Question about suntanning/burning

Factual Questions
1

I hope this isn’t too poorly worded:

Say I want to be outside just enough to tan, but not burn (or at least stay outside until just before I start to burn). When I reach that point, I go back inside. Then, let’s say that I need to go back outside for an extended period of time. How long would my skin need to (absorb? adjust?) the sun I’ve already been exposed to before I can go back outside before burning again?

Let’s see if this doesn’t make it more confusing: let’s say that I can absorb 10 units of sun before I start to burn. If I’m outside gardening for 8 units worth of absorption time and I go back inside. Then, I realize that I’ve got to go to a soccer game where I’ll be outside for the equivalent of 5 units time. If I head right out, I’ll burn, but how long would I have to wait before I wouldn’t burn?

I’m assuming that although I’m essentially absorbing ultraviolet radiation, it doesn’t necessarily get “stored” in the body, the color of my skin “blocks” part of it and anything above gets absorbed. In response to increased exposure, my skin will eventually darken to adapt to that level. How long does that process take? (That’s probably a better way of phrasing it than assuming that the absorbed ultraviolet rays dissapate somehow).

I know I’ve probably made a mockery of the science of this question.

2

As there are 4 or 5 different “skin types” I’d say your questions’ answers vary from type to type. Some people never tan, always burn, and some people always tan and never burn. Lots of people fall somewhere in between, with varying degrees of time spent tanning, then burning. If you are worried about tanning and then burning, why not just wear sunscreen after your tanning?

3

I think the result you want… to tan, no burn would depend, as already mentioned, on your skin type. Also, the time of day would be a factor. I seem to be able to take more time in the sun and not burn in the morning or evening. I just came back from Florida and I was giving this question great consideration. I wanted to tan without any burn. The first day I used spf 15 and then changed to 45. I went through various combinations of time, sunscreen, types of sunscreen, shade, light clothing, etc over the next 10 days. I know it is unhealthy to tan. I am reckless in that regard. I would doubt that skin could recover in a matter of hours. Obviously, caution would be the wise route. Obviously, not tanning makes the most sense. But, if you are like me and choose to tan anyway remember that it is easy to get more sun but impossible to “unburn”.