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Category: Articles » Education & Reference » Science » Article » Article Code

Tanning : The process of making leather from skin

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Tanning: The chemical and mechanical process used to 
treat hides and eliminate perishability. Tanning is the 
process of making leather from skin. This is commonly 
done with the acidic compound tannin, which prevents 
normal decomposition and often imparts color

There are two types of skin tanning. Immediate tanning is a 
response to the UVA radiation of sunlight. This tanning 
arises just a short time after sunbathing and lasts only a 
few hours or days. Delayed tanning is caused by the UVB 
radiation of sunlight. It appears approx. 2-3 days after 
sunbathing and lasts longer, disappearing with natural 
renewal of the skin. The intensity of tanning depends on 
the skin type.

The process of dressing up animal skin/hide into leather 
consists of three stages. The first stage is the preparation 
for tanning. The second stage is the actual tanning and 
other chemical treatment. The third stage applies finishing 
to the surface.

In preparation for tanning, the skins (of smaller animals 
like goat, sheep, lamb, pig, etc) or hides (of larger animals 
like cow, buffalo, etc) are washed, treated with lime/sulfide 
to remove hair and natural fat, then delimed to remove 
sulfide and acidified to prepare for tanning.

The majority of leather produced today is tanned using 
chromeIII tanning material. In the raw state chrome tanned 
skins are blue and therefore referred to as "wet blue". The 
wet blue is then split for the desired end product, garment 
upholstery, shoe upper etc, followed by dyeing (to give 
color), fat liquoring (to add fat/oil) and retanning (to fill up 
the fiber structure) in wet condition.
The leathers are dried and mechanically softened and 
prepared for finishing. Finishing is usually done by coating 
the surface with paint-like mixes. Suedes, Nubucks, etc. 
are finished by raising the nap of the leather by rubbing 
with emery paper (sandpaper).

Another process, that was used by Native Americans, 
involves "tanning" the skin using brains. First, the hide can 
be strung in a frame. Second, the flesh from skins is 
scraped as before. Then the hide is allowed to dry after 
which the hair on these skins is shaved off. Then, brains 
are mixed with a minimum of water. The hide soaks for 24 
hours. Then, you stretch it as it dries. Finally, you sew the 
skin in a bag and smoke it using rotten wood placed on 
coals.

Public health experts and medical professionals are 
continuing to warn people about the dangers of ultraviolet 
(UV) radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. 
Two types of ultraviolet radiation are Ultra?violet A (UVA) 
and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has long been 
associated with sunburn while UVA has been 
recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation.
Although it's been known for some time that too 
much UV radiation can be harmful, new 
information may now make these warnings even 
more important. Some scientists have suggested 
recently that there may be an association 
between UVA radiation and malignant melanoma, 
the most serious type of skin cancer.
What are the dangers of tanning? 
UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, or from 
sun lamps may cause skin cancer. While skin 
cancer has been associated with sunburn, 
moderate tanning may also produce the same 
effect. UV radiation can also have a damaging 
effect on the immune system and cause 
premature aging of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, 
leathery appearance.

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the 
AAD have warned people for many years about 
the dangers of tanning. In fact, AMA and AAD have 
urged action that would ban the sale and use of 
tanning equipment for non?medical purposes. 
Doctors and public health officials have 
recommended the following steps to minimize the 
sun's damage to the skin and eyes:
Plan your outdoor activities to avoid the sun's 
strongest rays. As a general rule, avoid the sun 
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
Wear protective covering such as broad?brimmed 
hats, long pants and long?sleeved shirts to 
reduce exposure. 
Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray 
protection. 
Always wear a broad?spectrum sunscreen with 
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or more, which will 
block both UVA and UVB when outdoors and 
reapply it according to manufacturer's directions. 
Seek immediate medical attention if you receive 
skin or eye damage from the sun or if you 
experience an allergic reaction to the sun. 
See your dermatologist or personal physician if 
you develop an unusual mole, a scaly patch or a 
sore that doesn't heal.
Always wear a broad?spectrum sunscreen with 
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or more, which will 
block both UVA and UVB when outdoors and 
reapply it according to manufacturer's directions.

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