Everyone knows how great a deep, dark tan looks, but most people are unaware of how the tanning process actually takes place within the skin. Believe it or not, the process of tanning is really quite interesting. In addition, the better you understand the process, the better capable you will be of preventing damage from occurring to your skin and of achieving the tan you have always dreamed of.

Getting Your Melanin Moving

When your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, it causes your melanin to increase its production. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its color. Therefore, when larger amounts of it are produced, you skin begins to appear darker in color. In essence, this excessive production is your body's way of building up a resistance to the sunlight. This is why people with a dark tan can typically spend more time in the sun without getting burned, even if they do not have on sun protection.

The Pros and Cons to Overproduction of Melanin

Obviously, it benefits your skin to increase melanin production because it helps to protect it from the potentially harmful elements of the sun. If you have fair skin, this is particularly helpful because getting a gradual tan will darken your skin and help prevent burning when you spend time outdoors. Unfortunately, overexposure to the sun can also lead to skin cancer.

When skin cancer is related to exposure to the sun, it is generally because the skin was exposed for far too long and became burned. When this damaged skin tries to repair itself, certain steps of cell production can go awry and cause problems with your skin much later in your life. This is precisely why it is important to build your tan gradually rather than trying to take in too much sun all at once. By doing so, you will prevent sunburns from occurring while also helping to build up your skin's resistance to the sun.

Tanning the Artificial Way

Of course, if the thought of tanning naturally or with the help of a tanning bed is a bit scary to you or if you simply don't have the time to work at building up a tan naturally, you might want to consider using a self-tanner instead. Gone are the days when self-tanners leave your skin looking an unnatural shade of orange. Today's tanners are far more sophisticated and look just as natural as the real thing when applied properly. Another perk to self-tanners is that many contain moisturizes, nutrients, and conditioners that help firm, tone, and smooth your skin. In that way, you can achieve a great looking tan while also helping your skin become healthier.