Tans

Tans is a term that can refer to several different concepts linked by the color and material produced through tanning processes. In color terminology, tan is a pale brown shade that lies between beige and brown. It is commonly used in fashion, interior design, and branding to convey a natural or understated look. The plural form tans may appear when discussing multiple tan-colored items or variations of the shade.

Leather tanning is a chemical process that converts animal hides into durable leather. Tannins—naturally occurring plant extracts—or synthetic tanning agents are used to stabilize the collagen in hides, making them more resistant to decay. Major methods include vegetable tanning, which uses tannins from tree bark and other plant material, and chrome tanning, which employs chromium salts to speed production and produce supple leather. The resulting material is used in clothing, furniture, accessories, and industrial products.

Skin tanning refers to the darkening of human skin in response to ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun or tanning lamps. Melanin production increases to absorb UV radiation, producing a tan color and some protection against sunburn. Prolonged UV exposure raises the risk of skin damage and skin cancer, so sun safety measures—such as sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding peak-hour sun—are advised.

In mathematics, tan is the tangent function, defined as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle or as a trigonometric function of an angle. The plural "tans" is used chiefly in casual or technical language when referring to the tangent values of several angles.