A Guide to Tanning

A Guide InTanning

Up to 80% of Americans under the age of 25 think that they look better with a tan.

The sun emits UVA and UVB rays. UVB radiation is what burns the outer layer of skin causing sun burns. UVA radiation is the kind that penetrates into your lower layers of skin. Once there they trigger cells called melanocytes which in turn produce melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that is tanning. It is the bodies way of protecting against sunburn.

            UVA Rays can go all the way to the dermis, damaging the nerves and blood vessels. This can also significantly reduce the effectiveness of your immune system. This can lead to Melanoma, the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer.

            There are more than one million new skin cancer cases diagnosed annually. A short while ago, it was mostly older people who were diagnosed with skin cancer. Now, more and more people in their early twenties and late teens are becoming affected by it.

            The main treatment for skin cancer is excision (cutting the tumour out). Since skin cancer often occurs on the neck and face, cutting them out can leave people with facial scars.

            Exposure to UVA rays can also cause premature skin-aging.

Sunscreens or sun blocks are the best against damage because they protect you without interfering limiting your comfort or fun. The SPF number on a sunscreen shows the level of protection it gives. A higher SPF means a higher amount of Rays are blocked out.

·         Wear sunscreen with at least 15 SPF everyday.

·         Use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and put on enough of it.

·         Always reapply sunscreen every couple of hours.

·         Take frequent breaks.

·         Wear a hat with a brim.

If you still want to have a tan without any of the problems of sunburn and skin cancer, try a spray-on tan. These contain dihydroxyacetone, which stains the dead cells in your skins outer layer. The tan lasts until the skin cells are removed, which varies depending on how vigorously you scrub. You can buy a bottle of it yourself and get a friend to help spray the hard-to-reach areas. Or you can get an airbrush tan done by a professional. Just remember you still need to apply sunscreen to go outside.