A basic tan is achieved by tanning little by little.
A basic tan refers to the slow and gradual tanning of the skin in natural or artificial sunlight. In essence, it is a tan obtained over time, rather than long exposure to the sun for a short period of time. Many tanning salons suggest that indoor tanning can work as a protective measure against sunburn and recommend placing one in a tanning bed before heading out on a beach vacation or tropical cruise.
Sunlight contains UVA and UVB rays, which are harmful.
The theory behind a basic tan is that skin gradually takes on color and is therefore less likely to burn from sudden sun exposure, such as on a summer beach or pool vacation. This particular theory is widely debated, but professionals in the tanning salon industry claim that a slow, gradual tan is a much safer way to achieve darker skin than exposing your skin to extreme sun all at once.
Most tanning salons suggest developing a basic tan using tanning beds before going out in the sun.
The American Academy of Dermatology and most doctors argue that a basic tan does not protect a person from sunburn. It can actually reduce the appearance of sunburn, but it’s the exposure to UVA and UVB radiation that damages the skin, whether the end result is flushed or tanned skin. Also, many people mistakenly believe that having a tan means that they do not need sunscreen during full sun exposure and neglect their skin.
Whether a person chooses to expose themselves to the sun all at once or slowly over time, the important thing to remember is that there is no safe way to tan. While some UVA and UVB exposure is healthy, an SPF 15 sunscreen should be worn at all times to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet light. UVA radiation is found in both artificial and natural sunlight and is a known cause of cancer.
Although the risk factors and taxa of melanoma development as a result of exposure to the sun are still being studied, most health professionals agree that basic tanning is not a safe alternative to sunscreen and can give people a false feeling of security.