Tanning Tips for different skin types.

Do you know----------- Getting a good tan includes knowing our skin, which skin-type we are and looking after our skin--------of course we know that, and also how to be a responsible tanner, remembering that our skin will show effects in the future if it is not treated kindly now.

We know that tanning units have a constant output of UV rays—unlike the sun, whose rays are difficult for any of us to measure or attempt to do so except of course, the scientists and such like. The predictability of a single sunbed session is fairly obvious to those of us familiar with it, giving us a nice sense of security and well-being. So, we know that for any single sunbed session the outcome is pretty certain [except for beginners who need to find out from their tanning operators and get informed.]We know this because of the ‘time-limit‘ involved which is described in Tanning language as ‘DOSE’. This dose can be adjusted quite precisely by us as we become more familiar with our experience on the sunbed, to suit our skin-type and our tan condition at that moment. We can always alter our time [dose] on the sunbed. We can predict what we need.

Although this is a very technical subject, you’re just getting an outline of it here; a very simple one. The basic fact to be remembered is; that the dose needed to get a SUNBURN is a lot less than one needed to get a SUNTAN. If you think about it you know that is true. On holiday in the sun, for hours at a time, [no shade sunbathing, which is highly recommended], you always know how easy it is to get SUNBURNED---in the usual places--- on the shoulders, tops of legs, nose and cheeks--- the usual places. You know that and always hope to avoid it. Perhaps you don’t get a bad sunburn. You just get that tingly, tight feeling and soreness. This happens on the sunbed too at the salon, if your dose is too long and the sunbed too intense via the lamps. Whichever. The damage being done to the cells of your skin is being done and there is nothing you can do to stop it. It is a process which once activated will carry through to its own healing. Yes. You do heal obviously. You may not even think much of the event depending on how bad it is. That’s not the point. The point is SUNBURN is bad for you. Really bad. It is a no—no. Absolutely don’t do it. You just do not know what the implications are for this.

So----- we know that getting a suntan for a lot of people, whether it’s on the sunbed or on the beach means the high risk of getting sunburned, and that getting a tan in either case is dependant on taking it easy. That it takes a lot more than ‘just getting some rays’ to get a suntan. So---to avoid this sunburn business----because you see it’s not the sunbathing itself, whether or not you’re on the beach or on the sunbed, that’s the issue –or the problem; getting the rays whichever way------ is more good for you than not; it’s the dose which is the deciding factor in all this. [I only know because I make it my business to know via scientific data, reports of which are recorded from the many ongoing conferences and summits throughout the world. You’d be surprised how many professional people and groups are dedicated to research and tests and the quest for more solid proof, keeping up to date with our health issues regarding this topic and all it’s variations. It is fascinating and does eventually filter through to ‘our’ world where laws are made and health and safety issues are considered.]

It is easier to burn than to tan.

Skin-type2 people will always burn if they try to get a ‘quick’ tan by spending too long in the rays trying to get one started and well on the way. Contrasting skin-type 4 may be able to get well on the way after just one session and go darker after each subsequent session. Skin—type 2 needs a higher dose to stimulate this kind of melanin activity and of course this is the situation where sunburn is caused---because sunburn needs a lesser dose than the dose needed to get a tan. For skin—type2 and 3 it’s better to have two half sessions [adding up to one whole.], spreading the larger dose needed for the tan to take effect over two sessions each of which gives a dose less than that which would cause sunburn. Provided these two half sessions are spread further apart ----------because we need, or rather our skin needs, a rest period between receiving UV rays on to the body, yes, even when you’re on holiday---say 24hrs. Then your tan will start to begin without sunburn. Skin—type1 people should not even attempt to tan as their burning threshold is very low and they burn too easily, before tanning even gets a chance to begin. Their tanning dose threshold is very high--- unacceptably so and it seems that many cannot develop a tan. All skin-types need to take care not to exceed their ‘maximum received dose before you burn’ in any one session but it applies particularly to skin-types 2 and 3 who are more prone to burn before they even reach their tanning dose.

MED-----Minimum Erythemal Dose The maximum received dose BEFORE you burn.
MMD-----Minimal Melanogenetic Dose The maximum received dose BEFORE you start to get any increased pigment formation.