How to Turn a Sunburn into a Tan (& Tan Without Burning)

After a day in the sun, you return home and notice that your skin is bright red. You came home with sunburn rather than a tan! Is there a way to turn your sunburnt skin into the tan of your dreams? Keep reading: we partnered with skincare experts to learn how to help reveal your tan by healing your sunburn quickly, plus whether sunburns always fade into tans. We also cover natural home remedies for sunburns that some people on the internet swear by, and how to tan safely!

How do you turn a sunburn into a tan?

Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner, MD, says tanning occurs with burning, which can give the illusion of a burn turning to a tan. Use these methods to help your sunburn heal faster and see if it leaves a tan behind:

Apply a cool compress or take a cool shower.
Drink water and stay hydrated.
Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or a neutral oil, like olive or canola.
Apply pure aloe vera gel with not dyes or added ingredients.
Take a vitamin D3 supplement within 1 hour after you burn.
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil or Motrin.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Turn a Sunburn Into a Tan

Download Article

1
Apply a cool compress or take a cool shower. The easiest way to calm the burn of a sunburn and promote healing is to apply something cool to the skin. Lay a cool compress (such as a cold wrung-out rag or towel-wrapped ice pack) on the affected skin, or run cool water from the shower over the skin slowly.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- This process may be painful at first, so go slow and take breaks between applications.
- Cooling the skin helps reduce redness, swelling, and pain.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Ellen Turner, MD, is a double board certified dermatologist and the founder of the Dermatology Office. Her focus is on providing elective aesthetic procedures.

Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a board certified dermatologist. While attending university, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society.

Diana Yerkes is a skincare specialist with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in helping others with their skincare needs.

Disclaimer: These tips and tricks won't automatically turn your sunburn into a tan, but they can help speed up and promote healing.
2
Drink water and stay hydrated. Sunburned skin is extra dry and inflamed, so ensuring your body has a good supply of water can help keep it protected. Stay hydrated inside and out to prevent too much skin from peeling. Experts from the Mayo Clinic recommend drinking at least 11 cups (2,600 mL) per day.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Water also can help with headaches, which are sometimes caused by sunburns.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  
  Go to source}
Advertisement
3
Apply moisturizer. Skincare specialist Diana Yerkes recommends that, as soon as you notice sun damage, make sure your skin is hydrated and supple.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Specialist

Expert Interview} To put a little life back into dry, sunburned skin, apply a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer to the affected areas. You can also try spreading a few drops of a neutral oil, such as baby oil, olive oil, or canola oil.
- Apply a moisturizer that doesn’t have added fragrances or scents, as they could irritate the skin more.
- Avoid exfoliating sunburnt skin, Yerkes adds. Exfoliating can make your sunburn worse and irritate the skin. Instead, treat your skin like a newborn's, giving it a lot of hydration and plenty of nutrients.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
4
Apply aloe vera gel. Aloe is one of the few natural ingredients widely known to provide relief from sunburns. Rub aloe vera gel on the affected skin as soon as you notice redness or feel pain. Repeat several times per day to keep pain and irritation at bay.^{[6]
X
Research source} Just be sure to use straight aloe, says board certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, not aloe mixed in with moisturizer cream, as "sometimes the stabilizers and preservatives [in] the cream can be detrimental" to the healing process.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- If you have an aloe plant, slit the leaves down the middle and squeeze them onto your sunburn to get a 100% natural soothing effect.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
5
Take a vitamin D3 supplement within an hour after you burn. Another remedy recommended by a lot of dermatologists is taking a high dose of vitamin D3 within 1 hour of getting a sunburn. According to Dr. Tareen, "[this] can really speed up the healing process… You don't even get the blister [or] the burn."^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} Research has also shown that taking 100,000-200,000 IUs of this vitamin in a single dose in the hours after you burn your skin can sometimes resolve all your symptoms within a day.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Note: Because vitamin D3 increases your body's absorption of calcium, it's a good idea to take a supplement that also has vitamin K2 in it. Vitamin K2 will push the extra calcium into your bones and teeth instead of letting it accumulate in your vascular tissue, where it can cause blockages.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
6
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil. NSAIDs are over-the-counter medications that reduce inflammation and relieve pain. If your sunburn is causing you a lot of discomfort, an NSAID like Advil, Motrin, or Aleve might bring you temporary relief while it continues healing.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
7
Apply a topical steroid ointment. Steroids are a type of drug that can reduce pain and swelling when they come in contact with the skin. There are many different types of steroid ointments available over-the-counter, such as the most common choice: hydrocortisone.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} To apply, gently rub a pea-sized amount over the burned skin, reapplying every few hours as needed.
- Talk to your doctor or primary care physician about which topical cream would work best for you.

Section 2 of 5:

Do sunburns turn into tans?

Download Article

Technically no, but healing your sunburn lets your tanned skin show. Dr. Turner says, “Sunburns do not turn into tans. Sunburned cells actually have become inflamed with too much UV damage. Tanned cells occur simultaneously with burning, which can give the illusion of a burn turning to a tan. A tan represents melanin covering the DNA of the skin cell in order to protect it.”^{[14]
X
Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- Dr. Tareen agrees, explaining that when your skin is exposed to UV radiation from the sun for too long, your body makes melanin to try to protect your skin from further damage.^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Those with lighter skin often burn faster than those with darker skin and have trouble going from a red burn to a golden tan. That's because their bodies don't produce as much skin pigment, or melanin. If your body naturally produces a lot of melanin, your burn might fade to reveal a tan after 1-2 weeks. If not, then your skin may return to its normal pale color.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- Dr. Turner says that any time your skin darkens after being exposed to the sun—from tanning or burning—it’s because too much UV exposure forced cellular changes, and that can disrupt the DNA, leading to precancers and skin cancers. She cautions, “Always wear sunscreen!”^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ellen Turner, MD
  Double Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Help turn your sunburn into a tan by cooling, treating, and moisturizing the skin. While a tan after sunburn isn’t guaranteed, following these steps may improve your chances.
- Reader Poll: We asked 187 wikiHow readers whether they tend to tan or burn in the sun, and 62% of them said that they tend to burn. [Take Poll] If you’re one of these people who tend to get sunburns easily, it’ll be more challenging for you to turn your burn into a tan.

