Fake tan & Sunbeds

[justasking]

If you go on a sunbed while you have fake tan on, when you tan will the fake tan stay underneath the tanned skin? Or will it wash off like normal and mak no difference to the sunbed tanning?

[RATTER15]

The tan from a sunbed is not a chemical that is applied to your skin, so how can fake tan stay underneath? sorry I'm confused!!

[justasking]

Me too, altho it makes sense sort of in my head i can't word the q right. Forget i asked lol.

[Pisceangirl]

The process of tanning- UVA rays trigger melanocyte cells in your skin to produce melanin (the brown pigment we call a tan) which is the body's method of protecting our skin from burning- so tan comes from underneath the epidermis. Fake tans sit on the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and pretty much dye it, so as the natural process of shedding skin happens, the tans fades/seems to wash off (skin is constantly shedding and washing helps it to come off quicker instead of it clinging onto your body). Hope that answers your Q (no- you'll still get a real tan even with fake on!) :)

[chazza]

Some fake tans react with UV light and go a funny colour - I remember seeing a girl on holidays who looked badly jaundiced and then realised it was fake tan reacting with natural sun!

[justasking]

Thanks :D