The Positive Side of Tanning
Tanning is not just for the young. Because UV rays are essential for the body to produce vitamin D, mature adults at risk from osteoporosis can gain health benefits from moderate tanning. Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium to prevent osteoporosis onset, and is essential for bone health. A study called “Musculoskeletal Disorders” found that vitamin D made bisphosphonates taken by women treated for osteoporosis to work more effectively.
Tanning also helps the body regulate the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which aid in healthy sleep cycles. Five or ten minutes once or twice a week will improve vitamin D and hormone balance. Stressed out? Tanning is a perfect excuse to take 20 minutes out of your day and relax. Lying in a warm sunbed listening to music and resting your mind is a great way to recharge over lunch or unwind after a hard day.
Tanning helps conceal facial blemishes and helps with psoriasis symptoms.
Tanning also helps prevent sunburn – indoor tanning gives you more control over how much direct light you are exposed to.
Tanning occurs gradually through the stimulation and oxidation of melanin in the skin during exposure to ultraviolet rays. UVB (shorter ultraviolet rays)trigger melanin production deep in the skin. When these activated melanin granules travel to the surface, UVA (longer ultraviolet rays) cause the melanin to oxidize and turn brown. Too much UVB causes sunburn (erythema).
Natural sunlight contains an uncontrolled amount of UVB (burning rays) whereas indoor tanning controls both the UVA/UVB ratio and your exposure time, giving you the perfect balance for developing a dark, healthy-looking tan.
Although some people may see a skin tone change after only one or two sessions, most people need 7 to 10 sessions to fully develop a tan. With a good base tan, 1 or 2 sessions a week will maintain a radiant, deep, dark tan throughout the year.
Click here for an great article on UVB and indoor tanning from the Vitamin D Council.
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Vitamin D and Tanning
We are in the business of providing cosmetic tans. However, tanning lamps that emit some UVB light – and most of them do – have been shown by peer-reviewed research to stimulate vitamin D production in the skin and elevate blood levels of vitamin D in the body. While it may not be necessary to develop a tan to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D, and while dietary supplements are an alternative, UVB exposure is the body’s natural way to produce vitamin D.