Do you already have a tan after a few hours in the sun? Or are you still quite white after a sun-filled holiday? It differs per person how quickly a tanned skin is visible. We explain to you what that is.
Getting brown color
In summer, many people get a brown color. The process of discoloration starts with the skin build-up. The skin has 3 layers. We list them below.
- The epidermis. This is the top layer of the skin and consists of keratinized cells. These are flat cells with usually no nucleus present. The pigment cells are part of the epidermis.
- The dermis is the middle layer. This layer consists of connective tissue. The dermis contains sweat glands, hair roots, sebaceous glands, blood and lymph vessels, sensory cells and nerve endings.
- Subcutaneous connective tissue. This bottom layer serves as support tissue and consists mainly of fat cells.
Pigment
The lower layer of the epidermis is responsible for the discoloration of the skin. This contains the cells melanocyte, which produces pigment granules. After production, these pigment granules are transported to the top layer of the skin. Here they end up in places where the sun shines on the skin. The pigment cells absorb the UV radiation to prevent damage to underlying tissues. Due to the absorption, the pigment granules discolour. If you are exposed to UV radiation more often, more pigment is also produced. However, it differs per person how much and how quickly pigment is produced.
Also read: Shedding after a sunburn, what should you do and not do?
Genetic
It is genetically determined how quickly the pigment granules are produced and how quickly they are transported to the top layer of the skin. Do you tan quickly? Then this process goes faster with you than with someone who does not or little discoloration. You also do not discolor equally quickly everywhere. This is because your body does not contain the same amount of melanocytes in every place.
Carotene provides orange brown
The amount of carotene you contain also plays a role in how tan you get. Carotene is a substance with an orangish color and is located in the skin. Various types of fruit and vegetables such as carrots, mandarins, cabbages, mango and green leafy vegetables also contain (beta) carotene. The more carotene you contain, the more orange/brown your skin will turn.
Also read: Sunscreen protects the skin, but what does it actually contain?
tan
Do you really want a brown color? Then there is a safe alternative to sunbathing, namely applying self-tanner. Would you rather sunbathe? Then apply a sunscreen with at least factor 30 very well and regularly to prevent skin damage. And don’t sit in the sun between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Then the sun is at its highest, which means you can burn faster.
(Source: Maxima MC, Quest, Cosmopolitan, Girlscene. Photo: Shutterstock)