what is tan on skin

Tanning of the skin is the darkening of the skin through exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. When UV radiation hits the skin, the body senses that it is being injured and tries to protect itself by producing chemical changes within certain skin cells. This results in the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. Melanin is the bodys way of protecting the skin from burning, and it is produced by cells called melanocytes in response to UVA radiation, which penetrates to the lower layers of the skin and triggers melanin production. Darker-skinned people tan more deeply than lighter-skinned people because their melanocytes produce more melanin. Tanning is a sign of skin damage, as it is caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds, which leads to genetic damage to skin cells and can result in premature aging and skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with tanning and to take measures to protect the skin from UV exposure, such as using sunscreen and avoiding excessive tanning.