by Liane Membis 

Whether just for the summer or year-round, tanning is a popular way to transform your skin into a fashion statement. Likewise, the sun is always there to help. But sun tanning can cause major damage to your skin and body. It’s important to know how the process works to protect yourself.

How Does It Happen?

When the sun shines, it gives off two forms of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB. UVB travels below the upper skin layer and is the cause of sunburns. UVA is what makes people tan—it travels below the skin and activates cells to create melanin, the brown pigment that makes people tan.

How Is It Harmful?

UV rays can cause surface cellular damage! It can appear as: 

• Blotchy skin
• Leathery, old-looking skin
• Brown age spots
• Wrinkles and bags

Because UVA rays must travel deeper into the skin to create tans, the radiation comes closer to the internal parts of your body. This can lead to a serious skin cancer called melanoma.

Alternatives?

Don’t give up on your tan just yet. Other alternatives exist that don’t require the sun and can give you an even glow.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is found in spray tans, simply stains the dead skin cells on your body. Although they're not free, spray bottle tans are an effective way to bronze the skin and save you from sunburns. Airbrushing, a spray-on tan done by professional salons, is another technique.

Best Defender?

Use the following tips to protect yourself from the sun whether you're lounging at the beach or working in the yard all day:

• Wear sunscreen or sunblock. The higher the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), the more defense against UV rays.
• Wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
• Apply sunscreen thickly and frequently to protect yourself all day.
• Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Take sun breaks. The sun’s strongest hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so think about cooling off indoors.
• Wear a large hat to stay shady and cool.