Suntan – Causes, symptoms and treatment

Overview  

It is common to get exposed to the sun, especially when living in a tropical country like India. Sun exposure can cause suntan, which can ruin our pampering over the years. Therefore, taking safety precautions before heading out gives optimum sun protection. Different skin types have various reactions to exposure to the sun. We randomly purchase cosmetics with sun protection without knowing the actual effectiveness. It is essential to know about a suntan, its causes and ways to treat it.

What is a suntan?  

Sun tanning is the process of an increase in the skin pigment, melanin, due to sun exposure. Skin tans protect the body from sun damage.

When exposed to direct sunlight, the body releases melanin below the skin’s surface. This facilitates the absorption of UV radiation. Thus, the pigmentation increases, and the tan darkens with increased UV exposure.

Skin tanning frequently occurs in the

• Face
• Arms
• Hands
• Legs
• Feet
• Back
• Neck

How does suntan occur?  

There are many wavelengths in the solar spectrum, but UV light is essential for causing skin damage. UVA, UVB, and UVC are the three wavelengths of UV light.  

While UVA rays darken the skin and promote photo ageing, UVB rays burn the skin. UVA rays that penetrate the skin’s layers induce melanocytes to overproduce melanin, oxidising and darkening further to produce tanning. They also damage collagen.

Suntan measurement  

Suntan is when there are two different tones in the skin.  

The scale used to describe our skin type and the one that is universally accepted is the Fitzpatrick scale. This scale can be used to determine how different skin types react to UV rays.  

Indians have skin types 4 or 5, according to Fitzpatrick’s classification system. The Fitzpatrick skin types 4 and 5 have low skin burning and easy tanning characteristics.

Causes of suntan  

Melanocytes produce the naturally occurring pigment melanin. Melanin protects the body from injury by absorbing the sun’s UV radiation.  

The ability to induce tanning exists in natural sunlight. Excessive UV radiation causes suntan and other direct and indirect DNA damage to the skin.  

The body automatically fights and heals the damage and protects the skin by releasing additional melanin into the skin cells.  

Melanin production results in a tendency for our skin’s colour to deepen. This process also makes our skin tone more uneven.

UV A

It is believed that the most dangerous component causing skin tanning is UVA rays. UV rays penetrate through the skin layers and damage the skin cells in the deepest layers of the skin. The skin becomes brown and dark because the melanocytes release melanin.

UV B

In most cases, UV B rays damage the skin’s outermost layers. Summer is when people are most exposed to these rays, and winter is when it decreases. UVB photons do not stimulate melanocytes. Since it causes DNA damage, melanin production is increased even more.

Symptoms of suntan  

Suntan manifests in the form of  

• Sore, red and dark skin.

• The skin is occasionally swollen and painful, with a burning sensation.

• Darkening, peeling, or itching of the skin on exposed body regions such as the face, arms, legs, neck, feet, hands, and back are mild symptoms.  

• Burns and blisters on the skin are signs of severe sun tan, along with fainting, unconsciousness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness and vomiting.

Effects of tanning  

• The first tan marks the beginning of skin damage. The skin ages and changes after tanning.

• Tanning is a visible symptom of skin damage that hastens the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots and damaged skin.

• Indoor tanning, like tanning beds, can be harmful as it elevates the risk of skin cancer. They are not a safe alternative to natural sunlight.  

• Even for individuals with darker skin, tanning can damage the DNA and cause premature ageing and skin cancer. Tanning also results in premature ageing.

• The risk increases further if a person is affected by skin cancer.  

• Taking precautions to protect yourself from the sun can easily lower the risk of getting skin cancer.

Sun tanning related to skin types.  

There are several types of skin tans and sun reactions depending on the colour of the skin.

• Pale white skin tone gets sunburn due to exposure to the sun but never tans.
• Beige skin tone burns moderately in the sun and tans to a light brown.
• White to light beige tone burns easily in the sun but tans less.
• Light brown skin rarely burns and gives the skin a medium brown colour on tanning.
• Brown skin tone rarely burns. Such skin turns a dark brown colour and may eventually need tanning treatment.
• Dark brown or black complexions contain a lot of melanin; they never burn and tan heavily when exposed to the sun.

Suntan treatments  

Chemical peels  

A chemical peel is one of the tan-removing procedures that help get rid of the dead skin cells present on the surface of the skin.

Chemical peels employ glycolic, trichloroacetic, salicylic, or lactic acid. Chemical peels are divided into three groups according to their intensity—superficial, medium, and deep peeling.

