What is tanning?

Tanning is a natural process of the skin reacting to UV -Ultra Violet, rays of the sun. It is a protective measure activated by the skin cells. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin layer, triggering a defensive response by the skin. They produce a pigment called melanin, formed by cells called melanocytes. Two types of melanin are produced by the skin- eumelanin and pheomelanin. The former determines the colour of our skin, hair and eyes. The amount of production of these pigments are determined by the degree of sun exposure.

What sun exposure can do to skin health

Melanin production protects the skin, by combatting the harmful effects of the UV rays. But it also simultaneously darkens the skin. The extent of exposure to the sun is directly proportional to the level of tanning. Skin tan removal treatment can help minimise the effects of sun tan. Although some people consider tanned skin glamourous or exotic, it is certainly not a sign of healthy skin. It is not advisable to expose oneself to the sun for a duration of more than 45 minutes each day.

Is sun tan harmful to the skin?

Although melanin protects the skin, excessive sun exposure is harmful in the long term. The skin cells produce melanin by building up a protective layer over the skin. With time the build up can result in a lot of skin issues.

There are two types of  UV radiation, UVA and UVB both of which are detrimental to skin health. The harmful effects of sun exposure far outweigh its benefits. Skin cancer is one of the major concerns of sun exposure. It is recommended that one uses scarfs and hats to cover the areas that are prone to sun exposure.

Ways to get rid of skin tan

From topical applications like SPF creams to treatments like chemical peels there are a wide range of options to remove tan. There are both protective and after exposure measures to prevent tanning. SPF creams provide proactive protection to the skin before exposure. They have to be applied before sun exposure.

Comparatively the results of tan removal treatments are far more impressive. Treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels effectively remove sun tan after exposure. They have numerous other benefits too, in improving the overall skin health.

Benefits of tan removal procedures

Skin tan removal treatments help in reversing the effects of melanin. They restore the original health of the skin before the exposure. Different skin tones influence the rate of tanning. Darker skin tones are prone to higher tanning as their skin produces more melanin.

The melanin build-up can cause hyperpigmentation and excessive skin darkening. The darker the skin is the higher the exposure is. Over time the skin also loses its moisture retaining capacity. This causes skin to dry out faster resulting in the appearance of dry skin.

Aids regeneration of skin cells

Treatments to remove the tan lead to better regeneration of skin cells. The removal of the melanin build-up simultaneously removes dead skin cells. This causes production of new cells to replace them. This rejuvenation results in enhancing the quality of the skin. The skin will have a characteristic glow immediately after the treatment.

Prevents premature ageing

One of the long-term effects of sun exposure is accelerated skin ageing. Sun exposure interferes with collagen production. Skin elasticity is lost as a result of tanning, making the skin appear older. It causes wrinkles and sagging skin. Skin treatments can help prevent this.

Prevents skin breakouts

Sun exposure not just results in tanning but also affects the working of pores on the skin. This may result in acne and breakouts on the face. Acne is caused when there is an interference with the sebum secretion or blockage of pores. When the pores are clogged it results in excessive sebum build up resulting in skin breakouts. Treatments to remove tan also help in opening these pores and letting the skin breathe. The skin is cleared of all impurities and blockage and consequently is healthier.

Restores original skin tone

The first direct effect of sun exposure is that it alters the skin tone. The skin becomes darker correspondingly to the amount of exposure. Brown skin tones are especially more sensitive and become darker quickly with UV exposure. Removing the tan also helps in restoring the original skin tone masked by tanning. The outer layer of skin which is exposed to the sun when removed unmasks a new layer. The new cells are in the original skin tone, making the skin appear brighter and more radiant.