How Your Skin Tans

There are three components that make the tanning process work. UVB starts the process by stimulating the tanning cells (melanocytes) to produce melanosomes, which contain melanin (pigment). UVA darkens the melanin that has been produced, but before that can happen, melanin needs a certain amount of oxygen to facilitate the work that UVA performs. The third component, oxygen, comes from blood vessels beneath the skin and outside the skin. Of course, the tanning process can be optimized through the use of professional tanning lotions that contain nutrients for your tanning cells. A single tanning session can potentially take anywhere from three to 10 days to fully mature. This is called DPD or Delayed Pigment Darkening.

The Epidermis
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, melanocytes in the germinative layer produce melanin which is absorbed by the surrounding cells. This creates a protective barrier from ultraviolet light reaching deeper, more sensitive layers of the skin. This whole tanning process is the body's natural defense against sunburn and skin damage.

UVA
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
UVB rays are short, intense waves of energy, stimulating melanocytes in your skin to produce the pigment we call melanin.

FAQ's

Why isn't closing my eyes good enough?
Eyelids are not effective at blocking out UV light. A simple comparative test would be to close your eyes where you are at and look toward the available lighting. Now put your hand in front of your closed eyes. Did you notice a shadow passing in front of your eyes? If you did, that's showing you that the available lighting is still getting through your eyelids and reaching the back of your eyes. This is an illustration with visible light, but UV light penetrates just as easily. Cumulative long-term effects include loss of color perception, loss of night vision, macular degeneration (complete blindness except for peripheral vision), cataracts, and a permanent physical tissue build up that always looks irritated. Even using a towel over your face does not block out UV light completely, so be sure to use a pair of personal or disposable goggles every time you tan. Click here for more information on eye damage.

So, how do I prevent "raccoon eyes"?
Raccoon eyes occur for the same reason that some people who don't adjust the watch on their arm get raccoon wrist. Adjusting the protective eyewear occasionally during a tanning session will help to minimize this condition. The adjustment can be performed by gently sliding the eyewear to a new position. You should never lift the eyewear off of your eyes to adjust, though.

Can I wear my contact lenses while tanning?
Becaue tanning naturally draws moisture from the body, eyes are sometimes inconvenienced with contacts taht lose moisture too. Even with protective eyewear, eyes can dry out a little. If you are going to tan with your contacts in, it is recommended that you use moisturizing drops prior to or just after the tanning session to prevent any temporary discomfort.

What's causing that scent I smell after tanning?
In a word, melanin. Ultraviolet light in the UVA range causes melanin to enlarge and turn brown. During the process melanin releases its own distinctive scent. This release is as natural as the tanning process itself. The scent is easily removed with a shower.

Is it okay for pregnant women to tan indoors?
One concern about pregnant women tanning is the heat. Remember that the temperature around the baby remains relatively constant at 98.6 degrees, so the baby can take a little heat, but the same amounts of heat that would cause anyone to be uncomfortable (e.g. sauna, hot tub, hot sun during the summer) will also make the baby uncomfortable. Tanning beds usually do not produce enough heat for you or your baby to feel uncomfortable. But you should always consult your physician before tanning while pregnant. We have one tanning bed which is very roomy and contains air conditioning (the Avantgarde) which would be ideal for a pregnant woman.

Should people tan who have had skin cancer in the past?
NO! They shouldn't tan indoors or outdoors even though a doctor may have removed all of the skin cancer. You don't know whether or not another one may be forming in its place. It is also possible that another skin cancer may be developing somewhere else on your body. Although not every skin cancer is caused by overeposure to UV rays, most are. You don't want to contribute to pre-existing damage that has not yet surfaced. For those of you who have had skin cancer, but want to get tan, we provide UV-free Airbrush Tanning. Click here for more details.

What are the do's and don'ts of tanning with tattoos?
Persons with fresh tattoos have had chemicals injected into their skin that can make that local area very sensitive to UV exposure while the tattoo is still healing. So absolutely don't allow that area to tan. Either cover it up completely, if possible, or don't tan at all until the skin has healed. After the skin has healed (approximately 3 weeks), do continue to use moderate protective measures (such as sunscreen or tattoo stick over the area). At this point, the chemicals have lost any ability to photosensitize. The tattoo, though, will begin to lose its brilliancy with exposure to UV, whether that UV comes from indoors or outdoors. So preserve those tattoos by using lip balm, a good sunscreen, or a tattoo stick.

*All information taken from the International Smart Tan Network operator training manual*