Tanning has been the standard of beauty for decades, with the constant list of trends year after year putting sun-tanned skin at the top of an all-time ideal. Whether induced by basking in sunlight at the beach, lounging for hours under the light of a tanning bed, or using sunless tanning products, the bronzed glow has been solidified in pop culture as the standard of glow. But with its popularity building, it’s only natural to wonder what all those sun or UV hours are doing to our complexion.
Nobody is questioning the appeal of a tan. On catwalks and on Instagram timelines, bronzed skin means self-confidence, glamour, and a lively, free life. A-listers and influencers, whose glowing skin only serves to further this fixation. The vision of a “healthy” tan has also brought with it an alliance with ideas of vibrancy over so many years now, such as the belief that tanning makes you look more alive, active, or even exotic. Yet, in spite of the reality that warm shades of tan are indeed highly confidence-enhancing, the reality is that getting it is far riskier than individuals know.
When we get exposed to UV light, either naturally from the sun or artificially from tanning beds, our body discharges melanin, a pigment that tans the skin due to a protective response against damage in the lower layers of skin. Tan is basically your skin’s defense against more damage from UV. But even as the skin tries to defend itself, there are too many risks to having too much sun, some of which we’re not even aware of in the first place.
To start with, too much sun distorts the skin: sunburn, age spots, wrinkles, and lines are all signs that we’ve had too much. Better still is that it does damage to our skin without us even realizing it, accumulating until it develops skin cancer. In fact, experts estimate that getting one severe sunburn during childhood doubles the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult, given that those who use tanning beds are still at higher risk. Studies indicate that tanning beds, as a particular target population, are extremely hazardous, and their targeted UV radiation is associated with an acute risk of skin cancer. The radiation from these artificial beds is usually much more intense than from a day at the beach, and that is why it can cause catastrophic long-term consequences if used for that “perfect tan.”.
But even if you’re not using tanning beds or burning under the sun, the risk is still there. Over time, sun damage builds up since the ability of skin to bounce back from it is decreased with each exposure, and leads to a weakened skin barrier. This predisposes the skin to dryness, irritation, and inflammation, hence triggering such conditions as acne, rosacea, or other skin conditions to flare up. You can even notice changes like irregular pigmentation, black spots, or thinning of the skin that is liable to bruising. All these are factors in photoaging, and your skin begins aging much earlier than it would have otherwise aged, had you not exposed yourself to UV light.
What people do not know is that the problems do not occur simultaneously. Tanning inflicts cumulative harm that isn’t apparent until years later in the way of sag, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. The risk isn’t so much something you can look at on the surface; it’s the quiet, cellular abandonment that could potentially alter the nature of your skin and leave you more vulnerable to skin problems later in life. Tanning may provide the instant glow, but the cost to your skin is real and irreversible.
Luckily, over the past few decades, the cosmetics market has shifted towards an obsession with skin health, and people are now starting to look towards alternatives to sunshine. Self-tanning preparations like lotions, sprays, and mousses offer a healthier alternative to becoming golden brown without the harmful effects of UV radiation. These cosmetics, which chemically interact with the surface layers of skin, produce a tan-colored glow without ever exposing the skin to the sun. Even for non-spendy types, there are bronzing make-up, tanning wipes, and even tinted moisturizers that can impart a temporary glow with absolutely no risk to the health of the skin
We can tell that the tan craze lasts longer than any other passing craze; it’s something that is part of our culture and beauty definition. But as more and more of us are made aware of the long-term effects of sun and UV rays, it’s increasingly important that we get it right about our skin care. Healthy skin doesn’t have to have a tan in order to be radiant. So next time you’re thinking of getting some sun or tanning bed action for that “perfect look,” consider paying for it later. The healthy, sun-free shine of nature is never going to go out of fashion, and it’s the one that endures.
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