The production of melanin (tanning) accounts for part of the protection against UV radiation, but there is mounting scientific evidence that faculta- tive tan is triggered by UV-induced DNA damage in the skin (Pedeux et al., 1998; Gilchrest & Eller 1999 for a review). Facultative tanning is now considered a better indicator of inducible DNA repair capacity than of efficient photoprotective skin reaction. Inducible DNA repair capacity rather than pigmentation itself could result in the lower incidence of skin cancer observed in darker-skinned individuals (Young et al., 1998; Agar & Young, 2005; Bohm et al., 2005). In subjects who tan easily, exposure to tanning appliances will first lead to the oxidation of.
