Technically it's a natural production of melanin in the skin to protect against UV oxidisation damage.

And why I do not worry about getting a tan any longer.

My mum was Greek Cypriot and my dad was Maltese, and as such I am already slightly tanned

It us a conumdrum, we need some sun, in order to get Vitamin D, but if we stay in the sun, the skin gets damaged...

Dang foreigners!!

Yes and we can get enough simply getting by walking from A to B out in the sun during the day. No need to sun bathe.

Yep, but given the extreme summer weather we've had recently, even walking from A to B required a hat and sun cream!

God, what a bunch of worry warts and pasty faced nerds. I love the sun, me and nowt looks healthier than a nice tan.

An apt turn of phrase.


Also:



http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer ... incidence/

I think the point is people should be aware of the risks, and take appropriate precautions. I have a relatively fair skin. I burn really easily, and when I think back to holidays as a child with great flakes of skin peeling off my back and arms from playing on the beach with my sister, I wonder whether those moles are likely to kick off with anything nasty at some point. That's the reason I won't go out in the sun for any length of time, why I wear a stupid hat, and long-sleeved tops.

I'd love to be tanned rather than the more normal rust colour of the English, but I'd also rather not risk a malignant worry wart.

Says sci-fi boy

Now don't be too angry, I refrained from using 'SyFy'... whoops

Only if you spend more than twenty minutes or so. If the sun is more intense then you need less exposure. Though I prefer to do as little sunbathing as possible. I get enough walking about. I also limit my time in the sun as well as a secondary precaution.

Apparently for every fatal case of skin cancer there are 30 related to a lack of vitamin D. There may be other factors involved but personally I'll choose evolution over supplements.

@belchingmatt, all I have to say is Slip, Slap, Slop...

Particularly amongst kids who spend too many hours on the games consoles.

I walk for 80 minutes in total five times a week, but that's rarely in what you'd call sunshine