Monday, February 18, 2013

How A Sun Tanner Functions

By Haywood Hunter


A sun tanner is an equipment or a product used to make the skin color darker or tanned. The process is usually as a result of exposure to UV radiation from artificial sources or from the sun. Tanning beds are the main artificial sources of UV radiation utilized. This effect may also result from windburn, reflected light, or chemical products.



Deliberate tanning is achieved by involvement in sun bathing whereas casual unintentional exposure to sun rays may have adverse effects as well as some benefits. Benefits consist of synthesis of vitamin D under the skin. Excessive exposure causes possible skin cancer, sunburns, possible early aging, and depressed immune system function. Sunscreens are made use of to prevent sunburns on parts of skin open to sun tanner equipment or the natural sun. The tanning procedure may also be accelerated by certain oils.

Tanning process differs among people, with some changing skin color fast and more easily than others. This results from differences in skin type and natural skin color. These 2 factors are a matter of genetics.



Cells called melanocytes, which lie in the deepest layer of the skin produce melanin. This process is known as melanogenesis. Melanocytes create two forms of melanin, that is eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin has a dark brown color while pheomelanin is red. The work of melanin is protecting internal body organs through absorption of solar energy. Solar beams cause indirect or direct damage to DNA, which needs to be corrected by the body system through secretion of melanin.

With increased secretion of melanin, skin color becomes darker, although the UV-B might cause sunburn. This tanning effect can also be attained by use of artificial UV tanners. The artificial sun tanner delivers either UV-B, UV-A, or both. Creation of a tan by exposure to UV occurs through two different mechanisms. To begin with, UV-A beams create oxidative stress, which in turn oxidizes the already available melanin. Once oxidized, melanin turns it color to dark brown.

The radiations produced by a sun tanner also redistributes melanin from its storage location, but its initial amount remains the same. The second procedure is stimulated primarily by UVB radiation. The rate of melanogenesis increases leading to more melanin. This entire reaction starts due to direct photo-damage caused by UV beams. Melanogenesis process delays tanning, which becomes noticeable after seventy two hours after the first exposure. The tan created by increased melanogenesis stays longer than that caused by oxidation reaction. It guards against skin damages in a better way than simple aesthetic function offered by UV-A beams.

The sun tanner applied to produce artificial UV beams is casket-shaped. People lie in the sun tanner and ultraviolet rays are radiated on all over their bodies. There is a specified period that one can last inside the sun tanner. Beyond that period, the radiation becomes extremely destructive. The sun tanner contains a lead, on which sources of radiation are fixed.

A sun tanner is a pricey device depending on the version one needs to obtain. The difference might however not be so significant since they all attain same effects and results. One should always compare costs among producers before purchasing one. A Sun tanner can be made in various designs and sizes.




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