Skin Tanning !

What is tanning?

The tanning of skin is darkening of skin color. Skin tan is a visible proof that your skin has undergone cellular damage.

What causes tanning?

Skin tanning is mostly caused as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or from some other artificial sources such as tanning beds.

Sometimes, windburn or reflected light can also cause tanning. Some chemicals such as phthalates also cause tanning.

Windburn is the tanning (redness and irritation as well) caused due to exposure of high velocity winds.

How is tanning caused?

Melanin is a pigment that causes skin darkening. It is produced from cells called melanocytes. There are two types of melanin; pheomelanin (red) and eumelanin (very dark brown). Melanin functions in protecting the body from solar radiations of the sun. exposure to excessive solar radiations can cause damage to the skin directly or indirectly. The melanin is the body’s defence against the harmful solar r adiations and protects the skin by absorbing sun rays. More melanin is produced in order to accommodate more sun ray absorption and hence the darkening of skin results. 

What are Ultraviolet Rays?

The ultraviolet rays from the sun are of two types; Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays.

Ultraviolet A rays from the sun indirectly damages the skin. The melanin is oxidized which causes rapid darkening of the melanin. It also causes release of melanin from the melanocyte cells and redistributes it into the skin, while the total quantity remains unchanged. The effect of Ultraviolet A radiation thus only causes cosmetic darkening of skin.

These rays are not blocked by the ozone layer. They can cause skin burns, sun damage to skin and skin cancers. Sun screens cannot effectively block UV A, but clothing can!

Exposure to Ultraviolet B is blocked by the ozone layer. In this case, there is an increased production of melanin, and due to the time taken for the synthesis of melanin, tanning usually appears after 72 hours of exposure. This protects the skin damage from UV rays, and also from sun burn. It causes damage to DNA.

It is efficiently blocked by sun screens.

Beneficial effects of sun rays

The Ultraviolet B rays produce Vitamin D in the skin.

Harmful effects of sun rays

• Damages the DNA thereby damaging the skin
• Skin burn
• Skin cancer (melanoma)
• Premature skin ageing due to damage to dermis
• damage to eyes such as cataract

Facts to remember

• Water and snow are major reflectors of light. Therefore, snow skiing and water sports such as swimming are major risk factors for tanning. Always apply sunscreen before hitting the water or slopes!
• Certain antibiotics and oral contraceptives make the skin sensitive towards sun damage and sun burn.

Why do some people tan more than others?

Some people tan or sunburn more easily than others because of genetic factors of different skin types and skin color.

Sun burning or tanning behavior are not necessarily same, e.g. people with dark intermediate or olive skin rarely get sunburned but are often tanned while light or light skinned Europeans often get sunburned but occasionally are tanned.

How to avoid sun tanning

• Use of sun block creams or sunscreen lotions: block or protect the skin from harmful damage of the skin. The SPF (sun protection factor) is the level of Ultraviolet B protection provided by the sun block. More the SPF number, greater is the protection provided by it.
• Wear a sunscreen always, even on cloudy days.
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that acts against both UV A and UV B.
• Reapply sunscreen after every 1 & ½ hours -2 hours, and apply a thick layer.
• Use a water resistant sunblock while swimming.
• Wear a hat with a brim and sunglasses.
• Take frequent breaks from the sun, especially between 10:0 AM and 4:00 PM.
• Avoid tan lines by using full covering clothes in the sun.

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