Does tanning help treat depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
Exposure to bright light, that’s emitted by the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Thus, when affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light, they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light, are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 9. Why is it important to develop a base tan? Exposure to UVB helps develop a natural barrier in the skin to protect the body from too much UV light. UVB stimulates the production of melanin, which then makes your cells stronger and less susceptible to UV light. This melanin substance absorbs and/or scatters radiation. In addition, exposure to UVB thickens the epidermis (the top skin layer), thereby limiting the amount of UV light, which could penetrate the lower skin layers. If this base tan is not developed or a sunscreen
