To think you can get a tan in the shade

[MoonsAndJunes]

Please help settle this 'debate'!
My friend says that if I stay in the shade I will never get a tan.
I think that it's possible to go brown even if you never sit directly in the sun... who is right?

I doubt it, the shade will be blocking the sun won’t it?

I don't think you can. The UVA and UVB rays can't go around corners?

Unless there's a mirror reflecting the rays onto you, I'm gonna say no you can't.

My dad goes to Spain for a fortnight every year & sits in the shade nearly the whole time, rarely venturing out in the sun but fully covered if he does - comes back brown & freckle every year!

I think you're right and that it is still possible to tan / burn in the shade, the suns rays bounce off things

That's what she says
I burn the minute I sit in direct sun so was hoping I was right!!

You can definitely burn in the shade so I'm sure you can tan too

@Lightsong I’d heard the same

I think you can if you’re outside, for example under a parasol or tree, so like in partial shade. I think some rays pass through some types of shade.

music That's what I thought! My Mum is tanned from endless sitting in her garden the shade but we're talking nearly all day, every day for months!!!

It's not absolutely pitch black in the shade is it? Of course you can tan.

You can tan/burn in the shade. Uv rayse gets reflected off all types of things, water, sand etc.

You don’t have to actively sunbathe to get a tan. You can catch some rays walking about.

It’s impossibe to get a tan staying in the shade as previous posters have said.

Ask your friend why is it possible for her to read in the shade. As in, how come she can see the book - aren't the trees / umbrellas / etc blocking the light? EVEN if there are no mirrors around...

In short, you are right.

*possibe

Yes, although it's much less likely. UV light bounces off the environment around you and can reach you. It just depends on your environment - if you're surrounded by sand, snow, pale stone, white walls etc it's much more likely than if you're under a tree on a lawn, as the rays will bounce much more.

Worth remembering - there is no healthy way to tan from sunlight! So keep up with your sunscreen even in the shade, and hit a bottle of Saint Tropez if you want some colour.

One more try- it’s possible

Any tan you get sitting in the shade will be minimal though coming armed to someone who is in the sun. Don’t forget you will tan Ealing about in the sun- those that claim to tan from being in the shade probably got their tan on the way there and back to the shade rather than from the shade .

I au paired for a little boy that wore stripey trunks on the beach. He got a stripey tan - the lighter colour must have let more rays through!

Walking not Ealing and compared not coming armed! Stupid phone!

Thanks all!! Currently lounging around again (in the shade) I hope those of you who say yes are right!!

No, that is physically impossible. You get the tan from the sun. I have often come home from very warm countries completely white as I cannot cope with the heat and actually do stay in the shade.

Depends what is causing the shade. Something solid like a building then no, but a parasol that isn’t blocking out everything then I imagine you could.

tell your mate to look up 'reflection'.

I know basic science and mn are a poor fit but some on here....jeez.

I've had melanoma so I always cover up and stay in shade. This summer I already have a slight tan despite wearing factor 50, wearing long sleeved tops and staying in the shade. It is definitely possible.

My baby has a tan (that's really bad isn't it ). She's been constantly in the shade