How is a suntan created?

A suntan is created primarily through exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, it triggers the production of melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the color of our skin. This melanin helps absorb and dissipate harmful UV rays, thus providing some protection against skin damage. Over time, as the skin continues to receive UV exposure, the increased melanin production results in a darker skin tone, which we recognize as a suntan. This process is a natural response to protect deeper layers of the skin from the potentially damaging effects of UV radiation, including sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer.