Understanding Your Skin's Tanning Potential

by Diane Burke

With a little common sense and some education, most sunburns can be avoided altogether. Whether you tan indoors at a tanning salon or achieve your tan outdoors with Mother Nature, learning about your skin type and how to tell when you have had enough ultraviolet exposure will help you quickly identify when to come in from the sun. Additionally, if you are taking any medications or natural supplements you should research if they are capable of causing a photosensitive reaction.

Skin typing helps determine how many sessions it will take you to establish a base tan and how long you can be in the tanning unit without experiencing an uncomfortable and unnecessary sunburn.

Remember, skin type determines the amount of natural protection a person has against ultraviolet light. Because of the variety among people with different genetic backgrounds, dermatologists categorize humans into six different skin types, starting from the lightest and working up to the darkest.

For example, fair skin burns easily and produces little tan because it has little natural protection. Dark skin tans more easily and burns less because it has more natural protection. Therefore, lighter shades should tan for relatively short time periods, while darker shades may tan for more extended periods of time.

If you are an indoor tanner, you must take into account your skin type, as well as the maximum exposure time on the tanning unit you are using. If this sounds confusing, don't worry--your salon professional will help you determine your exposure time according to the formulas. Remember, they are there to provide you with the tools to achieve a gradual tan in a responsible manner.

If you are achieving your tan outdoors, you are your own best monitor. Be sure to check the daily Ultraviolet Index for your area. The index forecasts the amount of ultraviolet radiation that will reach the earth's surface during the peak hour of sunlight, which usually is noon. Typically, the index can be found in the weather section of your local newspaper or on a weather Web site.

The UV Index is based on three variables: the sun's height in the sky; the amount of ozone in the atmosphere above each location; and, the forecast for cloud cover at each location. All these help you determine your high-risk exposure times. Also, if you feel yourself beginning to burn, get out of the sun and into the shade. Remember, responsible exposure is the key to achieving a healthy-looking, golden tan for all your friends to admire.

Photosensitization

Photosensitivity is a physical reaction that occurs in varying degrees to a certain portion of the population. It occurs when different drugs, chemicals or medical conditions react with ultraviolet light, causing the skin to become more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

The photosensitivity-causing chemical may enter the skin several ways: orally, topically or parenterally (not through the digestive tract), but must be present when the skinis exposed.

Compounds that can cause photosensitivity usually are cosmetic or therapeutic in nature. Sometimes the chemical changes that occur reduce the skin's ability to defend or heal itself. Some medications are designed specifically to enhance the immune system or reduce the immune response. There also are medical conditions that cause a similar response. Hopefully, if you have one, you have been told by your physician to be careful of sun exposure. It is important to remember that ultraviolet light is the same whether it is emitted from the sun or from a tanning bed.

There are a number of reactions that can occur from mixing certain medications with ultraviolet light. The reaction is almost the opposite of putting sunscreen on the skin. For example, an SPF 8 lotion is formulated to allow a person to remain in the sun for eight times as long without burning. In the case of a photosensitizing agent, the person only may be able to be out in the sun for one-fourth of the time they normally can before getting erythema or sunburn.

It also is important to note that certain drugs are more photosensitive than others. For example, Tetracycline, Thiazide and anti-cancer drugs, such as Interferon, top the list as most probable to cause a severe reaction.

As a responsible tanner, you must be aware of the fact that each individual is different and there are varying portions of the population that will react to any given medication or product.

Other points to consider are formulation, metabolism, elimination factors and photochemical reactivity, as well as the method of administration. Factors associated with radiation include the special irradiance of the ultraviolet source, dose and rate of delivery, number and frequency of exposure and the timing of the radiation relative to the presence of the chemical in the body.

The clinical features of photosensitization reactions vary with the chemical and the individual. Skin eruptions tend to occur in areas of greatest exposure. In the event of an injury developing from overexposure to ultraviolet light, stop the exposure immediately. For mild sunburn, cold compresses should be kept on the affected areas until the pain subsides. Soaking with Aveeno Oilated oatmeal, cold cream and other bland medications are fine for a mild sunburn. Do not use any anesthetic ointment with the word "caine" in it, as this could cause a severe allergic reaction.

Please refer to page 34 for a list of photosensitizing drugs and agents. This list is required by law to be posted in tanning salons; however, you should familiarize yourself with it for your outdoor activities as well.