The short answer is no. You won’t tan faster if you skip the sunscreen. But you’ll also be at risk of developing skin damage that could lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer.

But what about tanning beds? They use ultraviolet light, which can damage your DNA and lead to skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Tanning beds also emit UVA rays, which can cause premature aging. So it’s best not to use them at all.

Tanning without sunscreen is one way people try to get tanned skin quickly. But it’s not a good idea because it exposes your skin to damaging UV rays from the sun or tanning bed lamps — especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or if you have fair skin and blue eyes (like me).

Last modified: July 29, 2022