| Q. What happens during the tanning process? |
| A. In light skinned races, the ultraviolet (UV)
light from the sun and indoor tanning lights stimulate the
melanocytes in the upper skin layer into producing melanin pigment.
The pigment has the effect of absorbing the UV radiation in
sunlight, so it protects the cells from UV damage. Melanin
production takes a fair amount of time - that is why most people
cannot get a tan in one day. By repeating this process over several
days pigment builds up in your cells to a level that is protective.
In a variety of other races melanin production is continuous, so the
skin is always pigmented to some degree. In these races the
incidence of skin cancer is much lower because cells are constantly
protected from UV radiation by melanin. Melanocytes actually produce
two different pigments: eumelanin (brown) and phaeomelanin (yellow
and red). Red heads happen to produce more phaeomelanin and less
eumelanin, which is why tanning effectively is more difficult for
them. Freckled people just have some cells that produce melanin more
continuously than others! |
| Q.
Is there a difference between tanning outdoors with the sun and home
tanning? |
| A. Both the sun and indoor tanning equipment emit
UVA and UVB, a combination of ultraviolet light which most
effectively produces pigmentation in the skin. The differences are
the times in which the tanning process takes place and external
factors involved in sunlight. These factors include time of year and
day, altitude, cloud coverage, pollutants, proximity to the equator,
reflective surfaces, etc. Indoor tanning is a controlled environment
and outdoor tanning is an uncontrolled environment, which can
increase your risk of sunburn. |
| Q.
Why do tans fade? |
| A. The tan, or pigmentation process, occurs in the
top skin layer. The skin replaces all its skin cells every 28-30
days. Cells in the inner portion of the top skin layer divide
themselves, migrate to the surface, then eventually die and slough
off. The melanin is stored in the skin cells. Therefore, a tan can
only be maintained by repeated exposure to UV light. |
| Q.
If I've never tanned in the sun, will I be able to tan indoors? |
| A. A person's ability to tan would be apparent
whether s/he tanned indoors or out. However, those who have found it
difficult to tan in the uncontrollable rays of the sun may find some
success with controlled indoor tanning and carefully timed tanning
sessions. In the end, skin type, heredity and individual
photosensitivities will determine who will have success tanning
indoors. |
| Q.
How often can I tan? |
| A. The FDA guidelines suggest that a person tanning
wait 48 hours between tanning sessions. Pigmentation or even sunburn
may not be fully visible for 12-24 hours after tanning. If you tan
again too soon, you may unintentionally burn yourself. In general,
if you carefully follow the exposure schedule for your bed, you
should get optimal color within 8-10 sessions. |
|
Q.
How do I measure time in the tanning bed so it equals an hour in the
sun? |
| A. It is nearly impossible to make a simple
comparison between time in the sun and time exposed to indoor
tanning equipment. Just as various types of indoor tanning equipment
differ in spectral output and energy emitted, the sun's strength
varies with conditions such as time of year or day, the latitude,
cloud cover, pollution and reflection. |
| Q.
When can I get maximum exposure to the sun's rays? |
| A. UVB irradiance is greatest between 10am and 2pm.
UVA is more constant throughout the day and can far exceed UVB. In
the Northern Hemisphere, UVB is more intense in the summer months. |
| Q.
Should I be worried about the depletion of the ozone layer? |
| A. A thin level of ozone surrounds the earth and
serves to filter a certain amount of UV, particularly the shorter
wavelengths. Ozone depletion is the subject of some controversy,
however, it is generally agreed to have impact on life on earth.
Even though indoor tanning can help gradually build protective
pigmentation (the body's own way of preventing UV damage to DNA),
you should take care to avoid excessive exposure when outdoors. |
| Q.
What are "self-tanners"? |
| A. Self-tanners are a lotions that contain a
chemical (dihydroxyacetone) that react with your skin's cells to
create a color that resembles a tan. Application is tricky, as
brands differ in strength and you have to use a lighter amount of
cream on different parts of your body (knees vs. thighs, for
example) to create an even, natural color. It takes time to learn as it's easy to look streaked or smudged, and has a tendency to
"pool" in the creases of your skin and create dark areas around the
neck, inside elbows, etc. In addition, unlike a natural tan,
self-tanners provide no protection whatsoever from UV light so you
have to be extra vigilant in applying a strong sunscreen whenever
out of doors. |
| Q.
Are "tanning pills" safe? |
| A. The active substance in tanning pills is called
canthaxin. Canthaxin is a food additive used for color. The FDA has
not approved its use for tanning purposes. Tanning pills work by
"dyeing" the skin an orange-like color, giving a tannish appearance.
Like self-tanning lotions, tanning pills provide absolutely no
protection from UV radiation from sunlight and it's imperative to
use a strong sunscreen when outside. The long term of effects of
canthaxin ingestion have not been determined. |
