UV Rays Offer Glowing Response To Attack Of Winter Doldrums

As winter drags on, many long for a relief from the frigid, arctic air. Tanning salons offer one way for people to achieve the bronzed glow reminiscent of summer but indoor tanning is generally disparaged due to the negative connotations associated with the process. However, Safari Sun tanning salon owner Cheri Schumacher believes that many people are misinformed about the actual nature of the tanning process and are too quick to dismiss it as a means of protecting themselves and reaping the benefits of exposure to sunlight.

The tanning process occurs in the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. When exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) light (which are shorter rays), melanocytes in the skin are stimulated to produce melanin. UVA light, which are longer rays, causes the melanin to darken. Sunburn occurs when too much UV light hits the skin and disrupts the tiny blood vessels at the skin’s surface. However, gradual exposure to sunlight leads to a tan which protects the skin from exposure to excessive amounts of UV light, according to Cheri Schumacher.

“Tanning is your body’s natural defense from the sun,” she said.

Research has shown that in addition to protecting the skin from extensive sun damage that burning causes, tanning provides other health benefits.

“People tan for different reasons,” she said. “A lot of people tan to relax on their lunch hours. It also produces vitamin D, helps with acne, psoriasis, and seasonal affective disorder. You want to tan before a trip to prevent burning and ruining your whole trip.”

A person should never assume that sunburn is necessary to tan, because the effects of the burn on the skin are dangerous. However tanning in moderation reduces the possibility of sunburn. Prevention of sunburn is the indoor tanning industry’s main objective. Sunburn prevention was the central reason that senior Lindsey Robinson, an employee at Safari Sun, began tanning.

“I started tanning because I was going on a trip and I didn’t want to burn,” she said. “Now I think it’s very calming to just lay there for 20 minutes. It gives me 20 minutes to relax and just breathe.”

Safari Sun is a member of the International Smart Tan Network. This organization specializes in education about the benefits and risks of tanning and provides information on how to tan intelligently. Cheri Schumacher particularly emphasizes the “golden rule” of smart tanning.

“It’s very important that you never burn,” she said.

According to Safari Sun assistant manager April Schumacher, thresholds for tolerance to UV exposure varies depending on the type of skin a person has. Customers are placed on a scale of one to six, with Type I skin typically belonging to people with blonde or red hair and very pale skin while Type VI skin is usually found with people who have naturally dark or tanned skin. It is important customers are aware of their skin type.

“The Smart Tan Network suggests that people with Type I skin, people with fair skin, eyes, and red hair, should not be allowed to tan,” she said. “However, being a fair skinned redhead myself, I can only suggest that redheads determined to tan should be prepared to take their time and be cautious.”

Tanning facilities in the United States are subject to regulations by the Food and Drug Administration. According to Cheri Schumacher, tanning indoors as opposed to outside is a wise decision. Safari Sun employees are trained to take into account a person’s skin type as well as the intensity of the tanning equipment that will provide the correct dosage of UV light that will minimize the risk of sunburn. These factors are impossible to dictate outdoors.

“It’s smarter to tan indoors because it’s a controlled environment,” she said. “We educate our employees and our customers on the prevention of burning and how to tan safely.”

It is important the customers take the advice of salon staff members in regard to how long they should tan, according to April Schumacher.

“We try to promote moderate, sensible and responsible exposure times at our salon,” she said.

Salon staff members are trained to be as knowledgeable as possible though, ultimately, the tanning client has to take responsibility to follow guidelines on how to tan intelligently

“Other precautions tanners should take include always wearing sanitized, FDA compliant eyewear which we do provide for our customers,” said April Schumacher. “If not properly protected a variety of eye injuries can occur, including cornea sunburn, cataracts, night vision loss, color vision loss, and blindness. Towels, eyelids, coins, etcetera do not sufficiently block the UV rays emitted by the tanning beds and should never be used as substitutes.”

April Schumacher also stresses the need for clients to be aware of other factors that may make them more susceptible to burning in order to avoid it.

“Be cautious of mixing tanning and photosensitive drugs,” she said. “There are many prescription, non-prescription, and herbal medications that can cause people taking them to be more sensitive to UV light rays than usual.”

Robinson advises that customers take advantage of a salon’s vast selection of tanning lotions to get the most out of their tanning experience.

“Customers should also know that they lose 30 percent of the tanning rays if they don’t use a lotion,” she said. “Lotions are also important because they moisturize your skin.”

If a customer takes into consideration this advice, he or she will maximize the advantages of the tanning experience including the psychological benefits, according to Cheri Schumacher.

“It gives people a more positive attitude and a more positive self image,” she said. “If you look better, you feel better.”

In spite of the health benefits associated with tanning, April Schumacher admits that a bronzed glow and the relief from the doldrums gained from tanning are often the main forces in a person’s decision to tan. She maintains that as long as a person is cautious with his or her exposure, indoor tanning is a beneficial way to gain these effects.

“I know I tan because it warms me up and I enjoy not being porcelain white for a change,” she said.

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