Tanning is the body's basic physiological response to the effect the sun has on the skin. The melanin in the skin gets stimulated to produce more when it is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and hence causes the skin to darken as the pigment increase on number. Over exposure to the sun often causes sunburn and can be very painful and itchy. The melanin is made by the cells that are known as melanocytes. These melanocytes protect the body from the direct of indirect damage of the body's DNA, by absorbing the surplus solar radiation which in its own way can be harmful. The amount a person tans depends on the genes of the person and the levels of melanin production. Therefore some people tan easily while others take a slightly longer time to tan.
There are some preventive measures that you can use to avoid tanning. These measures will not help completely protect from the effect of the sun, but will help reduce the amount of tanning received. The first and most important thing to do is to remember to always wear a sunscreen lotion when going out into the sun. The sun protection factor in the sunscreen, stops the amount of tanning to certain extent and on the long run, helps protect your skin. The next things too remember is; to avoid going out in to the sun when it is too hot. This is the time when the intensity of the heat is at its highest and hence the chance of getting a dark tan is much higher. The tan lines that you have gotten from playing tennis cannot be removed but instead these steps can help them look less visible until that area of the skin returns back to normal. You can try using a tanning cream to cover up the white pats of your skin. Other wise you can try using sun block on the unaffected parts in order to tan the fairer parts of your skin. Aloe Vera or vitamin E lotions are also helpful.
answered by M W