Positive Effects of Tanning - Coursework Example

Positive Effects of Tanning" Introduction Heliotherapy, a kind of positive therapy obtained from the heat of Sun. Tanning is a natural protective mechanism where the skin color becomes dark as a result of exposure to sunlight especially the UV or ultraviolet radiation. In certain cases tanning may occur due to windburn or due to reflected light. People intentionally take sun exposure and also sun bathing to tan their skin. Individuals also use some chemical agents to generate tanning. Sun exposure leads to the production of vitamin D by the body. Vitamin D is essential for the calcium absorption, required for the development of bones and teeth. The UV-B radiation of the sunlight is absorbed by 7-dehydrocholesterol present in the skin. It converts previtamin D3 to vitamin D3. Essentially, vitamin D plays an important role in the development of bones and enhances the uptake of calcium and phosphorus from small intestine. Vitamin D assists in the swinging of calcium ions linking bone and blood. Effectively, vitamin D is vital constituent for individuals belonging to all ages; from infant to childhood stage vitamin D plays an important role in bone development and thereby prevents bone deformation and rickets on the other hand in adults deficiency of vitamin D causes softness of bone leading to osteomalacia (Goldman, 2004). Deficiency of vitamin D is gaining prevalence in United States because of sedentary life-style and poor exposure to sunlight. Studies reveal that vitamin D is also essential for the prevention of cancer, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis (Holick, 2004). Natural process of Skin Protection- Tanning process prevents the skin from harmful radiations of the sun. Tanning prevents the skin from the UV-A as well as UV-B radiations. Tanning provides a coating on the skin that remains even after sweating in contrast to the sunscreens which could be removed by the sweat. Tanning prevents the skin from cancers- Studies reveal that individuals who reside in the regions where they get more exposure to sunlight, the death incidence due to ovarian, breast and colon cancers is less in contrast to the individuals residing in the places where sunlight is less. Since vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, higher intake of fat is directly correlated with the skin cancers. Changes in the dietary habits from higher fat diet to lower fat diet diminishes the chances of cancer (Holick, 2004). Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency Vitamin D is directly related with the sunlight, insufficiency of vitamin D leads to poor calcium and phosphate absorption from small intestine causing various bone related diseases like- Rickets It occurs in children due to the deficient calcification of bone tissues as a result the bone becomes bow shaped skull gets enlarged, child displays poor spinal curvature, chest deformities and hepatosplenomegaly. The cause is lack of appropriate bone tissue mineralization, causing soft bones and skeletal deformities. The incidence of rickets is prevalent in societies where infants do not get appropriate exposure to sun and there is a poor quality of nutrition especially in the developing nations (Holick, 2004). Osteomalacia In adults, the bone health displays decalcification and demineralization and become tender, resulting in the pain and density of the bones decrease. Poor absorption of calcium due to insufficiency of vitamin D causes difficulty in climbing up stairs and also cause difficulty in getting up from a squatting position. The most common representation of bone deformity is lordosis (Holick, 2004). Osteoporosis A condition associated with the decrease in the bone mass, the bone framework is thus affected and greatly enhances the incidence of fractures. Osteoporosis is a condition that is influencing the societies of the developed nations as it is responsible for the falls and fractures, especially the elderly population (Goldman, 2004). Osteoporosis could be prevented if sunlight exposure and sun-tanning beds emitting UV-B are used. As skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, exposure to sunlight is highly essential. Studies reveal that application of sunscreen of SPF 8 or greater hamper the potential of skin to produce vitamin D (Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure). Tanning as a method to perform depression therapy Sunlight causes brightness and removes the gloom and it stimulates the brainpower and thereby removes the winter blues. In such cases sunlight acts as a mood elevating dose and removes darkness and dampness of the room filling the room with freshness. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are removed due to bright sunlight (Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure). Exposure to sunlight also reduce the symptoms of PMS- PMS or Pre menstrual Syndrome leads to depression, alteration or swing in temperament, irritation, body discomfort and also social withdrawal. All these symptoms could be taken care of by the exposure to sunlight. Sunlight brightens up the room, makes the things visible in a natural day light and thus alleviate the mood (Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure). Tanning is associated with a strong circadian rhythm A good biological clock is highly desired for appropriate health and well being of the individual. Getting up in time and sleeping with mental peace is the most desired feature in the present scenario. Studies reveal that better exposure to sunlight leads to the better circadian rhythms (Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure). Treatment of Psoriasis Discomfort caused due to psoriasis could be taken care by the exposure to UV radiation. Drugs prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis also work in association with the UV-light. Sunlight could be stimulating to those experiencing jet lag (Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure). Tanning and Society History reveals the fact that initially people with tanned skin were considered as those belonging to the poor status. Civilizations disclose that Western countries with white or lighter skin color were considered as superior to the black or tanned skin. Moreover, females of the society always put make-up and lead based cosmetics to ensure that they look fair and light in color. Later, research studies monitored lead poisoning due to cosmetics. The apparel of the women also used to cover their full bodies so as to reduce tanning of the skin (Lightness and Whiteness). Sunburn and tanned skin was accepted after Coco Chanel in 1920s got sunburn and people appreciated and followed her. Celebrities are being followed by their fans for their style and cosmetics. Cocos status and tanned skin became a trend in the society. In a similar manner Josephine Baker, Paris based singer became a popular figure for her caramel skin. People followed these personalities for their tanned skin and thereafter, tanned skin became a mark of fashion. Gradually sun bathing and tanning paved the way in the society and women gradually started doing sunbathing to tan their skin. The initial phase of covered body parts by means of clothing gradually changed and coverage of body parts started decreasing and by late 1940s bikini made its appearance (Lightness and Whiteness). With the advent of scientific basis of tanning and understanding the importance of melanin pigment, people started opting tanning beds for tanning their skin and meet the bodys requirement of generating vitamin D and melanin for the prevention of various ailments related to poor exposure to sunlight or the light skin color (Lightness and Whiteness). Sociology deals with the trend in society, popular figures mean a lot to common mass and hence in order to convey the messages to the mob, advertising agencies seek their help to publicize their product, introduce a product or technique or to address the mob. As seen with the two French celebrities. People do follow them for good, in such cases it becomes highly imperative for such personalities to be careful and should not convey any wrong message which could be misleading for the crowd. On the other hand, care must also be taken not to get too much of sun exposure else it may result in sun poisoning or melanoma (Lightness and Whiteness). References 1. Goldman, A. "Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd edition. Volume 2. Saunders: An Imprint of Elsvier". 2004. 2. Holick, M. F. "Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis". Am J Clin Nutr, 79, 362–71. 2004. 3. "Lightness and Whiteness". 8th December 2011. . 4. "Tanning Benefits: Positive Effects of UV Exposure". 8th December 2011. < http://www.totallytan.net/sitepages/pid59.php>. Read More