Sun Tanning Good for Us? Read to Know

Every individual wants to look healthy and attractive, and so, there are many measures that we take for our appearance. You must have heard a lot about the benefits of tanning for your skin’s appearance. Interestingly, there are many options for tanning, such as in the salon and even under the sun! So, you must be wondering if you can get a tan under the sun without spending extra bucks in the salon, aren’t you?

However, every possibility has some underlying opportunities as well as pitfalls. The following discussion would help you find out the pros and cons of tanning under the sun and the best ways to get tanned by the sun. In addition, the discussion would also focus on the best ways for the removal of tanning due to the sun.

Sun Tanning Process

In order to understand the sun tanning process, we need to look into what the sunlight actually brings to us. Well, there are three basic things to look out for- visible light, heat i.e., infrared light, and then we have the ultraviolet light. Does ultraviolet light cause tanning? The obvious answer would be a resounding “YES”! However, the whole of ultraviolet light does not help in tanning.

Only the UVA rays in ultraviolet light in the range of 315 to 400 nm wavelengths, also termed as black light, helps in tanning. So, exposure to ultraviolet light of the sun could result in a response from melanocytes in our skin. The response of melanocytes involves the production of melanin pigments, which have the capability of absorbing UV light, thereby safeguarding cells from UV damage.

Let us dive a little deeper into the mechanisms of our body to understand what exactly triggers this response in melanocytes. The pituitary gland in our body produces melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and it is connected to the optic nerve. Therefore, when the pituitary gland senses light, it starts infusing MSH in our bloodstream that drives the tanning process.

Pros of sun tanning

• Tanning under the sun gives adequate exposure for obtaining much-needed Vitamin D naturally without investing in costly supplements. The benefits of Vitamin D include faster weight loss, a better quality of sleep, a reduction of high blood pressure, better brain functioning, and stronger bones and teeth.
• Exposure to bright sunlight helps in the production of melatonin by the pineal gland. In addition, serotonin comes as a precursor to melatonin, thereby ensuring that you have a good immune and inflammation function alongside a better mood.

Cons of sun tanning

• The exposure to the sun has a wide range of health-related as well as cosmetic benefits. However, the UV radiation is quite unpredictable, and so are the outcomes of tanning under the sun. The major concerns are primarily vested in skin damage with possibilities for sunburn, UV-induced skin aging as well as skin cancer.
• Excessive exposure to sunlight can also result in pigmentation and discoloration alongside the creation of fine lines and wrinkles. Higher sunlight exposure also increases and darkens the freckles and also results in yellow discoloration.
• Other negative impacts of tanning under the sun can include faster loss of elasticity of the skin and exposure of small veins and capillaries.

Five ways to get a suntan

Now we know that prolonged exposure to the sun would not get us tanned but bring in some of the deadly diseases. So, let us look at the different ways to get a faster suntan.

1. The base lotion or oil should have a low SPF, and the rub-on lotions or SPF protection should be in the range of 4 to 15.
2. Turn around frequently for getting an even tone of tanning on your skin without excessive exposure to UV radiation.
3. Always be exposed to direct sunlight while tanning, especially in the middle of the day between 10 am and 4 pm.
4. Privately fenced areas or nude beaches can be a great option if you want to get tanned all over your body. Let your birthday suit do all the trick!
5. Laying down on a flotation device such as a raft or an inner tube in water could also help you get tanned faster without any consequences.

Five ways to remove sun tan

The proven ways to remove the effect of sun tanning are as follows:

1. Rubbing cucumber slices gently on your face and leaving it on for ten minutes before washing it off with water.
2. Mix two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice and apply the mixture to the tanned areas. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes and then rinse off with water.
3. Dabbing raw, un-boiled milk on your face with cotton pads and leaving it on for 10 minutes, followed by washing off with water, can help.
4. Mix one tablespoon of tomato juice and yogurt each and apply it to tanned skin. Keep the mixture on for half an hour and then wash it off with cold water.
5. Mashup five strawberries in two tablespoons of milk and then apply the mixture to tanned skin. Keep the mixture on for half an hour and then wash off.

Just try to stay safe when you want to be tanned under the sun. After all, sun tanning is a cosmetic procedure too albeit natural, isn’t it? A small precaution can go a long way in ensuring plausible benefits for your skin and your health!