New research could end your dreams of a perfect tan
14 Sep 2006 by Evoluted New Media
Scientists have suggested that if you have spent the summer desperately trying to get a Hollywood tan, only to come away with a red glow that can give people a headache at 50 paces, you should cover up – you may be wasting your time
Scientists have suggested that if you have spent the summer desperately trying to get a Hollywood tan, only to come away with a red glow that can give people a headache at 50 paces, you should cover up – you may be wasting your time
A research team based at the University of Bradford is planning to examine the biological mechanisms underlying sunburn and why it particularly affects people who tan poorly.
Dr Anna Nicolaou, leader of the team, is hopeful that the research could result in a treatment for sunburn and other skin disorders that are affected by solar radiation, including skin cancer.
She said: “We think this research will confirm that people with paler skin will never tan, no matter how hard they try.
“People put their skin through such bad treatment in the hot weather in order to get a tan. Hopefully our research will convince people to look after their skin and protect themselves from harmful rays.”
The team hope to discover the mechanism that links sunburn and tanning by testing whether melanocytes that do not actively produce melanin, instead discharge inflammatory mediators which cause the redness, irritation and swelling of the skin that is observed in sunburn.
