The sun is our primary source of vitamin D and UV light, which is essential for our health. However, long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin damage resulting in an increased risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
You can reduce your risk by following the simple steps below:
1. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours from 10 am to 4 pm.
2. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs.
3. Apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on exposed areas such as your face, neck, hands and arms when outside for extended periods of time between April 1st through September 30th each year (or anytime you are at a high elevation).
In your twenties, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time in the sun. You’re young, and there are a million things to do outside. But sun damage is cumulative. A single bad burn when you’re ten years old can affect you fifty years later.
The first thing to know about sun protection is that a little bit of it doesn’t help much. Sunburns are caused by the cumulative effect of ultraviolet rays on your skin over time, so preventing sunburns is about avoiding those rays over a long period of time. And that means avoiding them altogether.
In other words: if you want to avoid sun damage completely, you should stay out of the sun completely for as long as possible. If having more fun now means less fun later, most people will say “to hell with later.” But in this case, there’s good news: you can have it both ways! You can avoid the problems of excessive sun exposure while still enjoying the outdoors!
How? Well, it depends on what you like to do outside, but there are two basic rules: shade and covering up. The further you get away from direct sunlight and cover up exposed skin, the less likely you are to get serious sun damage. In fact, if you follow
At the American Academy of Dermatology’s summer news conference earlier this month, two dermatologists announced that they are developing a new sunscreen that they say will be the first to repel almost all ultraviolet rays.
The announcement came as the Food and Drug Administration was considering new regulations for sunscreens, which are currently regulated as over-the-counter drugs. F.D.A. officials said they hoped to propose new regulations by this summer, and may allow sunscreen makers to label their products “broad spectrum” if they block ultraviolet B and A rays. The F.D.A is also considering allowing manufacturers to claim that their sunscreen “may reduce the risk of skin cancer,” which would fall in line with European Union regulations that went into effect last year.
The dermatologists, Dr. Darrell Rigel of New York University Medical Center and Dr. Clay J. Cockerell of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said their new sunscreen would block both UVA and UVB rays, which are known to cause skin cancer, sunburn and signs of aging like wrinkles and leathery skin texture.
Another common skin problem is sun damage. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Overexposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and wrinkles, freckles, age spots, dry skin, or actinic keratoses. In severe cases, overexposure can lead to skin cancer.
In order to prevent future photoaging, it is important to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Never tan for prolonged periods of time and always use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when outdoors. Be sure to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Sunlight can be a great source of vitamin D, making us feel happy and refreshed. However, overexposure to sunlight causes significant damage to our skin. Prolonged sun exposure is the main cause of premature aging, wrinkles and signs of aging.
We all want to look our best and prevent the negative effects caused by sun exposure. By following the tips below you can avoid skin damage, repair existing damage and protect your skin from further damage:
Avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours (from 11am to 3pm). If you have to go outside during these hours, use a large-brimmed hat and sunscreen with a high SPF (at least 30).
Make sure that your sunscreen contains zinc or titanium dioxide as they block UV rays more efficiently than other ingredients. Also make sure that you reapply sunscreen every two hours while in the sun.
Wear light-colored clothing as it reflects sunlight. Darker colors absorb light and heat up more quickly.
Use cream or lotion containing retinol (vitamin A). It will reduce fine lines and wrinkles and prevent them from becoming deeper. Retinol also helps repair damaged skin cells, which can reduce the appearance of discoloration and age spots.
Exfoliate regularly to
Sun exposure is a major cause of premature aging of the skin. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To protect yourself from these damaging effects, regularly use a sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including:
Limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense;
Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses;
Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating;
Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps;
Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn;
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun.
The sun provides energy for life on Earth. It is the ultimate source of all our energy. Without the sun, there would be no plant growth and hence no animal life.
Humans have always been fascinated by the sun, but only in the last century has it been recognized that exposure to sunlight can cause a number of harmful effects.
The effects of exposure to sunlight are largely dependent on latitude, season, time of day and skin type. The greatest damage occurs when fair-skinned people are exposed to sunlight during midday hours (10 AM – 4 PM) in summer months at high latitudes (above 30 degrees). People with dark skin or who receive less intense exposures are at lower risk.