Tanning or suntanning is the process of darkening or browning the skin caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays. It also damages the skin if the disclosure is for an extended period. It can cause dark spots and blemishes on the skin. In some places of the world, especially the western countries, tanning of skin or self-tanning is considered fun and fashionable. Young girls and women are very fond of tanning. Whereas in India, it is a very unusual event, and people are not intrigued by this process called self-tanning. They work more to save their skin from getting tanned.
There are two types of rays that we get from the sun. one of them is UVA, and the other is UVB. the UVA rays are less harmful to the skin than the UVB. As the UVB rays burn the top skin causing sunburns and redness of the skin, on the other hand, UVA only causes the skin to darken or tan. UVA rays trigger the skin to produce melanin which is the main component for the darkening or tanning of the skin.
Melanin is the natural element found in our skin responsible for and determines the colour of our skin, eyes, and hair in both humans and animals. The amount of melanin varies from person to person, so we see people with a large variety of skin colours. Darker people are prone to tanning than lighter people, as dark-skinned people have more melanin in their skin than that light-skinned people.
On the contrary, UVA penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB, hence doing more severe damage to the skin and health of a person. Exposure for a short period can boost the production of vitamin D and melanin in the body. Still, prolonged exposure to sunlight can be very harmful and result in skin burns and even skin cancer. The skin also uses melanin to save itself from burning by absorbing the UV rays. As dark-skinned people produce more melanin than that light-skinned people, they are somewhat less prone to sunburns.
Mild exposure to sunlight is not considered harmful but good for the health of the body. But too much sunlight is extremely dangerous. It can result in severe illnesses and deteriorate the health of a person. The harmful ultraviolet rays or UV rays can also affect the body’s immune system, which makes it difficult for that person to fight other existing diseases.
Tanning regularly can give rise to skin cancers and sometimes melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. Some people use tanning beds to get tanned skin which is much more affecting and dangerous than sun tan as it is an artificial device by which UV rays are being emitted on the skin to get an even tan. It only harms and does no good to the skin and makes it more prone to cancer.
Tanning also causes the skin to age faster and prematurely gives rise to wrinkles. It can also affect the eyes in some cases.
There are many ways available to give you the effect of tanned skin without suffering in the scorching heat and risking your life. Stainers, bronzers, skin darkening creams, lotions, sprays, etc., are many cosmetic ways you can obtain the same effect of tanned skin without harming your skin in the process. Professional spray tanning is also one of the harmless ways to tan the skin. Therefore, no matter how important trends and fashion may be, health should be before everything.
How can you save your skin from tanning?
It is not possible to avoid sunlight. Every person has to go out for several reasons, and staying inside the house is not a practical lifestyle. Sometimes it feels good to enjoy the sunlight too. Therefore it is essential to maintain a balance between enjoying the sun and protecting the skin from sun damage. Here are some options for protecting yourself against suntan.
- Applying sunscreen- It is the most important and effective way of protecting from sun rays. It is better to make it a habit to apply sunscreen every day. In India, a minimum SPF of 30 is required to protect the skin from sunburn. Many sunscreens can cause a burning sensation to the skin if it does not suit you. In that situation, go for organic sunscreens or visit your specialist for the best sunscreen. Sunscreens are suitable for men and women and essential too. It is also safe for children as it saves them from the future tendency of suffering from skin cancer. Sunscreens should be applied at least 20 to 30 minutes before going out. And keep using it at different intervals throughout the day.
- Wearing Full Sleeve Clothing – Make sure that you wear full-sleeved shirts, tops, and full pants so the sunlight cannot directly hit your skin. And also, make sure the fabric of your clothes is tightly woven fabrics like cotton and not net. You should also wear materials that are soft and breathable.
- Wearing Sunglass – Large sunglasses, especially sunglasses with UV protection, are recommended to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Wearing Masks or Hats– we have discussed ways to protect other body parts. Now it is time for the face. Masks and hats are very effective in this requirement as they cover and shades the faces hence protecting the skin from sunlight.
- Wearing Full-Coverage Footwear – We cannot ignore the feet which also get tanned by the sun. Therefore you should avoid footwear such as slippers in summer and wear full coverage shoes to protect your feet from the sun.
Remedies for Hand Tanning
Besides avoiding tanning, there are also several methods or remedies that you can use to treat prevailing skin tan. These are primarily natural and homemade concoctions that help remove tan from your hands and heal the damaged skin. It is preferable to visit a doctor for severe tans and skin damage caused by sun exposure rather than self-treat it since it might indicate serious health concerns such as skin cancer. Now we will discuss the quick remedies for tanning briefly –
- Turmeric and Curd – Soothing face packs are great for tan. Take one tablespoon of curd and two tablespoons full curd to make a thick mixture and leave it in the fridge for some time. Then apply this cool mixture thoroughly to your hands. Then clear it off with lukewarm water and pat dry the skin.
- Lemon Juice – You can take 4 to 5 lemons and take out the juice in a big bowl. Then dip your hands into that bowl and let it soak for 10 minutes. Then wash off the residue from your skin with cold water and moisturize the skin as the lemon juice helps dry out the skin.
- Aloe Vera – Nothing works like freshly cut aloe vera. Take an aloe vera leaf and take the sticky gel out of it in a bowl. After this, blend it to form a liquid. Apply this liquid to your tanned skin and relax for an hour. Then take a cold water bath and moisturize the skin.
- Cucumber Juice – Cucumber is a cold vegetable itself. It has soothing properties in it. You juice it and apply it to your hand, which will heal the damaged skin.
- Sandalwood Powder – Sandalwood power is a miracle product for curing tan. Sandalwood powder is also used in many countries as sunscreen. You can mix it with rose water and apply it to your hands in the form of a thick paste. It will remove the tan from your skin and transform it into its original state.
- Tomato and Curd– It is another of the most effective remedies for tanning. The mixture of tomato paste and curd works like magic on tanned skin. The yoghurt softens the skin, and the tomato soothes the damaged and weak skin.
- Papaya, Curd, and Honey– Papaya is a skin-brightening element, and when mixed with honey, it becomes an excellent remedy for tanning.
- Coconut Oil – It is one of the common ways to prevent sun tanning. It has skin healing and soothing properties. You can also use it as a mild sunscreen as it absorbs the heat from the sun and protects the skin from the sunlight by not letting it penetrate the skin.
- Potato Juice – Potato also has skin lightening effects on the skin. You can either use juice or cut it into small pieces and apply it to your hands to remove the darkness of the skin from tanning.
- Brightening Lotions or Masks – Various cosmetic lotions, gels, and masks are available for tanned skin. These unique formulas work on tanned skin and restore damaged skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that in same the way the sun is very crucial for life, it is also a treat to us. The sun’s rays have both good and bad effects on our livelihood. We should be cautious about it and choose wisely the impact we want on our lives from the sun. We should enjoy the sun by taking the required measures, and if we fail to do so, it can ruin our health and joy.
