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Sun tanning describes a darkening of the skin (especially of fair-skinned individuals) in a natural physiological response stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunshine (or a sunbed).

Cause and effect

Darkening of the skin is caused by an increase in the release of the pigment melanin into the skin's cells after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes and protects the body from absorbing an excess of solar radiation, which can be harmful. Tanning is a symptom of skin damage and habitual tanning can have a long term effect on health. Skin cancer (which is epidemic in Australia and the United States) and signs of ageing such as early wrinkling, brown spots, blotchiness and sagging are possible consequences, all of which can make the skin look older than it is.

Cultural history

Culturally, a suntan may be regarded as attractive although this is susceptible to the whims of fashion. In ancient Rome, women deliberately lightened their skin with lead based cosmetics. During much of the 18th and 19th centuries fair, freckleless skin was considered attractive, especially in women, since tanned skin was associated with manual labour such as on a farm or in the outdoor employ of a wealthier person. Having fair skin signified socially that one was wealthy enough to hire other people to do menial labour. In 18th Century France members of the royal court emphasised this point by powdering their faces to look as white as possible. Fashions changed along with socio-economic shifts during the early 20th century and when famous fashion designer Coco Chanel accidentally acquired a dark tan during a vacation on the French Riviera in the 1920's, she ignited a fad for tanned skin. By the 1960s a tan's earlier social significance had been reversed and bronzed skin often signified social status, wealth and good health.

In 1985 however, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) launched a public education program warning about the risks of overexposure to the sun and in 1988, modeling agency director Eileen Ford said, "The tanned look is dead." By 1990, 600,000 new cases of skin cancer had been diagnosed and 27,600 of these involved malignant melanoma. That year there were 6,300 deaths from melanoma and 2,500 deaths caused by squamous cell carcinoma and the incidence of these skin diseases continued to rise. Although these risks were widely publicised, in a 1997 Seventeen magazine survey , two thirds of teens responding said they "look better with a tan and feel healthier, more sophisticated," and half said they looked "more athletic."

Risks

Despite popular notions that a suntan denotes good health, little sunlight is needed to fulfill the body's needs for Vitamin D. Overexposure to the sun has been linked to melanoma and studies undertaken by George Washington University and Sydney University suggest that the UVB component of sunlight damages the skin. Too much sun can also lead to eye problems if 100% UV Protected sun-glasses aren't worn, along with damage to the immune system.

Concerns about skin damage due to UV exposure have resulted in the development of products which give the appearance of a suntan without exposure to the sun (see sunless tanning).

A study by 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. Ultraviolet light stimulates the production of endorphins, resulting in a natural sensation of well-being.

Prevention

To avoid sunburn, sunscreen, tanning oil or creams are used. The SPF number on a sunscreen product shows its rated effectiveness. Products with a higher SPF number are those designed to provide more defense for the skin against the effects of solar radiation. However, in 1998 the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science reported that some sunscreens advertising UVA and UVB protection do not provide adequate safety from UVA radiation and could give sun tanners a false sense of protection.

For those who choose to tan, some dermatologists recommend the following preventative measures:

• Make sure the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays. These types of sunscreens, called broad-spectrum sunscreens, contain more active ingredients. Ideally a sunscreen should also be hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic so it doesn't cause a rash or clog the pores, which can cause acne.

• Sunscreen needs to be applied thickly enough to make a difference. People often do not put on enough sunscreen to get the full SPF protection. In case of uncertainty about how much product to use, or discomfort with the amount applied, switching to a sunscreen with a higher SPF may help.

• Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours and after swimming or sweating. In direct sun, wear a sunscreen with a higher SPF (such as SPF 30). For playing sports the sunscreen should also be waterproof and sweatproof.

• The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so frequent shade breaks are recommended during these hours.

• Wear a hat with a brim and anti-UV sunglasses which can provide almost 100% protection against ultraviolet radiation entering the eyes.

• Be aware that reflective surfaces like snow and water can greatly increase the amount of UV radiation to which the skin is exposed.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of sunscreens, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun altogether.

External links

• Ultraviolet exposure is a reinforcing stimulus in frequent indoor tanners
• History of Suntanning
• BBC info page on tanning
• Sunless Tanning
• Tips on safe tanning

• Sun tanning
• Dermatology
• Human appearance