How Tanning Works | Veranda Sun Boulder Clean Tanning Salon

Posted October 31, 2013

Tanning Under the Sun

Natural tanning is the process of cells in your skin protecting you from harmful UVA and UVB rays that come from the sun

Prolonged or uncontrolled exposure to UVA and UVB rays can greatly increase the likelihood of cancerous cells growing in your skin.
A tan works as a shield from radiation. Imagine thousands of tiny umbrellas in your skin; they open more the more they are exposed to the sun, which in turn makes your skin look darker.

Sun Protection

Going into the sun without using sunscreen greatly increases your risk for cancer.

Sunblock is a product that uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to completely block out UV rays from the sun. This means you will get no tan while wearing it.
Sunscreen is a product that allows some UV rays to penetrate to the skins surface, which gives you the ability to get a slight tan.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) refers to the amount of UV radiation that can saturate your sun protection to reach your skin. For example SPF 30 means that 1/30th of the sun’s UV rays are in contact with your skin.
Use an SPF no lower than SPF15
Use two to three tablespoons of sunscreen or sunblock on your entire body, concentrating on the areas most in contact with the sun (shoulders, nose and face, arms, back).
Sunscreen and sunblock must be reapplied every two hours, or after entering water.

Try to tan in small increments to minimize damage; one hour a day in the sun is usually a safe amount of time.

What Type of Sunblocker is Best?

The more opaque the sunscreen the better. Not all sunscreens are equally effective. Some sunscreens are manufactured to block short-wave ultraviolet (UVB) radiation, which damages the skin’s surface and causes redness and burning. Yet it is the longer-wave ultraviolet (UVA) radiation that penetrates deeper into the skin. UVA radiation is less likely to cause noticeable sunburn symptoms. The best sunscreens block both UVB and UVA rays. Both avobenzone and benzophenone are good UVA blockers. For maximum benefits, sunscreen must be applied evenly to cool, dry skin 30 minutes before sun exposure. Waterproof and water-resistant sunscreens are best since effectiveness is not reduced by perspiration.

Maintain your Tan

Apply lotion regularly to reduce the number of dead skin cells you shed, and increase the longevity of your tan. Drink enough water and visit your tanning salon during the winter months to make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D for your body.

How Does a Tanning Bed Work?

In tanning booths, ultraviolet (UV) light bulbs emit UV radiation that produces skin tanning. This, essentially, is artificially produced UV light similar to that coming from the sun. The effects and benefits of the UV light are therefore very similar to tanning in natural sun. On of the greatest things about artificial tanning is that places like Veranda Sun, have experienced staff that will evaulate your skin type and will control the amount of UV that is right for your Skin. Tanning beds also help your body get the needed Vitamin D from UV.

Visit Veranda Sun in Boulder, CO.

The cold weather is here, the direction of the UV rays from natural sunlight make it difficult for you to get all the Vitamin D you need from just being in the sun. So visit Veranda Sun Tanning Salon in Boulder Colorado and see about our special deals and offers on tanning packages at affordable prices.