Tanning takes place in the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. About five percent of the cells in your epidermis are special cells call melanocytes. When exposed to ultraviolet B light (short wave ultraviolet), melanocytes produce melanin - the pigment which is ultimately responsible for your tan. The pinkish melanin travels up through the epidermis and is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to ultraviolet A light (longer wave), the melanin oxidizes or darkens. This darkening is your skin's way of protecting itself against too much UV light. Everyone has the same number of melanocytes in their body - about five million. But your heredity dictates how much melanin your body's melanocytes naturally will produce. For example, the skin of African Americans contains enough melanin to create a black or brown skin color, while the skin of Caucasians has less melanin and is pale.

Not at all. Dermatologists say this is a chemical reaction your body undergoes when exposed to ultraviolet light. This is normal and occurs whether you've been tanning inside or outside. A shower will remove the odor.

Yes. Severe eye damage can result from a short period of exposure to ultraviolet light. As the rays penetrate the organ, they can cause eyeburns, cataracts and other vision problems. There is no reason for ANY indoor tanner to injure their eyes, because all tanners should be wearing protective eyewear that blocks 99.9 percent of UVB light and 99 percent of UVA light. Please visit Northern Sun's product section on this site or our display conveniently located in our lobby to select protective eyewear that suits your personal style.

Tinea Versicolor, a skin condition that affects tanners, is caused by a microscopic fungus from the scalp. This fungus falls onto arms, shoulders and other body parts and leaves bleached areas on the skin, which can spread. It is treatable and must be protected from further ultraviolet light exposure until those bleached areas have begun developing melanin again.

Cells in the epidermis' germinative layer (also called the living epidermis) are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the horny layer (dead epidermis), where they are sloughed off in about one month. As your skin replaces its cells, the cells laden with melanin are removed. So the tanning process must continue with the new cells.

Answers to many other tanning questions can be found in the Smart Tan publications. Brochures are Free to all customers when visiting the Northern Sun Tanning Salon.