The sun is the source of life, energy and... tanning.

Dark skin, radiant with health, has long become the standard of beauty. But is the desire for a bronze shade so harmless?

In this article, we will lift the veil on the mysteries of tanning, weighing its pros and cons.

The benefits of sun tanning

1. A daily 15-minute walk in the sun is a boost of vitamin D, which strengthens bone tissue and muscles, normalizes calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and supports the functioning of the immune system.

2. Under the influence of sunlight, serotonin is actively produced, which fights despondency and gives a charge of positivity.

3. Ultraviolet light stimulates the production of antibodies, increasing the body's resistance to viruses and infections.

4. Sun tanning is not only a beautiful skin color, but also a protective barrier. It increases resistance to lead, mercury, cadmium, benzene and other harmful substances.

5. Ultraviolet rays are successfully used in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and acne. They normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, making the skin cleaner and healthier.

6. Sunlight accelerates tissue regeneration, helping wounds and scars heal faster.

7. Ultraviolet light activates many life processes in the body: it stimulates breathing, metabolism, blood circulation and the functioning of the endocrine system.

The harm of sun tanning

1. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the body's defenses spend all resources fighting it, making us more vulnerable to infections.

2. Excessive amounts of ultraviolet light damage the DNA of skin cells, which can lead to the development of melanoma and other types of cancer. Sunburn received in childhood is especially dangerous.

3. Ultraviolet radiation destroys collagen and elastin, making the skin flabby, wrinkled, and causing the appearance of age spots.

4. An allergic reaction to the sun, manifested by itching, redness, and blisters.

5. Ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the reproductive system of both men and women.

Every person has natural protection from the sun, which is called “natural level of protection”. This is the amount of time you can be in the sun without using sunscreen without risking a sunburn. The duration of such safe sun exposure depends on skin type and ranges from 5 to 40 minutes.

During this period, the skin uses its natural sun protection mechanisms. Under the influence of UV rays, skin pigment cells begin to intensively produce melanin, a special protective pigment that gives the skin a dark tint.

Melanin cells absorb heat rays and neutralize the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of the sun, melanin from the deep layers of the skin rises to the top and is evenly distributed over the entire surface. The body acquires a beautiful tan and at the same time a protective “shell” from burns and sunstroke.

Dark skin can protect the body for approximately 450 000 hours over the course of a lifetime, while light skin can protect three times less.

When the limit of natural protection is exhausted, a person becomes defenseless against solar attack, which can seriously harm his health.

Interestingly, overusing sunscreen can also have negative effects. With frequent use, a “sun callus” forms on the body, which prevents the necessary sun rays from penetrating into the deep layers of the skin.

Each time, the top layer of skin thickens by 0,3–0,5 mm. Over the years, regular tanning makes the skin rougher. This pathological process accelerates the aging of the skin: it becomes dehydrated, becomes dry, deep wrinkles, age spots and precancerous diseases - solar keratoses - appear.