Sunbathing Every Other Day is the Mantra for Darker Tan

Skinny Matters: For prefect tan basking every other day is better, study suggests

Exposure to Sunlight Daily Can Damage Skin Cells and Hurts Melanin Production, Says Research

If you love sunbathing, do it every other day for better tan and lower skin damage, a study suggest. Production of Melanin, a black-brown pigment imparting color to the skin is heavily affected by daily UV exposure leaving skin prone to damage by these harmful radiations. On other hand, melanin concentration boosts if skin gets enough time (around 48 hours) to recover, says research report published in the journal Molecular Cell on October 25

Structure of Melanin

Research began with exposure of human skin cells and mice to UV-B light for varying time period up to 60 days. Samples that were shone UV rays every 48 hours presented darker tan with lesser skin damage researchers concluded. 'The harmful effects of high UV radiation exposure are known, but we were curios about outcome of exposure frequency on skin,' says, molecular geneticist at Tel Aviv University, Professor Carmit Levy.

Effects of Ultravoilet Rays on Skin

Ultraviolet rays coming from sun which can prove dangerous to our skin, producing even cancer, is the reason behind our skin color change. When these radiations hits outermost layer of skin, immune system gets in action as it multiplies skin cells and repair DNA damage in order to prevent other layers inside. Melanin is released afterwards, that acts as natural sunscreen.
Although skin cell cloning is sudden process and starts as soon as damage occurs, production of melanin takes several hours to commence. Protein named Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, or MITF is responsible for regulation & synchronization of these two processes, found the researchers along with the fact that striking cells everyday with UV rays disturbs melanin production, letting skin exposed to radiations without protection.
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