Look'n Good Tan

Myths and misconceptions about tanning

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Also known as bronzingin colloquial terms, Sun Tanning involves the exposure of the skin toultraviolet (UV) rays in order to darken it. A Suntan can happen naturally,while sunbathing for instance, or by using artificial aids such as suntanlotions , pills or tanning beds. Acquiring the perfect sun-kissed look is noteasy and the process is further complicated by the number of myths that arecommonly associated with it. The following are a few tanning myths that need tobe busted.   Sun protection is unnecessary on cloudy days Most people firmlybelieve that clouds offer some sort of natural protection against tanning orsunburn.   This belief has no basisbecause sunlight is made of UVA as well as UVB rays and clouds offer onlypartial protection against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer.Besides, UVA rays are present even in cloudy weather, so it is necessary to getadequate protection from the sun.   A traditional suntan is more dangerous than tanning beds One of the mostprevalent misconceptions about suntan today is that getting one naturally canresult in sunburn and/or skin cancer, while tanning beds are perfectly safe.This belief is based on the fact that UVA rays, which are considered to be saferthan UVB rays, are used in tanning beds. The truth is that both kinds ofradiation are equally dangerous for the skin.   Tanning is good for the skin Many people believethat tanning offers protection from sunburn because it blocks UV rays frompenetrating the skin and works as a natural barrier. In reality, tanned skin isdefenseless against UV rays in the absence of an external protection layer.Tanned skin is nothing but darkened skin and is as susceptible to sunburn asany unprotected skin. Tanning is also often associated with good health butthere is no scientific evidence to support this belief. Exposure to sunlighthelps convert inactive Vitamin D in the body into active form. Vitamin D boostsimmunity and prevents certain kinds of cancer. But only 10-15 minutes of dailyexposure to the sun without sunscreen is enough for this. Tanning usuallyrequires more time and increases the risk of getting skin cancer.   Sunburn is necessary for getting a suntan Sunburn that fades awayto reveal a perfect suntan is a myth that usually results in cases of severelyburnt skin and very little else. Sunburn causes tremendous damage to the skinin the form of wrinkled, aged and rough skin. It can also cause freckles andblotches. While it is necessary to get the daily dose of Vitamin D, it isequally necessary to get adequate sun protection while doing so. UVA and UVBradiation should be avoided at all costs, even if a tanning bed is being used.   All skin types need the same time for getting a tan There are various skintypes, each has different requirements and needs to be handled differently.   Getting a suntan is desirable but differentskin types have different levels of tanning abilities within the same timeframe. A particular type may require a few minutes to acquire that perfectbronzed look, while others may not be affected by hours in the sun. A fewsensitive skin types may even come out in blotches or freckles instead oftanning evenly.   For instance, olive skinis more susceptible to suntan while fair skin takes a much longer time to tan.   In conclusion Getting an even bronzedlook came in vogue during the 1920s when fashion icon Coco Chanel turned itinto a desirable fashion rule and it has remained so till date. Exposure to thesun also raises the level of Vitamin D in the body. However, excessive exposureto sunlight has detrimental effects and has been conclusively proved to causesunburn and more importantly, skin cancer. So be careful before you seek outthat golden, sun-kissed look.