What is a suntan?
A tan is much more than skin turning brown. Skin cells in the epidermis (the top or outer layer of the skin) produce a pigment called melanin, which gives skin its colour. When skin is exposed to UV radiation, melanin is produced and the skin darkens.
Many people think that a tan is a sign of good health, and talk about a “healthy tan”.
In reality, a tan is a sign that your skin has been exposed to too much UV radiation and damage has occurred. Even a light tan shows that the skin has been damaged.
Is there a ‘safe' way to tan? 
Some people think it's safe to tan, as long as they don't burn. But tanning without burning may still damage the cells in your skin, leading to skin damage, premature ageing and potentially skin cancer.
Can a suntan protect against sunburn?
It is true that melanin is a natural defence against the sun's damaging rays, as it absorbs some UV radiation. But don't rely on a tan to protect you from sunburn – it's only the equivalent of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 2.
Remember, too, that people with fair skin (a large proportion of the Australian population) have less melanin than people with darker skins. The melanin produced by fair-skinned people is far less protective. However, UV levels in Australia are so high that even people with olive skin or naturally dark skin can be at risk of skin damage.
Fake tans
Some people use fake tans as an alternative to tanning in the sun or in a solarium. There are many types of fake tans on the market, including lotions and sprays.
Fake tanning lotions contain synthetic or vegetable dyes that temporarily colour the skin. The colour will fade when the dead skin cells flake away. A colour will last up to seven days.
If you prefer to have skin that looks tanned, it's far preferable to get it from a bottle than to damage your skin by spending hours in the sun.
Using fake tan is like dyeing your skin – the change is only on the outside. You'll still need to use sun protection methods such as using shade, clothing to protect your skin, and SPF30+ sunscreen.
Some fake-tan products contain a sunscreen, but this will protect you only for a few hours after applying the tan (depending on the SPF) – not for the length of time that the colour remains.
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