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Why Tan?
There are both physiological and psychological reasons to tan. Most people tan
in order to obtain the cosmetic value of darker skin, which, in turn may heighten
their mood and self-esteem. Other people may tan for certain medical reasons, such
as psoriasis, and do so under a doctor's care.
Is Tanning Safe?
Light is essential to all life on earth, and without light we could not survive.
Tanning is natural. It is your skin's natural defense against burning. For example,
eating is natural, but if you eat too much and eat the wrong things it is not good
for you. The same can be said for tanning. If you burn while tanning, do not tan in
moderation, or do not wear SPF protection when outdoors, you are not tanning smart.
The Sun Room promotes smart tanning by educating our clients to tan in moderation,
to take care of their skin using high quality products, and to never, ever burn!
How Does My Skin Tan?
When the skin is exposed to Ultraviolet (UV) rays, a natural process begins to take
place. There are special cells in your epidermis, which is the outermost layer of
your skin, called melanocytes. When exposed to the UVB (shorter) ray, these
melanocytes produce melanin, which is the pigment that is then absorbed by the
surrounding skin cells. When melanin is exposed the UVA (longer) ray, the melanin
then oxidizes, or darkens, creating a "tan".
Why Should I Use Tanning Products?
The Sunroom Tanning is committed to the overall well-being of our clients and their
skin. By wearing an accelerator while tanning, you are doing two things: you are
helping to prevent the possibility of drying out your skin, and you are allowing more
UV light to penetrate your skin more quickly. Dry skin is not healthy skin, and by
keeping your skin in optimum condition, you will tan darker, faster, and stay tan
longer! Also, when tanning, dry skin reflects light, not allowing for the UV rays to
be absorbed as quickly as when using an accelerator.
Why Does My Tan Fade?
Since a tan occurs in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, it is eventually
lost during your skin's natural exfoliation process. Every 28-30 days, your skin
completely replaces all of its cells, and the cells at the top layer are eventually
sloughed off, allowing the new cells to reach the skin's surface. When the old cells
are exfoliated, they take with them the darkened melanin that was created by the
exposure to UV light. In order to maintain your tan, you must continue to expose your
skin to UV light.
Do I Have To Wear Eyewear?
The Sun Room requires that all tanners wear FDA approved eyewear while tanning.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on your body, and UV light can easily
penetrate that skin to reach your eyes. Repeated, unprotected exposure to UV light
may cause long-term damage to your eyes, and that is why we require all tanners to
wear eyewear every time they tan!
Can I Wear Contacts While I Tan?
As long as you are wearing your FDA approved eyewear, there is no reason why you cannot
wear your contact lenses while tanning.
Can I Tan If I'm Pregnant?
While there is not current scientific evidence that expectant mothers cannot tan,
this is something that needs to be discussed with your physician beforehand. There
are some researchers that believe that the increased production of vitamin D that is
produced by exposure to UVB may be beneficial to both the mother and the fetus. But
you must also consider the possibility of increased body temperature, which does occur
when tanning indoors, just as it does when taking a bath or using a Jacuzzi. Please
make sure to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor prior to tanning, because for
liability reasons, we will only allow a pregnant woman to tan with written permission
from her doctor.
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