Why does skin tan when exposed to ultraviolet light?
The outer most layer of skin, called the epidermis, contains cells called melanocytes. When melanocytes are exposed to Ultraviolet B light (UVB) they produce melanin. The melanin is essentially a pigment that darkens when it’s exposed to Ultraviolet A light (UVA). The darkened melanin results in the tan appearance. This tanning process is the body?s natural way of protecting itself from excess Ultraviolet light.
