Tanning takes place in the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. About five percent of the cells in your epidermis are special cells coiled melanocyte's. When exposed to ultraviolet B light (short wave ultraviolet), melanocyte's produce melanin--the pigment which is ultimately responsible for your tan. The pinkish melanin travels up through the epidermis and is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to ultraviolet A light (longer wave), the melanin oxidizes or darkens. This darkening is your skin's way of protecting itself against too much UV light.

Everyone has the same number of melanocyte's in their body - about five million. But your heredity dictates how much melanin your body's melanocyte's naturally will produce. For example, the skin of African-Americans contains enough melanin to create a black or brown skin color, while the skin of Caucasians has less melanin and is pale.

In order to most effectively avoid overexposure, a tan should be acquired gradually, according to
the guidelines prescribed by your salon professional. A sunburn, or erythema, occurs when too much ultraviolet light reaches the skin and disrupts the tiny blood vessels near the skin's surface.

Why does a tan fade? Cells in the epidermis' germinative layer (also called the living epidermis) are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the horny layer (dead epidermis), where they are sloughed off in about one month. As your skin replaces its cells, the cells laden with melanin are removed. So the tanning process must continue with the new cells.

Understanding Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light, whether produced by the sun or an indoor tanning unit, consists of two main components, UVA and UVB, both of which contribute differently to your tan. Indoor tanning equipment utilizes a carefully formulated and controlled mixture of the two light waves, designed to tan you with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this control, because the sun emits the entire spectrum of ultraviolet light, including the most intense rays that burn you
more quickly. That's why we call indoor tanning "Smart Tanning."

Epidermis

Your skin's epidermis consists of two layers: the germinative layer (sometimes called the "living" epidermis) and the horny layer (the "dead" epidermis).

When exposed to ultraviolet light, melanocyte in the germinative layer produce melanin which is absorbed by the surrounding cells. This creates a protective barrier from ultraviolet light reaching deeper, more sensitive layers of the skin. This whole tanning process is the body's own natural defense against sunburn and skin damage.

Why Redder Isn't Better

Many people grow up thinking that if they don't experience a slight red or pinkish tint after they tan that they didn't "get anything." The truth is that the red or pinkish tint you see is actually sunburn (or
erythema) - your skin's worst enemy. The fact is that the sunburns we experience due to lack of information when we are growing up are the very things that lead to skin damage later in life.

Smart tanners know that the key to avoiding sunburn is moderation in terms of UV exposure. The best way to ensure a "smart tan" is to take advantage of the years of research that have gone into tanning equipment to provide you with a controlled, predictable dosage of UV light. Also, use lotions to moisturize your skin before tanning and, if you do tan outdoors, remember that the sun emits whatever types of UV rays it wants. Several other environmental factors come in to play with outdoor UV light, making exposure unpredictable.

Don't rely on the color of your skin to tell you when I get out of the sun. Overexposure isn't evident sometimes unlit hours after the sun's gone down. It's better to use a sunscreen and to wear protective clothing than to risk overexposure which can lead to skin damage

Skin Types

Knowing your skin type is very important when it comes to exposing yourself in a tanning bed or the sun. The nature of your skin type is genetically determined, and has a lot to do with the manner in which you skin will tan, and the protection it will afford against getting burned. Lotions, creams or frequency of exposure will not affect the ability of some skin types, namely Types I & II, to produce a tan, or to get darker than they naturally will get. People with Type I skin should avoid exposure inside or out, because their skin cannot produce the protection necessary and will only wind up becoming damaged unless he/she uses the UV FREE MYSTIC TAN SPRAY.

Skin Type I - This skin type will never tan, and always burn sunless he/she uses the UV FREE MYSTIC TAN SPRAY. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: very fair almost white skin, blue/green eye color, light colored hair, freckles. Usually of Scottish, English or Irish heritage.

Skin Type II - Has to ability to tan, but can burn very easily. Similar fair skin to Type I, but will slightly darken with controlled exposure. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: fair skinned with freckles, brown/blue eye color, red/blond hair. Usually of Scottish, English, or Scandinavian heritage.

Skin Type III - Tans easily, but still can burn. This is the most prevalent skin type in the United States. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: brown eyes, dark hair. Usually of central European heritage.

Skin Type IV - Tans easily and seldom burns. This skin type can get a dark tan very quickly. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: dark eyes, dark hair. Usually of Mediterranean, Oriental, or Hispanic heritage.

Skin Type V - Tans easily and rarely burns. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: dark eyes, dark hair. Usually of Asian Indian, American Indian, Hispanic, African, or African-American heritage.

Skin Type VI - Tans easily and never burns. Physical characteristics of this skin type are: dark eyes, dark hair, and very dark skin. Usually of African, or African-American heritage.