What is tanning?
Tanning is meant exposing the body to the sun, or otherwise, to get a tan, and make the skin darker.
Tanning types:
- Outdoor (sun) tanning;
- Indoor tanning, by using tanning beds, or self-tanning by using lotions, etc;
How it works?
| When exposed to the sun, the body produces melanin to protect the skin. This causes the skin color to become darker.
| It is a bed-like device, on which the user stretches out to get a tan. It surrounded by lamps emitting the ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause the skin to turn darker.
| Lotions (some types of creams, etc.) are used. They contain a color that turns the skin darker without exposure to the sun. Such a tan is temporary, lasting for less than one week, if not reused during this period.
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Potential Risks
| Exposure to the sun, without applying an appropriate sunscreen and taking the other necessary precautions may lead to: - Fast skin-aging; - Affecting the eyes, especially when not putting on sunglasses; and - Risk of skin cancer.
| It may cause skin allergy.
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Precautions
| - Apply a sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
| - Not to be used by persons under 18 years old.
| - Ensure that the lotion is licensed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA),
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Who should avoid tanning?
- Sun allergy sufferers;
- Skin cancer patients; and
- Pregnant women; since the skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy. Sun tanning and tanning beds, in such a case, can cause burns to the pregnant woman, and affect her fetus.
FAQs:
- What is safer: sun tanning, or indoor tanning by using a tanning bed?
Both affect the skin. However, the tanning bed is thought to expose the body to a higher level of the UV-rays responsible for the onset of skin-aging symptoms.
- Does the use of a tanning bed reduce the risk of sunburns?
No, using a tanning bed does not reduce the risk of sunburns.
Myths & Realities:
- Myth: To get vitamin D from the sun, you need to be exposed to the sun without a sunscreen.
- Reality: Using a sunscreen is necessary when exposed to the sun. As for vitamin D, you can get it by following a healthy diet. In case you don't get a sufficient intake of vitamin D, you should consider taking Vitamin D supplement.
- Myth: A tan every now and then would not be so harmful.
- Reality: Tanning affects the skin, even when not so frequent.
- Myth: Tanning protects the skin from burns.
- Reality: Tanning does not protect the skin from burns, nor from any other risks.