More men than ever are tanning — and for good reason. A tan makes you look leaner, healthier, and more defined without changing anything else about your appearance. But most tanning guides are written with women in mind, and men have different skin, different challenges, and different priorities when it comes to getting a good result.

Whether you want to build a natural outdoor tan, try a tanning bed, get a spray tan, or use a self-tanner at home, the approach is slightly different for men — and getting the details right is the difference between a great result and a patchy, uneven mess. This guide covers everything: how each method works, how to prepare your skin, how to handle body hair, and how to make the tan last.

Key Takeaways

Men have thicker skin and higher sebum production than women, which affects how self-tanners apply and how quickly they fade
Body hair is one of the biggest challenges for self-tanning — application technique matters more for men
Exfoliating and moisturising before any tanning method significantly improves results
For outdoor and tanning bed use, SPF on the face and aftercare moisturising are non-negotiable for longevity
Gradual tanners are the best starting point for men new to self-tanning — they’re low-commitment and hard to overdo
Spray tanning is the easiest hands-off option for men who want a professional result without the learning curve
Timing around shaving matters — shave before tanning, not after, to avoid streaks and patchy fading
UV exposure may support Vitamin D production and testosterone levels, though this should never replace SPF protection

How Men’s Skin Is Different When It Comes to Tanning

Men’s skin differs from women’s in a few ways that are directly relevant to tanning. Male skin tends to be around 25% thicker due to higher androgen levels, and it produces significantly more sebum (natural oil). This combination means men’s skin can be slightly more resilient to UV exposure — but it also means self-tanners can apply unevenly, and the skin can feel greasy in ways that affect how products absorb.

Body hair is the other major factor. Chest, back, arm, and leg hair all create challenges for self-tanning that women’s guides simply don’t account for. The hair itself doesn’t take DHA (the active ingredient in self-tanners) the way skin does, which can create a streaky or patchy appearance if application technique isn’t right.

Understanding these differences helps you choose the right method, prep your skin correctly, and apply products in a way that actually works for your body.

The Main Tanning Methods for Men

Outdoor Sun Tanning

For men who spend time outdoors anyway — at the beach, playing sport, or working outside — natural sun tanning is the most accessible option. UV radiation from sunlight stimulates melanocytes in the skin to produce melanin, which is what makes your skin appear darker. The result is a natural, gradual tan that develops evenly with regular exposure.

The key for men is to not skip SPF. The idea that you need to bake unprotected to get a tan is a myth — using a moderate SPF (around 15 to 30) slows tanning slightly but prevents burning, which actually sets your tan back and damages skin over time. Apply sunscreen to your face every session regardless of what you do for your body. Men tend to overlook facial sun protection, and the face is where UV damage shows up first.

Rotate positions regularly to avoid burning any one area, and stay hydrated. For a deeper breakdown of how to build the best possible outdoor tan, see our guide on how to tan darker and faster without burning.

Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are popular with men who want a controlled indoor tan regardless of the season. The beds use UV bulbs to replicate sunlight, and you control exactly how long you’re exposed and at what intensity. For men who want to build and maintain a base tan year-round — or who want to prepare for a holiday — tanning beds offer a consistent and convenient solution.

A few things specific to men using tanning beds: if you have significant body hair, it won’t tan the same as your skin and will largely be unaffected by the session. This is fine — the skin underneath is what tans. Exfoliate 24 to 48 hours before your session, and shave any areas you want to look even and clean at least a day before rather than immediately before. Using a tanning lotion before each session helps your skin stay moisturised under UV and produces a noticeably deeper result. See our tanning bed time chart for recommended session lengths by skin type.

Spray Tanning

Spray tanning is the easiest option for men who want a professional, head-to-toe result with no effort and no UV exposure. A trained technician applies a fine mist of DHA solution to your body, which reacts with amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to produce a brown pigment. Research confirms the mechanism behind DHA-based tanning is well established and the results are temporary, typically lasting 7 to 10 days [Petersen et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018].

First-timers often feel awkward about the process — that’s completely normal and fades after your first session. What to do before: exfoliate, moisturise dry areas like elbows and knees, and shave at least 24 hours before your appointment. What to wear: loose, dark clothing and flip-flops. Avoid tight waistbands or underwear that will crease the tan before it develops. Don’t wash the tan off early — leave it for at least 4 hours before showering. Moisturising daily after the tan will help it last significantly longer.

Self-Tanning at Home

Self-tanners are the most accessible entry point for men who want control over their tan without booking appointments. They come in mousse, lotion, gel, and gradual formulas, all of which use DHA in varying concentrations. Applied correctly, modern self-tanners look completely natural — and for men specifically, starting with a gradual formula is strongly recommended.

