Melanin tans the skin to protect it from the burning rays of the sun. Light and dark skin do
not differ in the number of melanocytes they contain. They differ, rather, in the rate and amount of
melanin produced. Dark skin contains more melanin, which serves as a more effective barrier to the
damaging rays of the sun than is seen in light skin. Skin with little melanin present is light, pale or
may appear slightly pink. The "pink" tone visible in pale skin is the reflection of red blood through
the epidermis. Carotene, a yellow pigment located primarily in the top layer, can give skin a sallow
or yellowish cast. No matter what color, all skin needs protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Ultraviolet rays of the sun speed up the production of melanin, making your skin darker. The stim-
ulation of the production of melanin and the tanning of the skin that results protect the dermis layer
of the skin by absorbing these ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the
skin, such as burning, peeling, wrinkling and even skin cancer.
Many products have been developed to further help the skin from absorbing ultraviolet rays. One
such product is sunscreen, which comes in various SPF (sun protection factor) strengths. This rating
system allows you to determine how long you can stay out in the sun without burning. For instance,
if your skin normally burns in one hour without sunscreen, an SPF 2 sunscreen might allow you to
stay in the sun twice as long, or two hours, without burning.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips to reduce the sun's harmful
effects:
· Try to keep out of the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
· Apply a sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at
least 15, and re-apply every two hours.
· Wear protective, tightly-woven clothing.
· Stay in the shade whenever possible.
· Avoid surfaces, such as water, that can reflect up to 85% of the sun's damaging rays.
· Protect children by keeping them out of the sun and, beginning at six months of age, mini-
mize risk by applying sunscreen.
If you have had repeated sunburns, examine your skin monthly. If you see a change in the size, shape
or appearance of a mole, see your dermatologist.
Types of Skin
Skin has a personality, just as does the individual it covers. If the skin is constantly abused, side
effects such as blemishes, wrinkles, flakiness, roughness and a general lack of healthy color may
appear. The skin requires a certain amount of care and attention on a daily basis to stay healthy and
attractive. The thinnest skin occurs on eyelids, so be gentle on them when cleansing or applying
make-up.
Although the structure of each person's skin is basically the same, the functioning of the various
glands and the reactions of the skin to its environment can vary greatly. From a cosmetologist's point
606
SALON FUNDAMENTALS
Studies show 90% of wrin-
kles are caused by exces-
sive exposure to the sun,
and only 10% by the natu-
ral aging process.
