Direct Link Between Oxygen and Tanning
www.albertahomespas.com
Research indicates a direct link between tanning and adequate oxygen levels in the skin:
Ultraviolet light, whether produced by the sun or an indoor tanning unit, consists of two main energy components, UVA and UVB, both of which contribute differently to your tan. Indoor tanning equipment normally utilizes a carefully formulated and controlled mixture of these two light waves, designed to tan you with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this same control because the sun emits the entire spectrum of ultraviolet light, including the most intense rays (UVB) that burn you more quickly.
Your skin's epidermis consists of two layers: the germinative layer (sometimes called the "living" epidermis) and the horny layer (the "dead" epidermis). When exposed to ultraviolet light rays, melanocytes in the germinative layer produce melanin which is then absorbed by the surrounding cells. This creates a protective barrier to screen additional ultraviolet light so that this light cannot reach the deeper and more sensitive layers of the skin. This tanning process is the body's natural defense against sunburn and skin damage.
UVA is a longer ray that penetrates more deeply and slowly than UVB. The melanin in your skin absorbs the UVA rays, turning the pigment brown. UVB rays are short, intense waves of energy, stimulating the melanocytes in your skin to produce the pigment we call melanin.
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes in their body-about five million. But heredity dictates how much melanin your body's melanocytes can actually naturally produce. For example, the skin of African-Americans contains enough melanin to create a black or brown skin color, while the skin of Caucasians has less melanin and is therefore more pale.
As the melanin migrates to the surface of the skin to protect the body from burning, it combines with oxygen and turns the darker color we call a "tan". Skin with lower oxygen levels will burn rather than tan. So, it seems obvious, that the more oxygen in the body and available to the skin to help produce melanin, the darker the tan, the longer it will last, and the less likely the skin will burn.
Determine what kind of skin you have. Most people know whether they are light or dark skinned. This is important since people with fair skin and light colored eyes have to take extra precautions so they do not to get burned by the sun. (Did you know that most "fair" people can burn in less than 15 minutes of normal sun exposure!). The darker your skin tone, the more exposure to the sun you can handle without getting burned.
Figure out how close you are to the equator. The closer you are to the equator, the more likely you are to get sunburned. This is because you are closer to the sun.
You can burn faster at higher altitudes. UV radiation increases about 5% for every 1,000 feet above sea level you go. So, the higher in elevation you are, the quicker you can get sunburned.
Are you taking prescription medications? Many prescription medications contain chemicals that cause the skin to absorb more UV rays. For example, antibiotics, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants and most acne medications will cause your skin to burn rather than tan. If you are taking these types of medications, always use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating. It's the safe and prudent thing to do.
If you do get a sunburn, always apply lots of moisturizer lotion, especially lotions enriched with aloe and antioxidants. Remember that you have burned the skin. The capillaries have been damaged and blood has leaked out. You need to help repair these capillaries and provide the skin with nutrients to help the skin heal itself.
Always remember that the goal is to tan safely. There is a common myth that a sunburn will fade into a tan. This is not true. A sunburn is actually broken blood vessels that form on top of a tan. While it is especially bad to suffer from sunburns before the age of 21 since it increases your odds of skin cancer, a sunburn at any age can have serious side effects. These effects include loss of skin moisture, loss of elasticity, the formation of sunspots on the ski and possibly skin cancer.
Research indicates a direct link between tanning and adequate oxygen levels in the skin:
Ultraviolet light, whether produced by the sun or an indoor tanning unit, consists of two main energy components, UVA and UVB, both of which contribute differently to your tan. Indoor tanning equipment normally utilizes a carefully formulated and controlled mixture of these two light waves, designed to tan you with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this same control because the sun emits the entire spectrum of ultraviolet light, including the most intense rays (UVB) that burn you more quickly.
Your skin's epidermis consists of two layers: the germinative layer (sometimes called the "living" epidermis) and the horny layer (the "dead" epidermis). When exposed to ultraviolet light rays, melanocytes in the germinative layer produce melanin which is then absorbed by the surrounding cells. This creates a protective barrier to screen additional ultraviolet light so that this light cannot reach the deeper and more sensitive layers of the skin. This tanning process is the body's natural defense against sunburn and skin damage.
UVA is a longer ray that penetrates more deeply and slowly than UVB. The melanin in your skin absorbs the UVA rays, turning the pigment brown. UVB rays are short, intense waves of energy, stimulating the melanocytes in your skin to produce the pigment we call melanin.
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes in their body-about five million. But heredity dictates how much melanin your body's melanocytes can actually naturally produce. For example, the skin of African-Americans contains enough melanin to create a black or brown skin color, while the skin of Caucasians has less melanin and is therefore more pale.
As the melanin migrates to the surface of the skin to protect the body from burning, it combines with oxygen and turns the darker color we call a "tan". Skin with lower oxygen levels will burn rather than tan. So, it seems obvious, that the more oxygen in the body and available to the skin to help produce melanin, the darker the tan, the longer it will last, and the less likely the skin will burn.
Determine what kind of skin you have. Most people know whether they are light or dark skinned. This is important since people with fair skin and light colored eyes have to take extra precautions so they do not to get burned by the sun. (Did you know that most "fair" people can burn in less than 15 minutes of normal sun exposure!). The darker your skin tone, the more exposure to the sun you can handle without getting burned.
Figure out how close you are to the equator. The closer you are to the equator, the more likely you are to get sunburned. This is because you are closer to the sun.
You can burn faster at higher altitudes. UV radiation increases about 5% for every 1,000 feet above sea level you go. So, the higher in elevation you are, the quicker you can get sunburned.
Are you taking prescription medications? Many prescription medications contain chemicals that cause the skin to absorb more UV rays. For example, antibiotics, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants and most acne medications will cause your skin to burn rather than tan. If you are taking these types of medications, always use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating. It's the safe and prudent thing to do.
If you do get a sunburn, always apply lots of moisturizer lotion, especially lotions enriched with aloe and antioxidants. Remember that you have burned the skin. The capillaries have been damaged and blood has leaked out. You need to help repair these capillaries and provide the skin with nutrients to help the skin heal itself.
Always remember that the goal is to tan safely. There is a common myth that a sunburn will fade into a tan. This is not true. A sunburn is actually broken blood vessels that form on top of a tan. While it is especially bad to suffer from sunburns before the age of 21 since it increases your odds of skin cancer, a sunburn at any age can have serious side effects. These effects include loss of skin moisture, loss of elasticity, the formation of sunspots on the ski and possibly skin cancer.
posted by Alberta Aquam Home Spas at
8:32 PM
<< Home