Tanning Facts

A tan is the body’s inherent protection against sunlight. The Ultraviolet B rays induce the cells of the epidermis to produce more white melanin pigments. These on their way to the upper dermal layer are tanned by Ultraviolet A rays and the oxygen present in the blood. This is called indirect pigmentation. If the preliminary pigmentation has taken place, the skin will be immediately tanned by Ultraviolet A rays. This is called direct pigmentation. The usual thumb rule is to tan about 10 times in two or three weeks. In spring, tanning prevents spring fatigue, builds a skin-inherent light protection and prepares the skin for summer. In summer, tanning has the same advantages as that of spring. Additionally, a good tan is produced without the heat of summer. In autumn, tanning prolongs summer, gives healthy and relaxed looks and prepares the individual for winter. In winter, tanning improves health, provides rays of hope for a good mood and gives a dynamic appearance.

Indoor Tanning

Indoor tanning causes harm to the skin. Tanning takes place when the skin gives rise to additional pigment to save itself from the burn of ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to these rays may lead to eye injury, light-induced skin rashes, premature wrinkling of the skin and a raise in the possibility of skin cancer. The most popular device used in salons is called the clamshell-like tanning bed. The person lies down on a Plexiglass surface and lights from above and below reach the body. Earlier tanning devices used short-wave ultraviolet rays (UVB) that caused burning of the skin. Due to this current devices use long wave ultraviolet rays (UVA) as they are less effective in burning the skin. However it is doubted that they may lead to malignant melanoma and damage to the immune system.

Disadvantages of tanning

Some assume that turning light skin into a darker one displays an aura of good health. But a suntan causes skin damage. When the skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, the skin produces a pigment called melanin to save itself from burning. So, sunless tanning seems as a convenient alternative, usually between the winter months. But this practice is also not risk free. Sunless tanning devices like tanning beds and sunlamps emit Ultraviolet rays that are sometimes more powerful than the sun. Both types of ultraviolet rays, UVB and UVA give rise to wrinkling, skin aging, skin cancer and eye damage.

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