Why do I tan so easily?

[Cuddle_Muffin]

I protect my skin with spf and all that sunblock crap. But every time I leave the house in 80+ degree weather, I come back 2-3 shades darker and I get the worst tan lines. This made me so mad. I decided to only leave the house at night.

Updates

+1 y

i thought the melanin prevents you from getting darker that quick.

[luvflag]

OMG me too! I can't stand it! Everyone comments on the tan lines and It's really embarassing... well, my pic is on the left, I take my dad's side of the family, he is vietnamese... so, that's really all I have is certain skin types get tan easier? I don't know, but finally someone feels my pain...

[Cuddle_Muffin]

Lol exactly.

[MaskofInsanity]

If you have brown/dark skin it's cos of melanin levels. Reduces chances of skin cancer, but makes you tan ridiculously quickly. I'm the same. 15 minutes in the sun and I'm a different shade.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

I never really knew that.

[pr3ttybr0wn]

because you have melanin. the more melanin you have, its like it activates from the sun and causes you to get dark.

[DanteSparda]

Happens with me too often lol..

It's due to variable amount of a pigment called "Malanin" in individuals of different races.

Some races like Indians,Blacks,etc are more prone to this problem compared to other races.

[DanteSparda]

*melanin

[DanteSparda]

@update -melanin is a substance that gives the skin and hair its natural color. It also gives color to the iris of the eye, feathers, and scales. In humans, those with darker skin have higher amounts of melanin. By contrast, those with less pigment have lighter or more fair skin coloring.

Melanin, sometimes referred to as a chemical, is formed as part of the process of metabolizing an amino acid called tyrosine. In the skin, melanin is formed by cells called melanocytes.

[DanteSparda]

Albinism is a condition marked by the abesnce of a normal amount of pigment in the body. Animals, humans, and even plants can have albinism.

Melanin provides many benefits to human beings. One of the most recognized benefits involves ultraviolet rays of the sun. Melanin provides a natural protection against the harmful effects of these rays. However, it does not provide complete protection from the sun, and individuals with darker skin tones are still at risk from the sun's damaging rays.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

oh wow.

[aMuse]

Vampire muffin... This is a new side of you, I must say. Do you sleep in a coffin? =)

[aMuse]

@update: Darkening more quickly then others is usually a result of hormones. Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the production of MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) causing you to get darker. Women obviously have more Estrogen and progesterone then men, and the more obese you get the more estrogen you tend to produce. One other factor that may play a role would be birth control pills... The are generally some mixture of synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone.

[aMuse]

*They

[Cuddle_Muffin]

lol. I might start sleeping in a coffin.

anyway, perhaps I'm obese. I don't take birth control. so, this is quite peculiar.

[RedThread]

I'm so jealous of people that can easily tan... pfup2qufqfuodfdj

Want to trade melanin? We could swap if you don't want to tan as easily.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

Lol, sure...anytime. I'm always ready.

[RedThread]

Sweet!

[Anonymous]

You've got to try another brand and or reapply every few hours

[Anonymous]

Because you're black