Gradual tanners build colour slowly over several applications, which means any small mistakes in application are far less visible. They’re ideal if you’re new to the process and want to build confidence before trying a full-strength formula. Once you’re comfortable, a mousse or lotion formula gives you more control over depth of colour.

We recommend: St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse — a reliable, natural-looking formula that works well on all skin types including men’s oilier skin.

How to Prepare Your Skin for Tanning — Men’s Specific Tips

Good preparation is what separates a great result from a patchy one. These steps apply regardless of which tanning method you’re using.

Exfoliate Beforehand

Exfoliating 24 to 48 hours before any tanning session removes dead skin cells from the surface, which helps UV rays penetrate more evenly and gives self-tanners a clean, fresh base to develop on. Men tend to have thicker skin that benefits from a more thorough exfoliation — a body scrub or exfoliating mitt used in the shower works well. Don’t exfoliate immediately before tanning — give it at least a day. For the best technique, see our guide on how to exfoliate before tanning.

Moisturise Consistently

Hydrated skin tans more evenly, holds colour longer, and is significantly less prone to patchiness. Apply a body moisturiser daily in the days before your session — especially on dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists. These areas absorb self-tanner too quickly and go darker than surrounding skin if not properly prepped.

Time Your Shaving Correctly

Shaving removes the top layer of skin cells, which means it also removes colour if you’ve already applied a self-tanner — and freshly shaved skin is more sensitive to UV. The rule is simple: shave at least 24 hours before your tanning session, not after. If you’re using a tanning bed, this also reduces the chance of UV irritation on freshly shaved skin. For spray tans, our guide on shaving after a spray tan covers when and how to do it without ruining your colour.

Use the Best Tanning Lotion for Tanning Beds

If you’re using a tanning bed, don’t skip lotion. It keeps skin moisturised during UV exposure and noticeably deepens results. Our roundup of the best tanning bed lotions includes options suitable for men’s skin types.

Self-Tanning With Body Hair — How to Do It Right

This is where most men go wrong with self-tanning, and where most guides completely fail them. Body hair doesn’t react to DHA the way skin does, so the hair itself won’t change colour significantly — but the technique you use to apply self-tanner around body hair matters a lot.

For areas with significant hair coverage (chest, arms, legs), a mousse or gel formula works better than a thick cream because it’s lighter and penetrates through hair to reach the skin underneath more effectively. Apply in circular motions to work the product through the hair rather than just coating the surface. Blending thoroughly is more important on hairy areas — don’t apply too much product and don’t let it sit unevenly.

For the face and beard area, go very light. The skin around stubble is already uneven in texture and over-applying self-tanner there will look patchy. A small amount of gradual tanner blended well is the right approach — or skip the face entirely and rely on natural UV exposure for facial colour, which tends to look more natural on men anyway.

Always use a tanning mitt for application — it prevents stained palms and gives you much more even coverage than bare hands. If you don’t have one, our guide on how to apply fake tan without a mitt covers the alternatives. We also offer our own Blackout Tanning Mitt if you want a dedicated option.

Common Tanning Mistakes Men Make

These are the most frequent issues that lead to disappointing results — and all of them are easily avoided.

Skipping exfoliation: Going into a session without exfoliating means uneven coverage and faster fading. It takes five minutes and makes a significant difference.
Applying too much self-tanner in one go: More product doesn’t mean a deeper tan — it means streaks. Build colour gradually across two or three light applications.
Ignoring dry areas: Elbows, knees, and ankles grab self-tanner and go much darker than surrounding skin. Moisturise these areas before applying and use less product on them.
Showering too soon after a spray tan or self-tanner: Wait at least 4 hours for a spray tan and 6 to 8 hours for a self-tanner before getting wet. Rushing this washes away the developing pigment.
Not moisturising between sessions: A tan on dry skin fades fast and often patches badly. Daily moisturising after every session is the single biggest thing you can do to extend your colour.
Shaving immediately after tanning: It strips colour. Always shave before tanning, not after.
Skipping SPF on the face outdoors: Men tend to neglect facial sun protection, which leads to UV damage and premature aging. Use SPF 30 on your face every outdoor session regardless of what you do for your body.

How to Make Your Tan Last Longer

Getting a tan is one thing — keeping it is another. These habits extend any type of tan significantly.

Moisturise your entire body daily — dry skin sheds faster and takes your tan with it
Avoid long hot showers, which accelerate skin cell turnover and fade colour faster
Pat dry after showering rather than rubbing — friction removes the surface tan layer
Avoid chlorinated pools as much as possible — chlorine is harsh on tan colour
Top up your tan before it fades completely rather than letting it go fully and starting over

Does Tanning Increase Testosterone and Vitamin D?

