Myths and facts about suntan and its effects on the skin

To Tan or Not To Tan?

Summer, among other things, brings warm and sunny days when many, especially women enjoy sunbathing and getting an attractive, bronze-colored tan. This craze has never been so popular and each year more and more people give their best to expose their bodies to as much sun as they can, just in order to have their skin as dark as possible. This tanning process is triggered by the sun rays themselves. Namely, once we expose our bodies to the ultraviolet sun rays, they penetrate our skin, triggering the production of a protective pigment, melanin. Melanin makes sure our skin does not get burnt and guards us from any health conditions which might be triggered by sun rays. Thus, dark-skinned people are capable of spending more time in the sun than those who have a more fair skin color. However, there are numerous fears of possible skin damage which might happen during these exposures to sun or artificial forms of tanning. Some of them are true while others are considered to be absolute nonsense.

Fact or Fiction?

During the previous decades, when tanning beds started appearing, there was a claim that these devices are able to scorch your internal organs. This is, obviously not true since, even though both artificial and real sun may burn your skin or cause skin cancer and other diseases, they cannot possibly burn any of your internal organs. The same goes for cooking them, roasting them or any other common claims.

Another claim which deserves a reward for being the least possible one is that HIV or AIDS are transferable through tanning bed devices. However, everyone who considers him or herself sane can come to a conclusion that this is not true. These tanning beds are sterilized and cleaned before you enter them. Thus any microorganisms or any kind of air transmitted diseases are thereby exterminated. All in all HIV or AIDS cannot be contracted by breathing in the first place.

As for skin cancer possibility during sun exposure, this is true. You are to be careful and wear sunscreen each time you go out on a sunny day. Moreover, you should avoid the sun from 10am to 3pm and wear bright colored, protective clothing as well as sunglasses during this part of the day. This will make you protected and, unless you spend too much time in the sun or do not sunbathe smartly, you might develop a dangerous skin condition likecancer.

All in all, both indoor and outdoor tanning can be dangerous, if you are unprotected and exposed excessively. So, moderation is the key, and, by being smart and careful, you will have your beautiful tan with minimal risks.