How UV works
The warm rays of the natural sun or an artificial sun (tanning bed) give our skin a beautiful healthy glow and kick-start our metabolism; skin and organs are stimulated. Certain 'happiness hormones' are also produced; as a result, we feel better, more attractive, and more energetic. A portion of the UV radiation (UV-B radiation) in sunlight stimulates the production of vital Vitamin D.
Responsible Tanning is healthy!
There is growing scientific consensus that tanning is healthy. To make the most of the positive effects of UV and avoid the negative effects, it is important to tan in a healthy and responsible way. The natural sun or an artificial sun (tanning bed) is not just for getting a tan. People also use a tanning bed to improve circulation in their muscles and joints, to improve their skin, to guard against (impending) winter depression, or simply to indulge in the warmth of the sun. In healthy doses, sunlight has many positive effects on your health and your mood. First and foremost, you naturally feel attractive, comfortable, and relaxed due to the warmth of the sun or tanning bed. However, tanning offers more benefits:
Better circulation
A small dose of sunlight (from the sun or a tanning bed) once or twice a week stimulates a large number of bodily processes: blood circulation in the skin and muscles as well as various glandular functions are significantly improved.
Increased resistance
Long-term stress undermines your health. Tanning relaxes. The warmth has a soothing influence. By relaxing regularly, you are less susceptible to viruses and other illnesses.
Vitamin D
Sunlight is also responsible for the production of Vitamin D. It is increasingly being scientifically established that this vitamin is not only indispensable for strong bones but can also help prevent the risk of breast and prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis-like conditions, and depression. Dr. Holick is the world's leading expert in this field; he has conducted extensive research into the link between UV and Vitamin D and the effects of Vitamin D.
Anti-winter depression
Many people suffer from winter depression. Especially if you naturally have a darker skin tone, you may suffer from the lack of sun in our Dutch climate. A weekly tanning session can help. Under the influence of UV light, endorphins (also called the happiness hormone) are produced in your brain. This hormone improves your mood and gives you a feeling of happiness.
Tanning process
The skin has two mechanisms to defend itself against excessive ultraviolet radiation: tanning and skin thickening. Both of these biological processes take place exclusively in the epidermis and are the same with the natural sun as with the artificial sun (tanning bed). In this way, we build up our own protection factor. Every skin contains pigment cells (melanocytes) that produce (brown) pigment granules (melanin) under the influence of UV-A and UV-B radiation. The number of pigment cells is the same for everyone, whether one has light or dark skin. However, the ability of these cells to make pigment differs. In dark-skinned people, more and larger pigment granules are formed than in people with light skin.
By repeating this process, the entire (outer) skin is slowly filled with that pigment; this is the tanning process. It will be clear that this takes time. This is sometimes referred to as delayed pigmentation. The latter occurs primarily under the influence of UV-B. UV-A, which offers no protection whatsoever, is responsible for immediate pigmentation. It occurs immediately after tanning, but also disappears within a few hours.
UV in skin
Penetration depth of different types of radiation
Depending on your skin type, additional protective measures must be taken during excessive exposure to natural sunlight (such as during your vacation), such as using a sunscreen with a specific protection factor.
Acclimatizing the skin to the sun means ensuring that the skin builds up some natural protection against sunburn through tanning and thickening. Then your skin can stay in the natural sun a bit longer before sunburn occurs.