woman tanning outside in a chair on the beach
BEAUTY
Here's What's Actually Happening To Your Skin When You Tan
By TESSA A. ADAMS
Getting enough sun is important, but too much sun exposure can damage your skin cells. To enjoy the perks of vitamin D safely, we should know what happens when we get a tan.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Your skin gets darker during a tan because your cells are producing melanin to fight off further damage from the sun.
The tanner your skin, the more at risk it is for cancerous cell growth, and the harder your body is working to keep you safe. The skin tans to create a barrier from UV rays.
When going outside, always wear an SPF of at least 30 to avoid the effects of too much sun exposure, including fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer.