SELF-TANNING HEALTH FACTS

1 The SUN is the #1 enemy of youthful, healthy skin

2 Sunless tanning offers a healthy alternative

3 He-Shi is the premium sunless product

Ageing

It is surprising to some that 90 percent of wrinkling, sagging, rough skin texture or irregular skin colouration seen when we look in the mirror is not caused by ageing. It's not ageing that is the #1 enemy of our skin as we get older – it's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. The sun’s UV rays permanently damage our skin - that's the fact. A tan is our body’s attempt to protect itself. In the past, tanning booths were thought to be safer. The fact is that even though tanning booths have a higher concentration of UVA which may truthfully take longer to damage the skin, unfortunately UVA actually penetrates deeper into the skin. In summary, any dermatologist will tell you - the one thing you can do to stay looking young is - stay out of the sun. This is one reason why self tanning is catching on and being recommended by more doctors today than ever before.

Sunburn

Sunburn indicates damage to the skin. It is caused by vasodilatation of blood vessels and swelling/redness of skin tissues. The fact is, tanning is the body’s natural attempt to protect itself from damage. Many consider a tan to be protection from the sun, unfortunately, a tan can be considered damaged skin. Sunburn or not, the risk of skin cancers is determined by the life-long accumulation of exposure to the sun. Other sun damage includes irregular pigmentation and collagen damage (loss of elasticity) leading to wrinkles. You can help prevent sunburn by staying out of the sun or wearing lotion. Use the sunless tanning products provided by Xen-Tan.

Sun's UV Radiation Ultraviolet radiation given off by the sun is divided into categories by "wavelength":

• UVC - 100 to 290 nm

• UVB - 290 to 320 nm

• UVA - 320 to 400 nm

Most UVC radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer of the atmosphere and does not affect the skin. UVB radiation does affect the epidermis (the outer layer of your skin) and, in fact, is the primary source of sunburn. UVA radiation was originally thought to be non-damaging to the skin. However, recent studies indicate UVA penetrates deeper than the others and is a major contributor of skin damage. The level of UVA is not easily filtered by things such as glass and is more constant throughout the day and throughout the year. Skin damage caused by UVA and UVB radiation include wrinkles, lowered immunity to infection, aging, skin disorders and cancer. Try to avoid UVA radiation by staying out of the sun for long periods of time. Use sunless tanning products to help stay tanned.

Sun Damage - Collagen Break Down

UV radiation causes the collagen of your skin to break down faster than it would due to normal aging affects. Damage to collagen fibres results in the accumulation of abnormal elastin. In the process of repairing this damage, the body often forms disorganized collagen fibers known to some as solar scars. The repetition of this imperfect rebuilding process eventually produces wrinkles.

Sun Damage - "Free Radicals"

UV radiation is one of the reasons your body produces "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that have the affect of bonding destructively with other molecules which can damage normal cell function and alter genetic material. "Free radical damage" results in wrinkles, collagen break down and cancer.

Sun Damage - Immune System Impairment

The body has a defense/immune system which includes white blood cells called T lymphocytes and specialized skin cells called Langerhans cells. When skin is exposed to sunlight, the body's natural chemistry can suppress these immune factors. The last line of defense of the immune system is a process called apoptosis. This (a.k.a. cell suicide) is a process that kills severely damaged cells so they do not have a chance to become cancerous. This cell-suicide is seen when you peel after a sunburn. UV exposure is one of several factors that can prevent this process - thus increasing the possibility of damaged cells evolving into cancer. When using self tanning products from Xen-Tan you will not experience any peeling from sun burn.

Sun Damage – Cancer

It is an indisputable fact - the sun can cause skin cancer. Common skin cancers include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the most frightening and deadly skin cancer because it metastasizes so easily - more so than any other skin cancer. Exposure of the skin to the sun before the age of 20 is thought to be the determining risk factor for melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It is known to spread locally and does not metastasize. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. It has been known to metastasize but not as readily as melanoma. The risk of getting basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma is determined by a person's lifetime exposure to UV radiation and natural pigment protection.