December 30, 2024

Tanning Safely: Tips for Nudists

No tan lines is arguably one of the most popular and fun benefits of tanning naked, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Anyone interested in nude tanning should research precautions beforehand, so you can enjoy your time in the sun without worrying about the hazards. 

One of the most common questions people ask me about visiting nude beaches is “How do you protect yourself from the sun?” Okay, so that’s obviously not what people are asking me BUT in essence, it is. You see, the question is usually much more candid and direct like, “How do you not get sunburned on your (insert any intimate body part here)?” Regardless of what body part they happen to be most concerned with, the point is this: they have sun protection on the brain. And it’d be weird if they didn’t! 

Skin Care For Nudists

We grow up learning about how important sun care is and when visiting a nude beach this importance only increases. If you’re one of those lucky people who never seems to burn, don’t push your luck at a nude beach. You need sunscreen too. Plus, who wants to take that risk of finding out if their ENTIRE body is immune to sunburns? Not me! And I wouldn’t recommend anyone else take it either. 

Listen up total tanners aka nudists – you need to put PABA-free UVA/UVB sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 30 everywhere external. This includes nipples, penises, breasts, vulvas, thighs, buttocks, feet, and other sensitive places that aren’t often exposed to UV rays and are therefore at more risk to sunburn and blistering than your other body parts. If you know you have very sensitive skin, take the SPF up even higher as you can never be too careful. (However, scientists have recently found that anything above 30 offers only a small amount of extra protection, so know going into it that sunscreen is not an impenetrable fortress.) Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen does not inhibit your ability to tan. It just protects your skin from cancer and premature aging. So slather it on! 

Also, obviously when tanning naked, standard sun care rules apply. As a quick refresher, applying sunscreen every 2 hours is a MUST. If you’re swimming and sweating, then apply even more frequently than that, and like all sun goers, you must take breaks! Take a timeout underneath an umbrella and cool off with a drink and enjoy the scene. This is recommended for clothed tanners too, so it is a non-negotiable for nudists. And don’t forget your sunglasses. You get one set of eyes, so take care of ‘em!

What Products To Use

As Dr. Rodriguez, assistant professor of gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine explains, “For all parts of the body, sunblock, protective clothing, and shade are the way to go. Sunburns… increase the risk of both cancer and wrinkles, so use protection.” Products like Badger Sunscreen, an organic natural sun protection line, along with Soleo Organics and California Baby Sunscreen, provide optimum coverage without the health risks associated with mainstream sunscreens. They’re also sensitive enough for children, so they are great for less exposed areas of the skin.

If you’re still not into sunscreen and feel strongly averse to using it for personal reasons, I would first suggest that maybe total tanning isn’t for you. The sun is powerful and poses a lot of health concerns as mentioned above, so maybe go in an opposite direction and cover up a bit in lieu of sunscreen. If you must tan in the nude, but will absolutely not use sunscreen, I strongly recommend some sort of natural SPF substitute such as coconut oil combined with red raspberry seed oil – see here for the recipe to try it yourself! 

Don’t Skip This Step

No matter what you use, as a precaution, make sure you try a small area before diving in and dowsing yourself with the product. You could be setting yourself up for failure. Ever cleaned a rug? The same rules apply here. You have to test the cleaner on one small part of the carpet before you go using it around your whole house. Likewise, you must use it on one small part of each of your sensitive areas until you’re 100% sure your body is not reacting negatively to it. 

What Products To Avoid

Baby oil is an old school standby that a lot of people tout as being the ideal substance for tanning. This is because the oil creates a reflector allowing the UV rays to penetrate your skin more deebly, causing a brown color. But this is no way to go. You can seriously burn using the product ESPECIALLY if you’re nude. On top of the burn risk, you can guarantee that you are getting zero protection from the harmful rays, putting you in the maybe zone for skin cancer and wrinkles. Yikes!

Iodine mixed with baby oil is another old favorite amongst veteran tanners. But again, it’s not good for you. The iodine doesn’t change anything. Leave the past in the past and use some 2020 sun protection formulas. Your skin will thank you! 

What Products To Try

Everyone’s body is different. You may get lucky and find the right product for you on the first try or you may need to try a variety of concoctions to discover what works best. Just remember to avoid getting discouraged during your investigation. Your skin health is worth the trouble. Nude tanning may have its risks, but all the time spent in the sun has this in common, so it’s a risk worth taking in my opinion. And of course, no tan lines are truly amazing to behold if you’re into that sorta thing. If you’re not a tanner, I would say still try it. There’s something to be said for baking in the sun completely unclothed. Feeling the sun soak into my body leaves me feeling energized and rejuvenated every dang time. But don’t take my word for it… Read more about how great it is to visit a nude beach! 

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