By Susan Jumonville
Dark self turners refer to equipment or products used to tan skin
or make its color darker. Dark self tanners or the sun produce the
ultraviolet radiation that is used to achieve this effect. Windburn or
reflected light may also produce the same effect if one is exposed to
them for a long time.
Dark self tanning may occur unintentionally or intentionally. Individuals who do it deliberately may use chemical products or engage in sun bathing. Unintentional exposure to sun rays for long may present some adverse consequences although there are a few benefits. The advantage is that when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, it synthesizes Vitamin D. Overindulgence in sun bathing may cause skin cancer, sunburn, a higher risk of aging, and depressed functioning of the immune system.
Dark self tanners appear in various shapes, colors, and sizes. They are built of metallic materials such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, or their respective alloys. There shapes are cylindrical to form a cavity within which a person lies down. Dark self tanners also contain leads which have UV sources. Once one lies down, the UV sources are switched on to illuminate the body. The dimensions of tanners are designed to suit that of adult human beings.
Dark self tanners have predetermined intensity settings and time frames, which one can stay inside. Beyond that time or intensity, the radiation becomes harmful to the skin. Tanning varies among individuals, with some taking a short period while others take too long. The ease with which one tans depends on genetic factors such as natural skin color and type.
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 task of melanin is to soak up solar energy therefore safeguarding the body from damage. Excess solar energy can damage DNA chains directly or indirectly. The body system counters the damage by generating and discharging more melanin into membrane cells. This increased production of melanin is mainly stimulated by UVB beams because of direct or indirect photo-damage. The tan that comes from this activity stays longer and is darker but only becomes evident after three days of exposure.
UV-A also results in creation of a tan. Here, UV-A causes oxidative stress, which leads to oxidation of the melanin already present. When melanin is oxidized, its color turns to dark brown. UVA generated by the sun or dark self tanners also causes existing melanin to redistribute although its quantity remains the same. This makes oxidation of melanin less capable of protecting the body against UV damage than UVB. Dark self tanners have a lot of uses in the fashion businesses, where models utilize them to darken their skins before engaging in competitions.
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.
Dark self tanning may occur unintentionally or intentionally. Individuals who do it deliberately may use chemical products or engage in sun bathing. Unintentional exposure to sun rays for long may present some adverse consequences although there are a few benefits. The advantage is that when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, it synthesizes Vitamin D. Overindulgence in sun bathing may cause skin cancer, sunburn, a higher risk of aging, and depressed functioning of the immune system.
Dark self tanners appear in various shapes, colors, and sizes. They are built of metallic materials such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, or their respective alloys. There shapes are cylindrical to form a cavity within which a person lies down. Dark self tanners also contain leads which have UV sources. Once one lies down, the UV sources are switched on to illuminate the body. The dimensions of tanners are designed to suit that of adult human beings.
Dark self tanners have predetermined intensity settings and time frames, which one can stay inside. Beyond that time or intensity, the radiation becomes harmful to the skin. Tanning varies among individuals, with some taking a short period while others take too long. The ease with which one tans depends on genetic factors such as natural skin color and type.
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 task of melanin is to soak up solar energy therefore safeguarding the body from damage. Excess solar energy can damage DNA chains directly or indirectly. The body system counters the damage by generating and discharging more melanin into membrane cells. This increased production of melanin is mainly stimulated by UVB beams because of direct or indirect photo-damage. The tan that comes from this activity stays longer and is darker but only becomes evident after three days of exposure.
UV-A also results in creation of a tan. Here, UV-A causes oxidative stress, which leads to oxidation of the melanin already present. When melanin is oxidized, its color turns to dark brown. UVA generated by the sun or dark self tanners also causes existing melanin to redistribute although its quantity remains the same. This makes oxidation of melanin less capable of protecting the body against UV damage than UVB. Dark self tanners have a lot of uses in the fashion businesses, where models utilize them to darken their skins before engaging in competitions.
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.