Section 3 of 5:

Natural Remedies for Soothing a Sunburn

Download Article

1
Bathe in an oatmeal bath. Although it may seem like an odd choice, sitting in oatmeal can be a helpful tool for dealing with sunburns. Oatmeal has numerous healing properties, such as normalizing the skin’s pH level and soothing itchy and irritated skin. Simply run a cool bath and mix in 2 to 3 cups (32 to 48 US tbsp) of plain oats. Soak for 20 minutes, and then rinse.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Eczema Association
Nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with eczema through research and education

Go to source}
- Try adding ³⁄₄ cup (12 US tbsp) of baking soda for more moisturizing properties.
While many natural oils will moisturize and soothe dry skin just as well as commercial lotions do, coconut oil is an even better choice. In addition to providing moisture and giving burnt skin a healthy glow, it also gently exfoliates, removes dead skin, and promotes healing. All you have to do is gently rub the coconut oil into your skin and rest.^{[19]
X
Research source}
3
Apply whole milk to sunburnt skin. Milk contains lactic acid and antioxidants that may help gently exfoliate dead skin and cool inflammation. To try this home remedy, fill a bowl with milk and place a clean washcloth inside. Set the bowl in the fridge until the washcloth is cool, then apply the compress to your skin.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Avoid using sugary dairy drinks or yogurts to soothe the skin, as they could cause further irritation.
- While there’s no evidence backing up this natural remedy, there’s no harm in giving it a try!
4
Place chilled cucumber slices on smaller burns. Some people claim that a slice of cool cucumber on their skin helped elevate sunburn pain.^{[21]
X
Research source} Simply cut thin slices from a refrigerated cucumber and lay them across the affected area. The wider the cucumber, the better.
- If you’re having a hard time getting the cucumber slices to stick, try moistening your skin with a little oil or lotion. It acts like a glue.
- Keep in mind that this is a natural remedy and isn’t endorsed by skincare specialists.
5
Spray apple cider vinegar water on the skin. Apple cider vinegar can help restore the pH balance of the skin, which may soothe and speed up healing after a sunburn. To try this natural remedy, fill a spray bottle with ½ c (4 US fl oz) of apple cider vinegar and 4 c (32 US fl oz) of water, then spray it on your skin. Alternatively, pour the mixture into a bowl, dip a soft washcloth in it, and bathe your skin with the washcloth.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- Know that this natural remedy isn’t scientifically proven and may cause further irritation, so use it at your own risk.^{[23]
  X
  Research source}
6
Spread potato paste over your inflamed skin. While it may sound odd, some believe that the starch in potatoes can help rejuvenate your skin and promote healing. To try this natural remedy, grate a potato to form a starchy paste. Rub this mixture on the affected area gently, then wash it off after 20 minutes.^{[24]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that this is a natural remedy that isn’t usually recommended by skincare specialists.

Section 4 of 5:

How to Tan Without Burning

Download Article

Tan while wearing 30 SPF sunscreen, or use spray tan instead. The best way to avoid sunburn while tanning is not to try to tan outside at all. Instead, Dr. Turner suggests using spray tan "if you want color on your skin" without damaging it.^{[25]
X
Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} If you'd still rather tan outside, despite the risk of damaging your skin cells, here are some basic safety tips that may minimize the bad side effects:^{[26]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Wear sunscreen that’s at least 30 SPF or higher.^{[27]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes.
- Limit sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are strongest.
- Change suntanning positions often, such as flipping onto your back or side.

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Download Article

1
How long does it take for a sunburn to turn into a tan? It can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks for a sunburn to fade into a tan. It depends on how "bad" the sunburn is and whether your skin can tan at all.^{[28]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Sunburns typically go away within 3-5 days. However, the more severe the burn, the longer it’ll take to heal.^{[29]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Ideally, you want to wait until your sunburn is completely healed before attempting to tan again. This usually takes a few days to a week (or longer if it's a severe burn).^{[30]
X
Research source}
You can tan as often as you like, but it isn’t recommended. Your skin can become damaged after just 5 minutes in the sun or when exposed to UV radiation.^{[31]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Because of this, it’s recommended to avoid tanning indoors or outdoors and use self-tanning products instead.^{[32]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
Sunburn and tanning can cause long-term effects on your skin. The most prevalent include premature skin aging (e.g., age spots, wrinkles, etc.), skin cancer, and eye damage.^{[33]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Stay out of the sun until your sunburn has fully faded. If you must expose yourself to the sun, use a high-SPF sunblock to protect yourself.

Thanks
Helpful 124 Not Helpful 51
For bad sunburns, some peeling may be unavoidable. However, the methods above can help keep pain and irritation to a minimum during the healing process.

Thanks
Helpful 104 Not Helpful 55

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If your scalp got burned, you can part your hair in a different direction to mask some redness and protect the burnt area. In the future, wear a hat to keep from sunburns.
Try to stay at home as much as possible to decrease your chance of damaging your skin during the healing process.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Avoid using tea bag compresses or soaking in tea to alleviate your sunburn. These home remedies could dry out your skin and make the burn worse.^{[34]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0