The Tanning Culture

To many, summer is a period to hang out in the pool or beach. In their quest to achieve a golden tan, teens take the risk and bathe under the sun. Almost 80% of people less than 25 years old feel good when they are tan.

In the United States and other countries, it was more desirable to be pale. Being tan means more time is spent in doing manual labor. Being pale was a status symbol for being wealthy.

The outlook changed in the 1920s when the designer Coco Chanel started a new fashion craze. From paleness, tans became the symbol of wealth.

How Tanning Affects Your Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects the body from the external world. It is made up of cells that protect the immune system against infections.

UVB radiation affects the epidermis of the skin, causing sunburns, whereas UVA radiation, which finds its way to the dermis of the skin, causing tanning. UVA is associated with skin aging and UVB rays with skin cancer. However, studies revealed that UVA may be crucial in skin cancer as well.

Tanning is a proof that the skin is being damaged. As ultraviolet radiation touches your skin, a brown pigment called melanin is formed as a result of the stimulation of melanocytes. The sun causes the melanocytes to produce more melanin to protect the skin.

Protecting Yourself

Finding the right balance between protection and activity is the best protection to the skin. One of these defenses is the sunscreen. The sunscreen’s SPF number indicates the protection level. The higher the number, the better protection it offers.

The following are some steps to protect your skin from damage. Following them can help lessen the risk of skin cancer:

• On a daily basis, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 should be worn. A moisturizer with a sunscreen is another option if a pure sunscreen is not worn.

• Sunscreens should be hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. Always ensure that UVA and UVB rays are blocked by your sunscreen.

• Apply your sunscreens properly to ensure full SPF protection. Switch to a higher SPF if you don’t get the proper protection from your current sunscreen

• Sunscreen must be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours when outdoors or after swimming and sweating. When in direct sunlight, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF. When involved in sports, use a waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen.

• Take frequent breaks from 10 am to 4 pm. The rays of the sun are strongest during these hours.

• A hat with a brim as well as sunglasses must be worn.

• The amount of UV radiation is increased by reflective surfaces like water and snow

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The Tanning Culture