What is tanning?
Tanning, or often referred to as sunbathing, is the process of darkening the skin from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can come from different sources such as sunlight or artificial tanning lamps.
Generally people do tanning to have their skin tan for cosmetic purposes. This activity includes tanning (sunbathing) or indoor tanning. Tanning itself takes advantage of sun exposure so that the skin can naturally darken. Meanwhile, indoor tanning uses tools such as tanning lamps, or special tanning beds that can darken the skin artificially.
Effects of sun exposure on skin
There are concerns when you decide to go tanning. Therefore, sun exposure can affect health. Excessive sun exposure to the skin, regardless of the method, can cause skin damage.
Excessive sun exposure can cause wrinkles, freckles and premature aging of the skin. This is caused by UV radiation due to sun exposure which damages the type of skin tissue elastin. When these tissues are damaged, the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag and stretch. This impact may not be seen if a person is young, but it will be obvious when he is older.
Excessive sun exposure can also cause health problems such as:
- Pre-cancerous skin lesions (actinic keratosis) are caused by decreased immune function of the skin.
- Cancerous skin lesions (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) caused by decreased immune function of the skin
- Benign skin tumor
- Discolored skin (that is, mottled pigmentation), especially yellowing of the skin
- Dilation of skin blood vessels (telangiectasias)
- Loss of elastin and skin collagen (elastosis)
Things to keep in mind when sunbathing or just exposing your skin to the sun include:
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF index of at least 30 and zinc oxide to give your skin protection against UVB and UVA rays. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before leaving the house. Also, sunscreen will disappear after 2 hours, or exposure to water or excessive sweating. It is highly recommended that you reapply sunscreen after the conditions mentioned above.
- If you are not sunbathing, use clothes and cosmetic products that contain UV protection.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim
- Wear sunglasses that have UV protection
- Check the condition of your skin regularly
Indoor tanning
Indoor tanning uses certain indoor artificial equipment such as tanning bed or sunlamp to get a tan that is usually caused by the sun. Many people prefer indoor tanning for a number of reasons including:
- Many people believe that indoor tanning can give skin a tan tone and also prevent sunburn, unlike outdoor tanning. This is not necessarily true, as brown skin is only a sign that the skin has been damaged by radiation.
- Many people believe that tanning reduces the risk of sunburn. However, when used excessively, it will still burn the skin.
- People can also take advantage of indoor tanning to get their vitamin D intake.
Although indoor tanning is considered a safer option than sunbathing, indoor tanning is inherently dangerous like sunbathing outdoors. The main examples of the harmful effects caused by indoor tanning are:
- Skin cancer: Just like excessive sun exposure, indoor tanning can cause 3 types of skin cancer, namely basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma.
- If you are less than 35 years of age, this can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life
- Skin damage
- Premature aging
- Eye damage
- Produces skin rash
Patients who choose to do indoor tanning are strongly advised to keep the following in mind:
-Use glasses when doing indoor tanning
-Select the recommended device
-Do not exceed the time limit specified
-Start at a low intensity if you are new to tanning for the first time
-Wait one week before you do your second tanning
-Do not do indoor tanning if you are under 18 years of age
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