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1. What is tanning?
Tanning is body's way of protecting from ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Melanin is a skin pigment that makes your skin darker in colour. When overexposed to the sun, this melanin is released from the skin to absorb the UV rays and prevent further skin damage. This results in a tan.
2. Is tanning healthy?
Tanning, whether indoor or outdoor, is not healthy. It can result in exposure to the harmful UV rays and cause serious health problems such as premature ageing, skin cancers such as melanomas; eye damage, and weakening of the immune system.
3. What can be done to prevent a tan?
It is better not to get a tan in the first place. You can protect the skin from unwanted tanning with proper sun protection. It is important always to wear a sunscreen, sun protective clothing and hat when you are outside.
4. Can we get a tan on cloudy days?
About 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds. Also, about 17% and 80% of the UV rays are reflected by sand and snow, respectively. Hence, it is essential to apply a sunscreen with a correct sun protection factor (SPF) even if it is not summer to prolong the time taken to get a tan.
5. Can the suntan go away completely?
A suntan will go away gradually as the skin rejuvenates itself if you avoid going out in the sun and wear a sunscreen of high SPF. Old skin is shed and new skin takes its places every few days. Thus, the tanned skin is shed.