Getting a Tan Can Be Dangerous!

Every summer millions of people flock to the beach to get their beautiful tan. But did you know that a tan may mean that your skin has been injured? Your skin is the most exposed organ on your body. A tan is actually your body’s way of reacting to the dangerous radiation that is given off by the sun. What happens is that your body increases its output of protective pigment called melanin, which causes your skin to darken. Even those who have naturally dark or black skin can have some type of skin damage if they are exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight. The immediate effects of very brief sun exposure are imperceptible. But over the course of many years your skin’s connective tissues, blood vessels and cells are progressively weakened. It actually causes your skin to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

As many people know medical research has linked the rise in skin cancer with people’s increased exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. This connection is not fully understood, but it is thought that prolonged exposure contributes to a depressing of the body’s immune system. It is even thought to be the cause of many cold sores, and fever blisters. Because of this however many people have begun going to tanning salons to get that overall tanning look or even the tanning sprays. Well doctors have found the prolonged use of tanning salons can still cause damage to your skin. What you are actually doing is burning your skin to get a certain color, or look. What about all of these new tanning sprays. Well nothing has been found to be wrong with them yet. From the research that I have done on them, it is just like applying makeup to your body. I would recommend however that just like makeup you make sure that you thoroughly wash your skin daily, to try and keep your pores clean.

Of course there are numerous ways that you can protect your skin from the sun. It does not necessarily mean that you can not sunbathe or go to the beach. Wearing the proper clothes when out in the sun can help, and even cosmetic makeup like lipstick can help. As we all know there are various sun blocks that you can use. You should also remember that even in the winter time you are at risk from ultraviolet rays. The snow actually reflects the suns rays, and can have damaging effects to your skin. I know that most people do not think of a tan as something dangerous, but it is. If you are really that unhappy with your complexion you could try some makeup. There is even body makeup that you can use or the self at home tanners which seem to be pretty harmless. But more importantly you will want to protect your children. If your children are overexposed to the sun during their childhood it can affect them when they are adults. So don’t just think about how the sun affects you, but how it can affect them as well.