Monday, July 29, 2013

How Dark Self Tanners Function

By Haywwod Hunter


Dark self turners are appliances or products utilized for making skin color darker or for tanning it. Dark self tanners and/or natural sun generate ultraviolet radiation used for attaining this effect. Light reflected from various surfaces or windburn may also cause the same effect over a long period of exposure.

Dark self tanning can occur intentionally or unintentionally. People who do it intentionally may engage in sun bathing or they may use chemical products. Unintentional exposure to sunbeams for a long time may present some unfavorable consequences although there are some benefits. The skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation synthesizes Vitamin D. Excess exposure may cause sunburn, skin cancer, depressed function in the immune system, and a higher danger of aging.

Dark self tanners are produced in various colors, sizes, and shapes. They are built from metallic materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and iron or the respective alloys. They are shaped like cylinders to form a hollow in which a person can lie. Dark self tanners contain leads on which UV sources are fixed. Once one takes position in the cavity, ultraviolet are switched on to radiate the skin. The measurements of dark self tanners are made to suit the size of an adult.

Dark self tanners have set time frames and intensity settings, which one may stay in. Beyond that intensity or time, the radiation becomes unsafe for the skin. Tanning differs among individuals, with others taking a short time while others take very long. The simplicity with which one can tan depends on genetic attributes like natural skin type and color.

There are two key manners in which skin color is affected by dark self tanners. Ultraviolet rays generated by dark self tanners can be categorized into UVA and UVB. Both variants result into melanogenesis, the process by which melanocytes synthesize melanin pigments. Melanin pigments are also of two kinds, the brown one referred to as eumelanin and the red one called pheomelanini.

The function of melanin is to absorb solar radiation hence protecting the body. Excess solar rays may cause direct or indirect damage to DNA chains. The body counters such damages by synthesizing and releasing more melanin into the cells of the skin. This increased synthesis of melanin is chiefly triggered by UV-B radiation due to direct photodamage. The tan produced due to this process is darker and lasts longer but it only becomes visible after 72 hours of exposure.

UVA also results in generation of a tan. Here, UVA causes oxidative stress that leads to oxidation of melanin that already exists. When melanin gets oxidized, it changes color to dark brown. UVA emitted by the natural sun or self tanners also redistributes the existing melanin even though its quantity does not change. This makes oxidized melanin less competent in protecting the body from ultraviolet destruction than UVB. Dark self tanners have many uses in fashion industry. Models apply them to tan their skins prior to engaging in beauty contests.

Dark self tanners are expensive equipment. They need good handling and maintenance for them to last long. If great care is taken of dark self tanners, they can last several years.




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