by Victoria - 17. September, 2009 10:44

We know you love tanning, and we love watching you shine! But have you ever wondered how tanning works? We’re not talking how to tan or why you tan, but how the actual tanning process happens. That’s what this blog is all about.

Tanning is your body’s natural defense to the sun; when the rays hit your skin and go to your melanocyte cell, the cell produces melanin and releases it. The melanin then rises to the top of your skin and oxidizes; that’s what makes you tan.

UV-A rays are the longest, and when they contact your skin, they penetrate the deepest, down into the dermis layer, and produce those rich gold and brown tones you love. We like to call them “gentle tanning” rays because they gradually begin the tanning process from the inside out.

UV-B rays are shorter rays, but are much more intense than UV-A rays. They remain at the top layer of your skin, and stimulate your skin to release melanin, which is your body’s chemical that creates your tan. UV-A rays oxidize melanin released by UV-B rays, which is what creates your familiar tanning colors. But be careful—too much UV-B can cause your skin to redden.

By using specially designed lamps in our bed to expose you evenly to different levels of these rays, we can create the perfect all-over color you know and love.

If you’d like to learn more, check out our FAQ section about the ins and outs of tanning!

Category: General