Aging Effects of Sun Tanning Aging effects of sun tanning take place on two different levels in the epidermis causing premature aging of the skin and many skin cancers. The right amount of sun tanning can help you to look wonderful – tawny, glowing, healthy. Too much sun and you will be doing your skin irreparable damage from the aging effects of sun tanning and depleting your body of vitamin B. Prolonged sun exposure, year after year, is responsible for both premature aging of the skin and many skin cancers. The damage is cumulative. It is only about one per cent of the sun’s radiation that affects the skin and all the burning and tanning is caused by the invisible short-wave ultra-violet rays. Everyday exposure to sunlight accounts for up to 80% of the signs of premature skin aging. Many of these signs of 'photo-aging' can begin to develop as early as in our 20's. Photo Age Reverse can reverse some of the worst signs of aging caused by the sun. Rigorous testing shows it can also prevent the appearance of further photo-aging of skin. The Aging Effects of Sun Tanning First, the pigment-bearing cells, tucked away on the underside of the epidermis, are activated by the ultra-violet rays – only the shortest of these rays are strong enough to penetrate the cells making them produce melanin (the brownish pigment). The aging effects of sun tanning cannot be seen for about two days, but it is this action that produces a long-lasting sun tan. Meanwhile the longer-wave rays work on the melanin granules that already exist in the upper layers of the epidermis, turning them a dark brown. The reason why the long-lasting sun tan is slow in coming is that the lower melanin granules gradually work their way to the surface. Sun tan disappears not because it ‘fades’ but because the pigmented cells naturally flake off. Preserving a sun tan, involves controlling this natural shedding of cells. This can be done by using oil in your bath and a body lotion afterwards. But this same action slows down the rate your skin cells regenerate and the older dead cells clog the surface of your skin. A Sun Tan is a Natural Defense Mechanism Against the Effects of the Sun The granules of melanin act as a screen on the surface of your skin, filtering out harmful rays and protecting the delicate under layers. If this were the only effect of the ultra-violet waves, there would be few problems, but they also release a chemical that penetrates the skin’s inner layer. It is this that causes the blood vessels to dilate, accounting for a lobster red color. Some hours later the dilated vessels allow serum to enter the damaged tissues. This leads to swelling, pressure and irritation on nerve endings; peeling follows and in severe cases, blisters. Damaged skin cells work their way to the surface, become harder and thicker, forming a tough outer layer. This is the second line of defense for the skin, as it re... | 