{"id":20626,"date":"2023-07-14T13:54:11","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20626"},"modified":"2023-09-06T07:24:17","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T12:24:17","slug":"what-happens-to-your-skin-when-you-tan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/explainer\/what-happens-to-your-skin-when-you-tan\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens To Your Skin When You Tan?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re in the midst of summer, which means you\u2019ve likely already spent a fair amount of time in the sun. Getting tanner as summer goes on might seem harmless if you\u2019re not experiencing sunburn.\u00a0<\/span>But the truth is that even if you haven\u2019t been sunburned, any sort of sun exposure sans protection can be dangerous. Below, learn more about why, and how to protect yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What does tanning do to your skin?<\/h2>\n

When you spend time in the sun, you try out a tanning bed, you\u2019re exposing your skin to harmful UV radiation that can cause mutations in your skin cells\u2019 DNA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In response, your skin starts producing more melanin and pigments your skin, resulting in a tan. \u201cThe melanin forms a cap on the nucleus of cells that house your DNA, because it\u2019s trying to protect you from harmful mutations that can lead to skin cancer,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Mary Alice Mina<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist based in Atlanta.<\/span><\/p>\n

At a certain point \u2014 and everyone is different \u2014\u00a0your body loses its ability to repair these mutations, which can increase your risk of developing several kinds of skin cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you never burn when you go in the sun \u2014 for example if you have a naturally darker skin\u00a0tone \u2014 the same process is at play. \u201cYou may not notice sun damage like someone who is paler, but even people with the darkest skin are at risk,\u201d says Mina.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another reason to be extra careful with sun exposure: Exposure to UV rays, even sans sunburn, can also hinder collagen production in your skin, which can lead to wrinkles and premature aging, says <\/span>Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist in Pittsburgh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Best practices for sun protection<\/h2>\n

To avoid a tan, you have to focus on avoiding unwanted rays of sun. If possible, avoid spending time outdoors between 12 and 4 PM, when UV rays are the strongest, says Kazlouskaya.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wear protective clothing if possible when you\u2019re outside, such as a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers your skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And always apply at least SPF 30 sunscreen anytime you\u2019ll be in the sun. \u201cSunscreen has to be applied every day, period, even if you live in a northern climate and you don\u2019t get a lot of sunlight during the day,\u201d says Mina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Establishing a relationship with a <\/span>dermatologist<\/span><\/a>, and getting regular skin checks, is also important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Better ways to tan<\/h2>\n

If you want to get a tan, dermatologists agree sunless is the only safe way to do it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSunless tanners contain chemicals that darken the top layer of your skin temporarily, and they\u2019re very safe,\u201d says Mina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure to read the instructions beforehand, and talk to your doctor beforehand if you have sensitive skin, says Kazlouskaya, as some people with eczema or psoriasis may experience irritation with sunless tanners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Mina says sunless tanning is definitely better than outdoor sun exposure or tanning beds, she encourages thinking through <\/span>why <\/span><\/i>you want to change your skin and working on accepting it as it is. \u201cMy first recommendation is to love your skin, whatever color you are,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Need a doctor? Find one on Zocdoc<\/a>.<\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even just getting some more color during the summer is a sign of too much UV exposure. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":20627,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[247],"tags":[21,81,83],"class_list":["post-20626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-explainer","tag-dermatology","tag-preventive-care","tag-wellness","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Happens To Your Skin When You Tan? - Explainer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even just getting some more color during the summer is a sign of too much UV exposure.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/explainer\/what-happens-to-your-skin-when-you-tan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Happens To Your Skin When You Tan? 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