Why is Tanning in the sun Dangerous?

Why is tanning in the sun Dangerous?
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Why Is Tanning in the Sun Dangerous?
Tanning is a process where skin color is darkened. It results from the exposure of ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other artificial sources, such as indoor tanning lamps. People who intentionally tan their skins will be engaging in a recreational activity of sunbathing. Some of the people will utilize products of chemical nature which produce a tanning effect without being exposed to ultraviolet rays; this is referred to as sunless tanning. When people get exposed to the sun moderately; it enhances the production of vitamin D and melanin by the human body. But when there is excessive exposure of ultraviolet rays to the body it will always have adverse health effects, such as sunburn and increase the risk of contracting skin cancer, accelerate aging and depresses the immune system. People have different rates of tanning, which result from having different skin types.
One of the dangers of tanning in the sun is sunburn, the speed at which this happens varies among individuals. It refers to a form of radiation burn which alters the living tissue, which occurs because of overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Common symptoms include red skin that is hot when touched, painful and having general fatigue. Excess ultraviolet radiation can always be life-threatening. However, when the skin is exposed to fewer ultraviolet rays, it will lead to suntan.
Tanning in the sun may lead to skin cancer.

Frequent sun tanning triples the risk of contracting melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Several scientific research which has been conducted show that the risk of developing melanoma is closely linked to the exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, even if it recommended, tanning in the sun can be dangerous since it is carcinogenic (Mahler, 2005). World health organization has issued a warning about tanning in the sun and ultraviolet rays’ radiation exposure. Contracting skin cancer can happen in two ways, one of them is that it damages the DNA which makes the skin to grow unusually thus leading malignant growths. The other way is by impairing the immune system and compromising the natural body defenses against cancers cells.
Sun tanning also leads to eye damage.by clouding the natural lenses of the eye leading to decreased vision capacity of the eye and may cause blindness. Photokeratitis results from sun tanning, this is caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Some of the symptoms are, tearing, pain, hazy and swollen eyelids.
Sun tanning also causes premature aging; this is referred to at times as photo aging. This results because of unprotected overexposure to ultraviolet rays during sun tanning. This is manifested by a wrinkled skin and having dark skins. Though causes of aging are not clear, sun tanning breaks down the elastic fibers in a healthy and young skin which causes loosened folds and wrinkles. When exposed to sun tanning for long hours, it results in permanent darkening of the skin and aging of the skin
Furthermore, sun tanning causes suppression of the immune system. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation as a result of sun tanning can result in suppression of the functions of the body natural immune system hence affecting the skins natural defenses. The suppression will increase the sensitivity of the skin hence making the effects of immunization useless, and this can lead to some reactions when immunized. Sun tanning will weaken the immune system, thus making the body vulnerable to diseases and infections.

Reference
Mahler, H. I., Kulik, J. A., Harrell, J., Correa, A., Gibbons, F. X., & Gerrard, M. (2005). Effects of UV photographs, photo aging information, and use of sunless tanning lotion on sun protection behaviors. Archives of Dermatology, 141(3), 373-380.