Sun Tanning

Sun tanning means the process of providing the skin a darker shade in a natural physiological response due to the exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or sunbed. Due to excess exposure, sunburns may be formed. Due to the exposure to ultraviolet radiation the pigment melanin is released into the skin’s cells and hence darkening of the skin takes place. The ultraviolet rays responsible for tanning are called UVA and UVB. The UVB rays have more energy and thus are more damaging and carcinogenic. The UVB causes creation and secretion of new melanin in the skin, causes aging of the skin, produces Vitamin D, prolonged exposure may cause sunburn and it totally blocked by all sunscreens. The UVA causes the melanin to combine with oxygen, may cause melanoma, cannot be blocked by sunscreens and exists uniformly all through the day and all seasons.

Health Risks and benefits

Exposure to the sun for a long period of time may cause melanoma or sunburns. Sunburns are associated with skin damage and may lead to skin cancer. In the past few years, the ozone layer has been depleted and the amount of sunburns has increased. The thinning of the ozone layer has caused an increase in the UV radiation upto a dangerous level. An exposure to the sun for a prolonged time may badly affect the eyes if UV protected sun glasses are not used and the immune system might also be damaged. Insufficient UVB exposures cause Vitamin D deficiency, which thereby causes cancer, osteomalacia and premature death. Many deaths occur from melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Many of these can be avoided by apt sun tanning. UV radiation is also useful in treating skin conditions like psoriasis and veiling.

Preventive measures

Covering up the skin, wearing hats and avoiding direct sunlight are the methods to avoid sunburn. Alternatively, sunscreens and tanning oils may be used for exposure to the sun for a longer time. The Sun Protection Factor number on the sunscreen demonstrates its effectiveness. Higher the number provides more defence to the skin against solar radiation. Confirming that the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays is essential. A sunscreen has to be hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic so that it does not block the pores and cause acne. The sunscreen layer should be thick enough to get the full SPF protection. It should be reapplied after 3 hours or after sweating and swimming.

Recommended Reading

1. Natural Sun Tanning
The natural form of tanning is the sun tan. The ultra violet rays are responsible for skin tanning when exposed...
2. Tanning And Uv Rays
The term tanning refers to darkening of the skin especially the darkening of the fair skin. The most natural way...
3. Tanning Sunscreens
Most sunscreens block a very narrow band of ultraviolet radiation, known as UVB. 95 percent of the sun's rays, consisting...
4. Tanning And Cancer Hazards
The main reason of skin tanning is exposure to the sun. The ultra violet rays contain two types of rays...
5. Teen Tanning Hazards
Tanning is hazardous to the health of the teenagers. Parents of teenagers are always encouraged to inform their kids about...