Tanning and Sunless Tanning Methods
Sun tanning is the darkening of the skin, especially
of fair-skinned individuals, in response to exposure to ultraviolet
radiation from sunshine (or a sunbed).
The darkening of the skin is caused by an increased
release of the pigment melanin into the skin's cells. This pigment
is produced by cells called melanocytes, and protects the body by
absorbing harmful solar radiation.
A suntan has often been seen as attractive, though
this is variable and susceptible to the whims of fashion. The wish
of some to look well-tanned, combined with the modern concern about
overexposure to the sun, (which has been linked to melanoma) has led
to the production of products that give the appearance of a suntan
without any exposure to the sun. (See fake tan.)
A study by a Dr. Anthony Liguori and others, published
in the July 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
Part 1, suggests that indoor sun tanning may be addictive. The UV
content of the sun's rays stimulate the production of endorphins,
resulting in a natural "high".
See: Ultraviolet
exposure is a reinforcing stimulus in frequent indoor tanners
Studies undertaken by George Washington University
and Sydney University suggest that the UVB component of sunlight damages
the skin. To avoid sunburn, sunscreen, tanning oil or creme are used.
Fake Tan
A fake tan is an artificial type of suntan, usually
created by using certain types of makeup. Fake tans are helpful in
white-skinned individuals in that they allow tanning without exposure
to the sun, so that they can be resistant to the sun's radiation.
Tanning products, both sunless and sun, go to work
on the epidermis, or the outside layer of your skin, and not the dermis
or inner layer. However, the layer of epidermis that is affected by
sunless versus the layer affected by sun tanning products differs.
Sun tanning lotions, sprays, gels and other assorted
items, go to work on the stratum basale or deepest layer. And sunless
tanning items go to work on the stratum corneum or outermost layer.
Sunless Bronzers
Some sunless tanning products
come in the form of moisturizers (as lotions
and crèmes) and powders and are referred to as bronzers. Basically
you simply apply these to your skin as you would make up products
for a temporary "tan" appearance, similar to the effects
of applied makeup leaving a "tint." Then you just wash the
bronzers off with soap and water; the "tan is removed with washing.
Caution is needed so that the
products do not stain clothing or other fabric. And care needs to
be taken so that the applications do not streak or run when wet, similar
to the results of mascara running. And finally, make sure that if
you wear these products outdoors, they contain sunscreen in the ingredients;
otherwise wear protective clothing, eyewear, etc.
A tanning bed or sunbed is a device emitting ultraviolet
radiation (usually UVA, but recently also UVB) used for cosmetic reasons
(to induce an artificial tanning) but also for medical reasons.
Because of several adverse effects to the human health,
the World Health Organization does not recommend the use of UV tanning
devices for cosmetic reasons.
Tanning Lamps / Indoor Tanning Tips
Tanning booths and lamps, unfortunately, can have
the same bad effects on the body as direct sunlight. The equipment
emits UV rays that are just as damaging as the sun's.
Some measures to take towards safety when using this
type of equipment are closely monitor sessions, keeping to the minimum
number and timed lengths that are recommended, don't book sessions
closer than every-other day.
ALWAYS wear recommended safety eyewear, follow safety
and other directions that come with the equipment or are (or should
be) posted near it, and do place some sort of protection like a thin
piece of acrylic between your body and tanning lamps.
(Check for this possibility with booths, too, by asking
the host or reading the equipment's instruction booklet).
Sunless Tanning Booths
Sunless tanning booths are becoming more popular.
With an air compressor and an airbrush delivery system in one of these
booths, skin receives a "tan." What happens is that pistons
in the compressor quickly press or force air out via a nozzle in an
airbrush or spray head.
This air mixes with a tanning solution containing
DHA that's inside compartments within the airbrush, and sprays this
in a fine mist over the outer skin layer. Some tanning booths have
up to 36 of these airbrushes connected to the compressor and they
are all either in fixed positions or moving.
Thus tanning clients then either move under fixed
sprayers so that skin is covered all over. Or else the tanner parts
move to spray the different body parts (these types pose more mechanical
maintenance issues though.)
Many report a more professional-looking, smooth and
even tanning that even covers hard-to-reach areas like cheeks and
shoulders. Note that the tanning solution used in the machine most
probably has no sun protection component; so if you are heading outdoors,
protect your skin appropriately.
Tanning Accelerators
For a speedier tan, you might elect to try a tanning
accelerator. Generally sold as lotions or pills, these products list
an amino acid called tyrosine in with the ingredients.
This amino acid is reported (but not proven) by some
users to increase the production of melanin, speeding up the tanning
process. Again, these are not FDA-approved solutions or drugs.
A different type of sunless-tanning pill on the market
today lists canthaxanthin,
a color additive for food, as an ingredient. The FDA has approved
of this substance with use in foods and only small amounts are added.
However, as with tyrosine, canthaxanthin has NOT been approved by
the FDA.
In actuality, to tan with this, you would need large
amounts. And the results would likely be an orange-brown- colored
tan, and possible side effects; hepatitis or a retinopathic condition
with yellow deposits forming in eye's retina.
Vitamin D
Some people worry about vitamin D deficiency when
using sunless-tanning products and staying out of the direct sunlight.
And they reach for supplements and increase their intake of foods
that contain Vitamin D.
Others turn to outdoor tanning for longer periods
thinking that this will help them benefit more from increased exposure,
more vitamin D. However, the scoop is the average person doesn't need
to be out in the sun that long to get the recommended vitamin D amount
needed via their body's absorption.
Depending upon genetics, skin coloring, region and
climate, for example, a person only needs between five and maybe 10-15
minutes per day, around the middle of the day, three or four times
during the week. Less can work for those in warmer, sunnier regions.
Melanin
The hormone, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone,
is made when the body is exposed to sunlight and is responsible for
the development of the pigment melanin.
Research is being done to create stable artificial
forms of the hormone. A promising candidate, melanotan,
might be useful in the prevention of skin cancer, by causing tanning
without exposure to sunlight.
Some parts of this report are from Wikipedia
Sunless Tanning Resources
Tanning Pills
Tanning Lotions
Tanning Beds
Sunless Tanning Tips
Sunless Tanning:
Tips For A Safe, Gorgeous Tan
Safe Tanning Ideas
Tanning The Natural
Way
Top 4 Sunless
Tanning Methods
Tips to
Choosing a Tanning or Sunscreen Agent
The Story Behind Indoor
Tanning
Tighter Regulations
on Indoor Tanning
Indoor Versus
Outdoor Tanning
Risks Of Tanning Beds
- Not All They Are Hyped Up To Be
Tanning Booths - Safer
Than You Think!
