OCR Text |
Show Sot Tan tastaSGy Tanning of the skin occurs in two ways. FIRST, AN immediate tanning tan-ning action is started when-ultraviolet when-ultraviolet light strikes the pigment already present in the upper layers of the skin, turning it a darker brown. This new coloring is noticeable no-ticeable within a few hours after you go out into the sun. SECOND, A fraction of the sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate pene-trate down to the lower layer of the skin. This causes production of more melanin, which migrates to the surface of the skin and becomes visible visi-ble as a tan. This latter process starts two days after initial exposure, ex-posure, and reaches a peak about two weeks later. IF INITIAL sun exposure is too long, sunburn occurs and damage is done before the production of new tan achieves its optimum effect. If the burn is bad enough to cause blisters and peeling, some surface skin is lost, and with it some of the tan. The American Medical Association As-sociation emphasizes that there is virtually no health ' j advantage from tanning, and ' some hazards of skin cancer. But, if you still insist on tanning, tan-ning, gradual exposure is the best way. AS THE tanning progresses during the summer, there is a gradual thickening of the outer layer of the skin. This thickening prevents the sun's rays from reaching the easily damaged deeper skin layers. Tanning cannot be rushed. Your skin will thicken just so much during your first day in the sun. ON THE next day, additional addi-tional exposure will produce just so much more tanning, and no more. Severe burning can be avoided and maximum tanning promoted if you follow an exposure guide for . exposed skin. If you are light-skinned, exposure should be confined to 15 minutes the first day on each side, 20 minutes the second day, 25 minutes the third day, 30 minutes the fourth day, and exposure thereafter based on redness and tenderness. IF YOUR skin is medium dark, exposure may be extended each day by an additional ad-ditional five minutes. Try to get out of the sun before you become noticeably red or you'll find it's too late to avoid a burn. |