Remember ‘Annie Hall’, the Hollywood classic where Alvy Singer quotes “Sun is bad for you”? We all are aware of skin tanning, the process of tanning or darkening skin color through exposure to the sun or with the help of a tanning bed. Well, I agree, moderate exposure of skin to the sunrays is beneficial for the body, since it aids in the production of vitamin D. However, exposing your skin to a little too much of UV rays, be it to the sun or tanning beds, can have a deteriorating effects on your skin. Let’s take a look at ‘how your skin suffers due to tanning’.

Disadvantages of Tanning

• The DNA of the epidermal cells of skin gets damaged due to UV rays, initiating enzymes that rush to rectify the damage caused. However, the fact is, these enzymes are not always successful in repairing the ruptured DNA and it ultimately triggers mutations that increase the probability of skin cancer. Moreover, continuous excess sun exposure is a bane in the form of photo ageing, which leads to spots, sagging and wrinkles on the skin.

 

• Solar UV rays are categorized into UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC poses no threat, since most of it gets absorbed by the Ozone layer. However, UVA and UVB are far more dangerous. Recent research has discovered that UVA can be more carcinogenic than UVB. It causes more harm to Karetinocytes or skin cells where majority of skin cancers initiate. The World Health Organization and The National Institute of Health have reported that both UVB and UVA are the initiators of skin cancers.

 

• It doesn’t matter where UV radiation comes from, sun or tan beds; it is associated with skin damage and skin cancers.

 

• A research in 2002 found that using tanning devices was linked to approximately 50% increase in the possibility of basal cell carcinoma and up to 100% increase in the chances of getting squamous cell carcinoma.

 

• The International Cancer Research Organization reported in 2007 that people who used tanning devices before the age of 35 had approximately 75% greater risk of developing Melanoma, a severe form of cancer.

 

• Devices like tanning beds often employ mostly UVA emitting fluorescent bulbs with little amounts of UVB. UVA emission through tanning devices has up to thrice the intensity of UVA in natural sun light. UVB radiation from an artificial source is almost equal to bright sunlight.

 

• People for tanning claim that it’s a good method for producing vitamin D by skin, essential for bone health and helps in reducing some cancers. However, the fact is, vitamin D can be obtained through supplements without risking your skin for these cancers.

 

• Tanning salons often claim that safe UV exposure is good for skin, however, studies have found that tanning salons often exceed “safe” UV exposure limit. Years of research has proved that sun bed tanning increases the probability of non melanoma and melanoma skin cancers.

 

• Exposure to excess UV light leads to the formation of wrinkles and makes the face rough and dry. It also leads to freckles, blisters and discoloration of skin.

This is about the various deteriorating effects of skin tanning on your skin. The trend that used to be considered cool in the 30’s is no more “in”. So I would just suggest, protect your skin and look healthy!