Best Sunscreens and Self-Tanners for Psoriasis: Tips and Recommendations

Will Fake Tan Hide Sunburn?

Summer is prime time for soaking up the sun's rays. But too much sun exposure without protection can lead to red, painful sunburns. Once burnt, you may wonder if applying fake tan can conceal the evidence of your time spent soaking in those damaging UV rays.

First, it helps to understand what sunburn actually is. Essentially, too much UV radiation overwhelms your skin cells built-in defense mechanisms. This radiation damages cellular DNA, membranes, and proteins.

Resulting skin inflammation causes dilated blood vessels, triggered immune activity, fluid buildup between skin layers, and pain/redness we recognize as sunburn. This is your bodys healing response to significant skin injury from excess sun exposure.

What Is Fake Tanning?

Next, lets explore what exactly fake tan products are. Unlike true sunless tanning options that stimulate melanin production in your skin, fake tans simply coat the skins surface with a temporary bronzing effect.

Most contain DHA as the active ingredient, which reacts with dead skin cells to stain them darker. But DHA does not protect your skin in any way. It merely mimics a tanned look briefly until the coloring fades or exfoliates off.

Can Fake Tans Cover Up Sunburns?

So can fake tans hide the visible redness and color changes of sunburnt skin? Conceptually it seems reasonable. And many people do use them to obscure sunburns so they can still feel comfortable showing some skin.

Several factors impact how well fake tans mask sunburned skin. Timing of application and depth/severity of burn damage strongly determine outcomes. We will unpack how to optimize results while caring properly for damaged skin.

Choosing Quality Fake Tan Products

Not all fake tans are created equal. Using lower quality, inexpensive formulas often leads to spotty coverage, uneven tone, orange hues, and faster fading. When trying to conceal sunburns, product choices become especially important.

Seeking out reputable professional brands known for consistent, natural-looking color development can help achieve better coverage results. Here are features to look for in quality fake tanning options:

• Natural bronze hues (not orange tones)
• Streak-free, even color results
• Fast-drying formulas
• Fades evenly over time
• Moisturizing ingredients
• Simple application techniques

Caring for Sunburnt Skin

While using fake tan to hide sunburn may seem convenient, properly caring for your skin must remain the priority. Follow these tips to promote healing beneath the bronzed exterior:

1. Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed
2. Drink extra fluids to rehydrate damaged tissue
3. Gently cleanse with mild soap and lukewarm water
4. Apply soothing aloe vera gel liberally
5. Keep skin moisturized to aid recovery
6. Avoid direct sunlight until burn heals

Also consider taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to ease swelling and discomfort until your skin recovers.

Allow Healing Before Applying Fake Tan

You need to allow moderate sunburns to start healing before attempting to obscure them with fake tan. Applying self tanner too soon can irritate damaged skin and delay healing.

Here are some signs indicating sunburnt skin is ready for fake tanning products:

• Pinkness/redness has faded
• Skin is no longer hot and inflamed
• Pain/tenderness has resolved
• No fluid-filled blisters remain
• Peeling skin has fully exfoliated

Waiting for these skin changes prevents exacerbating burns further. Be patient to ensure proper healing first

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.