Loss of tanability

[RyanD]

Hi Shelley,

This is kind of a weird question, but do you happen to know of any reason why one would lose the ability to tan? When I was young, I could get a gorgeous deep golden brown tan without even trying. I can still tan, but not as nice or dark, and I get a red tinge sometimes and burn easier than I used to. Do you recommend anything besides the usual skin food/proper hydration? Thanks

[shelley]

The amount of melanin in our skin that causes tanning when activated by sunlight can vary with age/hormone activity, but also with protein (tyrosine) and EFAs, E, D and A. The adrenals have to release a hormone for the melanin to turn into pigmentation.

So lots of things can slow you down as compared to your youth, when your body has just about everything it needs in abundance.

[RyanD]

LOL, I couldn't help but laugh at the "you're youth" comment.... I'm 21 lol! I like to think I can still call myself a youth? hahahaha... I meant like when I was a child. But hmm, I get plenty of fat soluble vitamins and skin food. I get enough protein mainly through protein shake, grains/legumes, meat and kefir, altho I don't eat as much meat as I used to. I've actually been thinking on going on a high meat diet lately... I've been cutting back to spare the kidneys since I have been doing some intense liver cleansing the last 2 months, now that I'm taking a break from that it might be time for more meat! You're comment about the adrenals sparked my intuition, I'm gonna research further, I just didn't kno where to start! Thanks again

[shelley]

Oh, a sugar-rich diet can rob us of our youth by the time we're thirteen!

[RyanD]

All too true, all too true.

[shelley]

Plus testosterone affects tanning and guys definitely have more of that in their system during puberty.