What is the maximum UV exposure required for skin types III and IV to tan safely?

For individuals with skin types III and IV, which typically tan more easily than lighter skin types, the maximum UV exposure required to achieve a safe tan ranges from 15 to 20 minutes. This duration allows for a sufficient amount of UV radiation to stimulate the production of melanin, leading to a tan, while still minimizing the risk of burning.

Skin type III generally exhibits a medium skin tone that tans more easily and rarely burns, while skin type IV has a medium to olive skin tone that tolerates more UV exposure before showing significant reactions. Therefore, limiting the tanning session to this time frame helps ensure that individuals can develop a tan while maintaining skin health and reducing the potential for harmful effects associated with overexposure to UV radiation. Choosing a duration longer than this could increase the risk of skin damage or overexposure, which is why the other options do not align with safe tanning practices for these skin types.