Homer seeks enlightenment: I have friends who go to tanning beds before summer to get a base tan. They say this protects their skin from getting sunburned. Is this true? I imagine it’s just two ways to give yourself sun damage.
Right Brain Shines on:
This is a great question Homer as a number of people believe in getting base tans. The idea is that getting a
base tan increases the amount of melanin (protective pigment) in your skin which will in turn protect you from further UV damage. It even seems logical that if you have more melanin you’ll be better protected from the sun. But as we showed previously, just because something is logical doesn’t mean it’s true. Unfortunately, logic fails here because the base tan protection theory just doesn’t hold up when enlightened.
How a tan is produced
It’s helpful to learn what’s going on when you get a tan. Essentially, your skin has specialized cells in it called melanocytes that produce melanin. Some people produce more than others which is why there are so many different colored people in the world. The amount produced is genetically determined, but it is also affected by the presence or absence of UV rays. When the melanocytes get stimulated by UV, they produce more pigment. This extra pigment eventually makes it’s way to the out layers of your skin and to give a more brownish color. For more info see this article about tanning from BBC Science & Nature.
Why base tans are bogus
There are a couple of problems with the base tan protection theory.
Melanin is not enough
First, while it’s true that melanin does protect skin from getting burned it is not substantial. One doctor estimates that tanned skin has the equivalent of an SPF of 4 or less. This may or may not be accurate but there were no studies found to dispute it. To really protect your skin from the damage of UV, you’ll need an SPF of 15 or more. You’ll also need to reapply every 90 minutes.
Tanned skin is damaged skin
The other significant problem with the base tan defense theory is that tanned skin is damaged skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists tanning has a dark side. They say people who tan frequently are more prone to skin cancer than people who avoid sun exposure. They also point out that tanning causes premature skin aging and can lead to wrinkling and a leathery appearance.
A better method of protection
Instead of using the base tan defense, try some of these recommendations that are proven to keep your skin safe from the sun.
- Avoid the sun when its rays are strongest (between 10 am & 4 pm)
- Wear protective clothing including hats, long pants and long sleeved shirts
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes
- Always wear SPF 15 or higher sunscreen
Embrace your paler skin. It’s healthier and will look better as you get older. Of course, if you still want the tan look, use a sunless tanner instead.
Beauty Brains bottom line
No, getting a base tan will not substantially help protect your skin from getting burned. Instead it is going to speed up the aging process and likely lead to the development of pre-mature wrinkling. Wearing sunscreen and limiting exposure is the best way to protect skin from damaging UV rays.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I was never entirely certain what a “base tan” was, anyway. A tan is a tan is a tan — and it’s all damage. Calling the initial darkness a “base tan” is like saying that it’s “base damage” that will keep your skin from getting damaged further … when it’s … already damaged. o_O
I regret the time I spent sun tanning, as well as not using sunscreen daily. As a result, I’ve acquired freckling all over my face, neck, chest, & arms. I’m very self-conscious putting on tops and dresses that are sleeveless with low neck lines. So far I’ve spent $3000 at a dermatologist’s office to remove the freckling and I’ve got a few more laser treatments to go. Ouch! Lucky for me, the skin on my face is still wrinkle-free and I have no signs of skin cancer. Now, I slather up with sunscreen every day and avoid the sun as much as possible to avoid the ill effects.
Last summer, I fake-baked (for the first and last time)to get a base tan so that when I went on my honeymoon in July, my pasty skin wouldn’t turn lobster-red the first day and ruin the whole trip. It worked, and the honeymoon was fab. No sunburn!
Thanks for the info on base tans! I could’ve sworn they worked on preventing further burning….until last summer, base tan and all, when I went hiking and burnt my forearms until they blistered. Now it’s long-sleeved shirts and sunscreen for me.
I prefer to use self-tanner to make myself appear to have a base tan, then am vigilant with SPF 30 or more sunscreen. Even with the sunscreen, I still eventually get tanned (but not burned!), but no one is the wiser about my fake summer glow.