CHAPTER 3
SKIN STRUCTURE
UNDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURES AND
MAKE UP OF SKIN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO TANNING
SKIN STRUCTURE IN RELATION TO UV TANNING
Normal skin contains melanocytes.
Melanocytes release melanin into the
upper epidermis and form the natural
colour of the skin.
When the body receives UV rays from the
sun or a solarium the body reacts by
releasing more melanin from the
melanocytes. Melanin has the unique
ability to absorb UV rays, thus protecting
the skin from much of the UV. The build up
of melanin in the skin is what produces a
brown colour of the skin we call a tan.
As the body receives greater amounts of
UV the body produces greater amounts of
melanin. The body is reacting to the UV
rays to provide greater protection. The skin
continues to ‘tan’ and turn darker from the
saturation of melanin. (Interestingly, black
skinned people have large amounts of UV
absorbing melanin naturally in their body.
This gives them a natural protection
against UV exposure, however ,even dark
skinned people can receive bad skin damage.)
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