This is one of the most commonly searched questions from men considering tanning. UV exposure — specifically UVB radiation — triggers Vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and Vitamin D plays a genuine role in testosterone production. Research has found that adequate Vitamin D levels are associated with healthier testosterone levels in men [Holick, New England Journal of Medicine, 2007]. Tanning beds that emit UVB can contribute to Vitamin D production in the same way outdoor sun exposure does — see our article on whether you can get Vitamin D from a tanning bed for more detail.

That said, Vitamin D from UV should be a side benefit of tanning, not the primary strategy for raising testosterone. Diet, supplementation, sleep, and exercise have a far more direct and controllable impact on hormone levels. And the Vitamin D angle is never a reason to skip SPF or overexpose yourself.

Tanning for Bodybuilders — A Slightly Different Approach

For men who train seriously, tanning serves a very specific purpose: definition. A tan makes muscles appear more defined and prominent, which is why it’s standard practice for bodybuilders to tan before competitions. The deeper the tan, the more pronounced the muscle definition appears under light. Self-tanners are typically preferred in this context because they provide a controllable, deep colour without any UV risk before an event. For a full breakdown of why this is such a standard practice in the sport, see our article on why bodybuilders tan so much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for men to go tanning?

Completely. Male tanning has grown significantly in popularity across all age groups — from casual beach tanning and self-tanners to tanning beds and spray tans. There’s nothing unusual about it, and the range of products and services available for men reflects how mainstream it has become.

What is the easiest tanning method for men who’ve never tanned before?

A gradual self-tanner is the lowest-commitment starting point. It builds colour slowly, is easy to apply at home, and any imperfections in application are barely noticeable. Once you’re comfortable with how it works and what shade suits you, you can move to a stronger formula or try a spray tan for a faster, more even result.

How do men self-tan their backs?

The back is genuinely difficult to reach alone. The most practical solution is a self-tanning applicator with a long handle, which gives you enough reach to cover the full back without help. Alternatively, a gradual tanner body lotion is much easier to apply all over — including the back — than a traditional mousse formula.

Should men use SPF when tanning outdoors?

Yes — always on the face, and ideally on the body too. A moderate SPF like 15 to 30 allows tanning to happen while preventing burning. Burning doesn’t produce a better tan — it causes peeling and skin damage that sets your colour back. Men are statistically at higher risk of skin cancer from UV exposure than women, which makes SPF even more important.

How long does a spray tan last on men?

Typically 7 to 10 days, though men’s skin — being oilier and thicker — can sometimes cause a spray tan to fade slightly faster than it does on women. Daily moisturising after the session and avoiding long hot showers are the most effective ways to extend it.

Can men use women’s self-tanning products?

Yes — the formulas are identical. There’s no meaningful difference in the chemistry of self-tanners marketed to women versus men. The main consideration is fragrance: some women’s formulas have strong scents that some men prefer to avoid. Look for fragrance-free or lightly scented options if that matters to you.

What should men wear to a spray tan appointment?

Loose, dark clothing and flip-flops. Tight waistbands, socks, or underwear pressed against the skin while the tan is developing will cause crease marks and uneven fading. Wear something you don’t mind getting a little product on, and plan to go straight home rather than to the gym or anywhere that involves sweating.

Final Thoughts

Tanning for men is simpler than it might seem, and the results — whether from the sun, a tanning bed, a spray, or a self-tanner applied at home — speak for themselves. The key is preparation. Exfoliate before every session, moisturise consistently, get the timing of your shaving right, and look after your skin between sessions.

If you’re new to tanning, a gradual self-tanner or a professional spray tan is the easiest way to get started without any commitment to a routine. If you want to build a natural tan, the outdoor or tanning bed approach just requires consistency and the right SPF habits. Any of these methods, done correctly, will give you a clean, natural-looking result — and once you find what works for your skin, maintaining it becomes second nature.

References

DHA & Self-Tanning Mechanism:
Petersen, A. B., et al. (2018). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. “Dihydroxyacetone, the Active Browning Ingredient in Sunless Tanning Products.” Study confirming the mechanism by which DHA reacts with amino acids in the skin’s outer layer to produce temporary brown pigmentation, along with its safety and efficacy profile.

Vitamin D, UV Exposure & Testosterone:
Holick, M. F. (2007). New England Journal of Medicine. “Vitamin D Deficiency.” Comprehensive review of Vitamin D synthesis triggered by UVB exposure and its systemic roles including associations with testosterone levels in men.