The Nitrogen Family Elements at a Glance

Author: Grace Palce
Source: isnare.com

Several medical studies have proved that tanning is beneficial to the human body. The major benefit is the strengthening of the bones. That is, the absorbed ultraviolet radiation activates substances in the skin the much needed vitamin D, and vitamin D is important in making the bones tough.

There is, however, another documented benefit of tanning. Tanning helps the skin protect itself from further exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This was reported in the September 1999 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The report was authored by Dr. Barbare A. Gilchrest and Dr. Mark S. Eller. Both worked at the Department of Dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

The journal report stated five important points:

1. The UV radiation produces the protective melanin pigments.

Why are melanin pigments considered protective? The melanin in the skin helps the body expel excess energy from further ultraviolet exposure. The excess energy can cause harm but, with the aid of melanin, this is removed from the body in the form of heat. The melanin can also deactivate the free radicals, which are infamous for their destructive action on the body.

2. Tanned skin prevents UVR injury.

Related to above findings, the authors reported that a tanned skin is less prone to blisters and sunburn. Blisters and sunburns are UVR damages that a skin sustains when the skin can no longer tolerate the UV it receives. A tanned skin has a higher tolerance of UV rays. Thus, having a tanned skin is similar to wearing a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 3-5.

3. Tanning provides photo-protection.

When a person undergoes the tanning process, the stratum corneum layer of his skin is considerably thickened. With this thicker layer, the skin becomes less sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation. Such is called photo-protection. A person with pale white skin may not attain the dark olive color that he desires but his stratum corneum has achieved a certain thickness that gives him photo-protection.

4. Tanning elevates the skin’s repair capacity.

One of the greatest fears of people when they face tanning is the disease called skin cancer. But skin cancer only happens when a person abuses the tanning process. That is, he stays in the tanning bed longer than what is recommended by the manufacturer or the tanning salon professional. Skin cancer happens when too many damaged and abnormal cells are produced. With gradual and responsible tanning, the skin’s capacity to repair itself is actually enhanced. When the skin repairs itself, it gets rid off abnormal cells and fixes damage cells.

5. Both natural tan and acquired tan gives the same skin protection.

All the above-described protection obtained from a tanned skin is not limited to a natural tan. An acquired tanned skin can also provide the same protection.

Author: Alfred J.James -br
Source: articledashboard.combr
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The popularity of self-tanning products is surging, showing that Americans are wising up about sun safety. Theyre putting their money where their skin is.

Skin takes a lot of wear and tear, so it naturally regenerates itself. Every 35-45 days the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is completely replaced. Since skin pigment is found in this upper layer, any natural or added pigment will be sloughed away in about one months time. This is why natural tans fade and why many self-tanning products recommend you re-apply the product every few days to maintain your tan.

Self-tanning products, also called sunless tanning lotions, contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a colorless sugar that interacts with dead surface cells in the epidermis, staining the skin darker. The effect is temporary, because as the dead cells naturally slough off, the color fades, disappearing within a week unless the lotion has been reapplied. Thats a lot more healthful than a suntan, however, because while suntans also start fading after a few days, the harm done to the skin is permanent.

Getting a suntan breaks down the DNA in skin cells, but using self-tanners causes no such damage. At worst, sunless tanning products present a minimal risk of irritant or allergic reactions.

1. Self-tanning takes time. Allow AT LEAST a half hour, although an hour would be best. But dont be discouraged; it would still take longer to get the same amount of color from the sun and with self-tanners there is absolutely no risk of wrinkles, skin cancer, or sunburn!

2. Take a quick shower or bath (dont soak) and exfoliate your skin, either with a washcloth or body scrub. Dont overscrub, but do pay extra attention to your knees, ankles, feet, elbows, and neck. This will help achieve a uniform appearance since self-tanners grab on to dry surface skin cells, and you may have more dead, thickened skin cells in certain areas. After showering and completely drying off, apply a thin layer of lightweight moisturizer over the areas where you will be applying self-tanner. This will help the self-tanner glide on without clinging to dry patches. A little extra moisturizer over ankles, knees, and elbows can prevent those areas from looking patchy. I have seen some recommendations to mix self-tanner with your moisturizer, but I advise against this because it will encourage streaking (unless you can precisely mix them which isnt easy) plus it will take longer for the self-tanner to absorb and dry.

Perspiration also will make self-tanners streak, so take a cool shower or bath to keep from sweating. Your skin must be completely dry to get the best results. Do not apply self-tanner in a steamy, hot bathroom or on a humid, hot day (unless your home is air-conditioned).

3. Ideally, you should apply the self-tanner while naked, but you can also wear an old bathing suit (one you dont plan to wear outside) to help determine where you want your tan line to end. Either way, have a game plan of where you want to stop and start the color. (Do you want tan armpits? What about places like your heels, hands, and ears?) Remember that self-tanners will stain clothing until they completely absorb into the skin and take effect on the skin cell.

Applying self-tanner on your back requires a friend with a helping hand, although you can use a long-handled paintbrush (note that this poses some issues of potential dripping and uneven application if you are not able to blend the product in)./pbr
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