Lately, it seems that everybody wants a tan. You may even be trying to get one yourself. You may think that tanning makes you look healthy. But if you are exposed to too much sun, you could get badly burned. And in the long run, it can lead to premature aging (wrinkles) and skin cancer.

• Tanning and Your Skin
• Types of Tans
• Tanning Safety
• Facts About Sunscreens
• Facts About Sunburn

Tanning and Your Skin

When ultraviolet (UV) rays hit your skin, your body creates melanin, a substance that is brown. This is what
gives you a tan. People with lighter skin produce less of it and are more likely to sunburn quickly.

People with darker skin produce a lot of melanin naturally, so they are less likely to burn. But dark-skinned people should still take precautions against too much sun exposure.
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Types of Tans

Natural Tans

• A natural tan is one where tanning products are not used.
  
• To get a natural tan, you lie in the sun (wearing sunscreen, of course) and let the sun's rays give you a tan.

Tanning Beds

• A tanning bed exposes you to UV rays from an artificial source.
  
• Tanning beds can actually give off more UVA rays (the kind that lead to skin cancer and wrinkles) than the sun does. They are no safer than tanning in the sun itself.

Mist Tans

• With a mist tan, you go to a salon and have a tan sprayed on you.
  
• The tan is made of a chemical that interacts with your skin to make it look darker.
  
• This method is expensive, but it is fast and safe.

Creams and Self-Tanners

• A self-tan is one where you apply a cream that makes you look tan.
  
• As with mist tans, these products contain a chemical that interacts with your skin to make it look darker.
  
• These tans can last up to a week.
  
• These come in lotions and sprays.
  
• Most creams and self-tanners cost about $10.

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Tanning Safety

• Self-tanners, creams and mist tans are the safest. These products do not expose you to UV rays.
  
• If you do go to a tanning salon or tan naturally, always use sunscreen.

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Facts About Sunscreens

Sunscreens prevent some UV rays from reaching your skin. Sunscreens are labeled with an SPF (sun protection factor) number. In general, the higher the SPF number, the more protection the product provides against UV light. Make sure to reapply every couple hours.
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Facts About Sunburn

Symptoms of sunburn are well known: the skin becomes red, painful, and abnormally warm after sun exposure.

Also, remember these tips when treating sunburn:

• Avoid repeated sun exposure.
  
• Apply cold compresses or immerse the sunburned area in cool water.
  
• Apply moisturizing lotion to affected areas. Do not use salve, butter, or ointment.
  
• Do not break blisters.

Consult a doctor if the sunburn affects an infant younger than 1 year of age or if these symptoms are present:

• Fever
  
• Fluid-filled blisters
  
• Severe pain

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