SUN CARE

Sunshine, although essential for health and well being, is certainly a hazard for the skin. For many people it feels good to spend time outdoors and this makes it difficult to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Most of the sun exposure we accumulate throughout our lives, is thought to be the effect of multiple short periods of time outside. If the ozone depletion continues this may also increase our lifetime exposure. Exposure to the sun also causes moisture depletion and dries out the skin. Therefore, it is essential to step-up moisturisation, when you have been out of doors for a long time.

Sun damage of the skin, also known as photo damage can be either acute, as in a sunburn or more commonly, chronic, seen as gradual changes in the skin caused by an accumulation of sun exposure throughout one’s life. Chronic photo damage results in either a cosmetic change in the skin’s appearance called photo aging, or changes that are of medical and health concerns such as pre-cancerous lesions and
skin cancers. The evidence is very strong that ultra-violet light is the cause of most of the changes that we consider to be associated with aging of the skin.

The sun continually produces UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B rays reach the earth and are a major cause of skin damage like skin aging, sun-burn, immune suppression, and even skin cancer. There are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and can cause melanoma in susceptible people. UVB rays, which don’t penetrate as deeply, cause sunburn and wrinkling. Most UVB rays are absorbed by sunscreens, but only about half the UVA rays are absorbed. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the primary cause of skin cancer.

The skin has a defence mechanism against sun-damage, in the form of melanin. The production of melanin is accelerated on sun-exposure. However, we have seen that this defence is not enough. That is why protection of the skin, with ingredients that block the
sun’s radiation damage, is so essential. These sun-block agents are incorporated into ’sunscreens’.

It is very important to protect your skin during exposure to the sun, because of the risk of skin cancers. Long-term sun exposure also causes premature ageing, where the skin becomes less elastic and wrinkles develop. Using the proper skin protection products can help prevent sun damage. The two main ways of protecting the skin today are applying a sunscreen lotion to the exposed areas or simply covering the skin with a garment.

Good Sun Care includes:

• trying to stay out of the sun between 11am and 4pm during summer;
• wearing a protective hat, sunglasses, clothing and lip screen;
• using sunscreen to prevent skin burning; and
• Use sun care products.

Sun protection factor (SPF)

Sunscreen SPF is the ‘Sun Protection Factor’ and relates to the amount of absorption of ultraviolet rays type B (UVB). The SPF indicates theoretically how long you may stay in the sun before burning. If your ‘burn-time’ without sun protection is 10 minutes, then a Factor 15 product could allow you to stay in the sun for 150 minutes (15 min x 10) or 2 hours 30 minutes. However, you should really reapply sunscreen during this time. The burn time differs for different skin types.

Sunscreen products

Cream-based sunscreens tend to be more resistant to removal by water than alcohol-based products. ‘Water-resistant’ products retain their sun protection for at least 40 minutes in water. However, you should be aware that oily products may prevent the evaporation of perspiration, which can increase the risk of over-heating, especially in humid conditions. People with acne should also avoid oil-based products as these could worsen such skin problems.

While overexposure to the sun is harmful, even fatal, no exposure means the body can’t manufacture vitamin D , which is the only vitamin whose biologically active form is a hormone. Vitamin D is produced in the skin from the energy of the sun’s UV rays. People at risk for vitamin D deficiency include alcoholics, non-milk drinkers, and those who do not receive much sunlight, especially those who live in regions that get little natural light.

Despite the obvious dangers of unprotected sun exposure, we do need some contact with sunlight as it helps with the production of vitamin D. This is an essential vitamin that plays a number of important roles, including helping regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which is needed to help keep our teeth and bones healthy.

Sun Care
Nutrovita

Article Source