Laser toning  

Laser device helps break the melanin pigment and reduce tanning. High-intensity monochromatic coherent light is generated by lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation).

This light energy transforms into heat energy when used on the skin, allowing it to target a particular chromophore (the melanin pigment in the skin) without damaging the tissue around it. They penetrate the deeper skin layers to eliminate the excess melanin.

Microdermabrasion  

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure where the top layer of the epidermis is manually exfoliated and helps remove skin tanning.

Removing the tanned layer reveals fresh and healthy-looking skin. This painless procedure is ideal for all skin types and is the best way to remove facial tanning since it promotes the production of new skin cells, reduces scarring and smooths the skin on the face.

Tan removal creams  

Tan removal creams only provide a temporary fix. Tanning affects the skin’s deeper layers as well as the epidermis. These creams might remove the tan from the surface layers but never remove it completely since they never reach the deeper layers.  

Also, tan removal creams prescribed by a dermatologist must be preferred.  

Lightening actives  

Lightening actives are chemical substances that work to lighten the skin by preventing tanning.

Effective face tan removal treatments include the use of lightening agents, including liquorice, niacinamide, vitamin C, and kojic acid.

Kojic Acid

Derived from a mushroom-like fungus produced during fermentation, kojic acid seeps through the top layers of skin and prevents melanin formation, which lightens the skin.  

Vitamin C  

Tyrosinase, an enzyme, helps the skin produce melanin. Vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase, reducing melanin in the skin and preventing tanning.

Niacinamide  

Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, can help lighten and remove tan from the skin. It is efficient as it reduces by more than half the quantity of melanin that pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) transfer to the surface.

Liquorice

Liquorice roots contain glabridin and liquidity, which are helpful for problems with skin tanning.

Exfoliation  

Exfoliation is a useful procedure for removing dead pigmented skin cells from the skin’s surface. This makes the skin tone brighter and more even, which reduces the appearance of a tan.

Chemical exfoliation methods, which use chemicals like alpha and beta hydroxy acids for dissolving dead skin cells, are an option for people with sensitive skin. Those with oily skin may choose mechanical exfoliation techniques, which use brushes or sponges to remove the skin’s dead cells.

Home remedies  

Home remedies are the go-to treatment for suntan. Tomato and lemon juice are effective for lightening skin tan.

These all-natural ingredients give the skin an immediate boost of brightness and radiance.  

Dry skin suntan removal

Use two teaspoons of rose petal powder and two tablespoons of sandalwood powder for dry skin.  

Mix this combination with 3.5 teaspoons tomato juice and 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice to make a paste.

Apply this as a face mask for smoother, brighter skin.

Oily skin suntan removal

Combine three tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth or Multani Mitti with four teaspoons of tomato juice and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice for oily, acne-prone skin.  

Mix the ingredients and use this to cleanse the skin.

Role of sunscreen  

Excessive sun exposure causes premature skin ageing and damages the DNA. The worst-case scenario is skin cancer, which can result from prolonged and excessive sun exposure. Before going outside on a sunny day, take safety precautions and use sunscreen.

Sunscreen or sunblock reduces or blocks the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Sunscreens come in several varieties and SPF ranges. The SPF rating on a sunscreen indicates the degree of UV protection it can provide. Sunscreens with a higher SPF rating offer a powerful barrier against UV radiation.  

Even on overcast or cloudy days, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be used frequently. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, one can cover the eyes with sunglasses and wear a hat or scarf to block UV rays.

Suntan protection  

The following are some precautions to follow to prevent tanning.

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of a minimum of 30. Apply it 20 to 30 minutes before stepping out in the sun and reapply sunscreen every 3 hours.

• Avoid going outside in the sun, especially when it is most severe.

• Put on protective clothing to prevent tanning of the skin.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, scarves and sunglasses while going out in the sun.

• Procedures like laser toning, chemical peels, etc., help remove suntan. They also enhance, lighten, revitalise, and leave the skin feeling smooth and bright.

Conclusion  

Excessive sun exposure accelerates skin ageing, wrinkles and even skin cancer. The skin becomes tanned when the amount of melanin increases.

Therefore, taking precautions helps prevent and treat suntan. Cleanse and exfoliate the skin to maintain hydration. Consume plenty of fluids and use remedies to protect from sun damage and elevated melanin concentration.

Using sunscreen, covering while going out, taking healthy foods and following proper skin care are essential for preventing suntan.

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