h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"The visible damage takes the form of sunburn, freckles and a tan." This is inaccurate, freckled and tan skin is an indication of damage, not actual damage. When exposed to UV-rays the body attempts to protect itself by producing additional melanin, the stuff that makes skin brown. Unless you are an albino or have lived in a cave, your skin will contain melanin.
The 4SPF mentioned as the protection given by a tan is only valid for light skinned people, someone with naturally dark skin will have a relatively higher protection. Sunlight is damaging to all skin, however, so tanning in all it's forms is an even stupider activity than botox injections. Some sunlight is necessary however for the production of vitamin D.

As the entry states, a tan is visible damage. It's an inflammation response caused by the melanin, which does not occur until the cells are damaged. Therefore the visible damage does take the form of freckles and a tan. Even though it's the body's natural protection against damage, it is still damage in itself.

Maybe it will explain it better if I say that tanned skin comes off a lot quicker than skin that is not tanned, which is why many people get that 'flaking' skin effect, even if they do not burn.

It's an argument that will continue for a few more years I think, as dermatologists say it is damage, and everyone else says it's only a sign of damage.

Not sure about the tan, but FWIW ... I went to the dermatologist some time ago to look at a spot on my lip. Turned out to be nothing, but he did notice skin damage from years of sailing on the Texas Gulf Coast. He recommended daily use of sunblock, even if just going shopping (the sun gets really high and hot in Houston), but said SPF 15 was plenty.

Let me narrow this down to make sure you understand my position.
1. Yes, any exposure to sunlight causes some damage, but we need 'some' sun and it's boring to always stay inside.
2. The presence of melanin in human skin is natural.
So far you probably agree.
3. Exposure to UV-light causes an increase in melanin production, resulting in darker skin.
This is what I mean by a tan, and it is not damage, it's a natural process in humans.
The melanin does not cause the inflammation, the inflammation is caused by the direct damage caused by UV-exposure. So there!

Oh well, we'll have to agree to disagree, because my research points to it being considered damage.

And yes, we need sunlight for vitamin D, but 15/20 minutes in the sun is enough, and not many people burn in that time.

I never agree to disagree! I'm an annoying quarreler who never stops!
Well, sometimes I am. I just have a problem with the term damage... but then I'm not a dermatologist. Do you have any sources online that refer to increased production of melanin as damage?

I have been successfully avoiding the sun for years.
Recently, I was invited to a boating, got drunk, and fell asleep on the deck.
You guessed it! Major sunburn, peeling, and sad to say, not only did I get ugly discoloration but a huge deep wrinkle above my upper lip...
I'm sure this will cost me in more than just a trip to the dermatologist and a blow to my ego.

Well, I would consider some tan to be damage, as mostly when I tan it comes from a fading sunburn of spots I miss with the suntan lotion.