Can one tan in the shade?

Is it possible to tan in the shade?

Tanning is the result of the body’s exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, these rays can sometimes be reflected by certain objects or materials in our environment, allowing them to reach shaded areas. Under these circumstances, is it possible to tan in the shade? Continue reading to find out.

Published on March 24, 2023, updated on February 23, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading

≈ 25%

Parents use shade to protect their children from the sun in the United States (2005 estimates).

53.9%

A portion of the Japanese population prefers to stay in the shade to protect themselves from the sun (study conducted with 1,000 participants).

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Is it possible for skin to tan in the shade?

First and foremost, it is important to understand the mechanism of tanning. When the skin is exposed to the sun's UV rays, it responds by triggering melanin production in melanocytes. Melanin, the brown pigment that gives skin its color, then migrates to the surface of the epidermis to color and protect it. Indeed, melanin serves more than an aesthetic function: it absorbs part of the UV to protect DNA, cells, lipids, and proteins in the skin. Despite this, it's useful to know that about 15% of UVB rays still reach the basal layer and 50% of UVA reach the dermis.

When the weather is sunny, sitting in the shade does not completely protect us from UV radiation.

Indeed, elements in our environment—such as sand, snow, or the water’s surface—can reflect sunlight onto our skin. The skin then comes into contact with harmful UV rays, even when we are under a tree or beneath a beach umbrella. It is therefore entirely possible to tan in the shade. Nevertheless, the extent of tanning achieved depends on the type of shade and on the environment’s capacity to reflect UV radiation. For reference, the UV reflection index of several surfaces is presented in the table below.

Surface	UV ray reflectance index
Snow	≈ 80%
Sand	≈ 15%
Grass	≈ 10%
Water	≈ 10%
Concrete	≈ 10%

UV reflectance index for various surfaces.

Source: LINOS E. & al. Types of shade vary in protection just like sunscreens. JAMA Dermatology (2017).

It is also useful to know that a cloudy weather also creates shade without protecting the skin. Indeed, only large, dark clouds are able to block all UV rays. A mid-level cloud layer can block only 30 to 60% of the rays from the sun. Moreover, if the clouds are white and scattered, UV rays will reflect, and the radiation will increase by about 10%.

A study conducted in Sacramento, California, using UV sensors placed at various locations, made it possible to quantify the radiation received in two common shaded scenarios. The researchers measured UV levels in the shade of a beach umbrella and UV exposure in the shade of a tree, with sensors positioned in full sun and in these two shaded areas between 1 PM and 3 PM, corresponding to the peak solar irradiance period.

Configuration expérimentale globale, montrant les capteurs UV sous le soleil ou à l’ombre d'un arbre ou d'un parasol. — Overall experimental setup showing UV sensors in direct sunlight or in the shade of a tree or under an umbrella.
Source: SIVAMANI R. K. & al. Quantification of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the shade and in direct sunlight. Dermatology Online Journal (2019).

The results showed that tanning under a tree is still possible, since nearly 5% of UV rays still reach the skin in this configuration. Exposure is even more pronounced when tanning under an umbrella: over 17% of UV rays reach the shaded area. These data confirm that tanning in the shade is possible, but also that you can get sunburned in the shade when the sun protection is insufficient.

≈ 5%

UV rays reach the skin beneath a tree.

> 17%

UV rays reach the skin under a beach umbrella.

These observations highlight that not all shaded areas offer the same level of photoprotection. A dense shade cast by a wall or roof effectively blocks most direct radiation. Conversely, the filtered shade of a leafy tree, a beach umbrella, or a pergola allows a significant fraction of light through, which is further increased by reflections from sand, water, or concrete.

Thus, even without direct sun exposure, the skin can still receive UV radiation and therefore tan in the shade.

Even in the shade, you need to protect yourself from UV radiation.

Thus, because the sun’s UV rays can reach us even when we are in the shade, it is important to protect our skin under these conditions. Indeed, UV rays can cause irreversible damage, in addition to sunburns. They generate in our bodies free radicals capable of altering cellular membranes, but also of inducing changes to the genetic code, which can lead to mutations and even to the proliferation of cancer cells. By altering the structural proteins of the dermis, the oxidative stress is also responsible for accelerating skin aging.

It is therefore important to protect yourself from UV radiation by applying daily a sunscreen with broad-spectrum to the exposed facial and body areas. Also consider wearing sunglasses and a hat, as UV rays can also damage hair and the scalp. Finally, if you use clothing for protection, be sure to check its UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which measures its ability to block UV radiation. For instance, a UPF of 25 means the fabric lets through only about 1/25 of UVA and UVB rays.