What is Tanned Skin?

Due to excessive exposure to the UV rays of the sun, the skin tends to darken because the melanin levels in the skin rise. Melanin protects the skin against damage and the particular type of melanin responsible for the brown color of tanned skin is eumelanin. You can mostly seeing the effect of tanning on exposed body parts like the face and neck, arms, legs, hands, back, and feet.

Types of Tanned Skin

It is only your skin type that decides the extent to which it can get tanned:

• People with Skin Type I have light skin that never tans.
• People with Skin Type II have a white to beige color of skin that tans very little.
• People with Skin Type III have a beige skin complexion that can tan into a light brown color.
• People with Skin Type IV, have light brown skin that turns to dark brown when in the sun for a long time.
• People with Skin Type V, with a medium brown skin, can tan to a darker brown one.
• People with Skin Type VI, have a dark brown or black skin and tan extensively.

What Causes Of Tanned Skin ?

The main causes of tanned skin are as follows:

Use of Artificial Tanning Lamps : This can lead to pigmented skin.

Exposure to UV-A : These sun rays are harmful because they enter the deeper layers of skin and damage them.

• Exposure to UV-A happens all year round, because it can penetrate the atmospheric ozone layer.
• Melanin pigment is released more and turns into keratinocytes causing the skin to become darker.
• UV-A rays break down the skin’s natural reserve of collagen, and ages the skin.
• Extensive exposure to these rays can lead to damage of DNA, and ultimately result in skin cancer.



Exposure to UV-B : This type of sun ray is dangerous as it burns the upper layers of the skin.

They are more in summer and less in winter.

The ozone layer can prevent most of these rays from entering, but 5 to 10% still penetrate.

UV-B rays damage the DNA and lead to increased melanin secretion.

Too much exposure to UV-B rays can cause moles, sunburns, ageing of skin, tanning, and certain types of skin cancer.

These rays produce Vitamin D in the skin

Diagnosis of Tanned Skin

You should visit a skin specialist to evaluate and diagnose the severity of tanning. The doctor may examine you physically to determine how much you have tanned.

Children less than 5 years old, and adults above the age of 50 have less thick skin and increased sensitivity to UV rays. People who have immune deficiencies and chronic health conditions are also more prone to UV ray exposure.

Prevention Of Tanned Skin

To protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays, you can:

• Wear a sunscreen throughout the year, that has UV-A and B protection mentioned on the label. Use at least a minimum of SPF-30 all year round. You may need SPF-50 depending on your skin type. Consult your dermatologist about the most suitable sunscreen for you.
• Avoid being exposed to the sun, particularly between 10 AM to 4 PM.
• Protect your head with a scarf or hat and wear sunglasses.
• Wear tightly woven, knit, or dark fabric for less damage to skin from sun exposure.

There are many home remedies you can try for treating tanned skin, but it is best to ask advice from a medical professional before trying any of these.

Treatment Options:

You can treat tanned skin by:

• Topical and oral medicines
• Laser toning treatments
• Chemical peels

Ask your dermatologist to prepare a customized treatment plan for you and follow it to lessen the effect of the sun on your skin!