Is bronzing safe for health?

The tanning process is characterised by a change in skin colour . The skin becomes darker and takes on a golden hue. This phenomenon occurs after exposure to the sun's rays for a specific duration. It is the result of a body's defence mechanism.

Indeed, UV rays are harmful to health and are responsible for the excessive generation of free radicals. These reactive oxygen species interact with DNA and can cause genetic mutations. They also attack cell membranes and certain proteins.

To protect itself, the skin activates the synthesis of melanin by the melanocytes, a brown pigment that migrates to the surface of the epidermis and wraps around the DNA of the cells in the horny layer. However, this process is not always sufficient and tanning poses several health risks, particularly for individuals with very fair skin.

Enjoying the sun is not as harmless an activity as it may seem. Indeed, the various biological processes stimulated by UV rays have negative consequences for the skin and health.

• Hyperpigmentation.

  Under the influence of prolonged sun exposure, the transfer of melanin to the stratum corneum can be disrupted. Indeed, UV rays can alter the signalling pathways involved in the communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes. For instance, UV exposure can increase the activity of protein kinases, enzymes involved in the transmission of cellular signals. The signalling pathways regulating the distribution of melanin are then altered, which can lead to the accumulation of this pigment at the level of the epidermis and the creation of pigment spots on the skin.

• Premature ageing of the skin.

  UV rays also promote skin sagging and the appearance of wrinkles. Indeed, the free radicals they induce damage certain fibrous proteins in the dermis, such as collagen and elastin. These normally play a supportive role for the skin and contribute to its firmness and elasticity.

• Sunburn.

  Also known as actinic erythema, sunburns represent an inflammatory response of the skin following excessive sun exposure. This response is triggered by the body to repair skin cells damaged by UV rays. Sunburns can range in severity, characterised by redness, a sensation of heat, pain with itching, and sometimes blisters.

• Sun Exposure.

  Sunstroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature due to excessive exposure to heat and sun, resulting in a significant increase in body temperature. Common symptoms of sunstroke include headaches, dizziness, nausea, red and hot skin, rapid and shallow breathing, muscle weakness, and mental confusion.

• Cancers.

  One of the most severe health consequences of sun exposure is the development of cancers. These result from the mutagenic activity of UV rays, that is, their ability to induce genetic mutations in skin cells. UV rays can also cause DNA damage. If this damage is not properly repaired, cells can divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of a tumour.