You are absolutely correct Rambo. Very little protection is offered with a "base" tan and that sometimes gets people in trouble.
We all burn technically, even dark skin burns. Technically we are getting radiation when we expose ourselves to UVA and UVB rays, thats why I reference the word "burn" in both fair and dark skin. Then the blood comes rushing to the cells, in our skin to calm and cool them from the radiation. Some people turn redder than others but we all get technically burned. The UV rays activate the melanin that we have in every cell of our body, unless you are Albino, in which case you have very little to no melanin in your cells. Those with higher amounts of melanin turn darker than those of us with less amount of melanin. Melannin is the bodies natural protection from UV rays and is what determines the colour of our hair, skin and eyes.
UVA rays can penetrate the skin into the subcutaneous tissue which results in what you see above in the picture of the very tanned woman. UVA rays break down the connective tissue causing advanced wrinkles and loss of tone to the skin.
When I return home from Negril, I use a "good quality" self tanner to enhance the tan I have and to make it last a little longer. One of the best I have used and sold is in the Clarins line up of body care. Using a gel based formula works really well in the application and penetration.
