Harmful effects of sunbathing

The summer is here so… it’s time to hit the beach! And when there’s a beach, there must be some sunshine and sunbathing. Everyone likes sun-kissed skin. After all, tanning is beneficial to our body. Sunlight positively affects our mood and boosts the secretion of happiness hormones. What is also important for our health – it participates in the synthesis of the active form of vitamin D (more information you can find HERE). It is important, however, to sunbathe reasonably. I will encourage you to do just that today. If we overdo sun exposure, the price to pay could be really high!

Long-term exposure to UV radiation may adversely affect not only our looks but also our health!

Most of us have burnt our skin at least once in our lives. But have you come across the term photoaging? As a result of too long exposure to sunlight, the skin becomes rough, dry, loses elasticity. At the beginning, mostly UVB radiation was blamed. It is now believed that UVA also contributes to the photoaging process. Unlike UVB, penetration of UVA radiation does not depend on the condition of the weather and the time of day, it is not stopped also by the window or windscreen. It penetrates deeply into the dermis and causes pigmentation of the skin. It also contributes to the damage of collagen and elastic fibers, which unfortunately leads to the loss of elasticity of our skin, and further to the formation of wrinkles. The existing wrinkles also deepen.

Discoloration and weakening of the immune mechanisms of our skin are also the effects of excessive exposure to UVA radiation. Remember – it is very hard to get rid of sun discoloration! Excessive exposure to the sun can also have negative effects on our eyes. It may contribute to conjunctivitis and damage to the lens and retina of the eye. At the very end of this list, though no less important, are skin cancers, including malignant melanoma. Nowadays, a steady increase in skin melanoma is observed. That is why it is worth taking care of your health. Especially during summer holidays!

Our body has adapted to protect itself against solar radiation. It produces a photoprotective pigment, melanin, and has the ability to reflect radiation. Unfortunately, this protection is not enough for us. That’s why proper protection is so important, especially in the summer. We’re going on holiday to recharge our batteries and rest, and we do not want it to have a negative impact on our health.

 

I have prepared a few tips for you, how to stay healthy and at the same time enjoy your vacation:

1. Sunscreen is a must in your suitcase! But what is more important – don’t forget to use it! 🙂 The exact type of filter will depend on your complexion. People with fair complexion should use a cream with a factor of 20 or higher. If you have a darker complexion don’t go below a factor of 15.
2. Apply the cream 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun. Use it abundantly and apply it again after leaving the water (even if it is waterproof). Repeat this operation every 2-3 hours.
3. If you have some leftover sunscreens from last year you shouldn’t use them even if it hasn’t expired yet. An opened cream should be used within 6 months. After this time it loses its effectiveness so it won’t protect our body.
4. Another important tip to keep in mind is the fact that skin protection filters do not add up. If you apply sunscreens with filters of 10 and 15, then your skin will not be protected with a factor of 25 but only 15.
5. Make sure that you use special cosmetics for your face. You shouldn’t use the same ones as for the body. A cream with filter of 50+ works great for the face. At the moment it is the most effective protection against harmful radiation. Remember that the skin on your face is very sensitive. After all, we don’t want to have any extra wrinkles, do we?
6. What should be the perfect tanning cosmetic? It is worth paying attention to its composition, whether it has any toxic or allergenic substances. Ideally, it should be waterproof and have high protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Cosmetics protecting against UVA rays have the PPD symbol (Persistent Pigmentation Darkening) on their packaging. Filters protecting against UVB have the symbol SPF (Sun Protective Factor). Please note if your cream also contains UVA protection. If the cosmetic also contains skincare ingredients, that’s even better.
7. There are no filters that block 100% of solar radiation. That’s why you should try to avoid long-term exposure during the hours of the strongest sunlight, that is from 10am to 3pm. Children under 3 years of age should stay away from the sun at this time.
8. Get yourself a trendy hat, a cap, or other headwear and sunglasses to protect your eyes. When choosing sunglasses, check if they have a UV filter.
9. Last but not least – make sure you moisturize the skin with a balm and, of course, hydrate your body properly.  

Remember that nowadays the indicator of high health awareness and taking care of yourself is not tanning, but a reasonable use of the sun.

Be smart and stay safe in the sun!

 

Bibliography:

1. MacKie R.M. Long-term health risk to the skin of ultraviolet radiation. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 2006, vol. 92, no 1, p. 92-96.
2. Halliday G.M. et al. The suppressive effects of ultraviolet radiation on immunity in the skin and internal organs: Implications for autoimmunity. Journal of Dermatological Science, 2012, vol. 66, no 3, p. 176-182.
3. Stanisz B. Ochrona skóry przed negatywnymi skutkami promieniowania UV. Farmacja Polska, 2009, vol. 65 np. 5, p. 363-368.
4. Węgłowska J., Milewska A. Pozytywne i negatywne skutki promieniowania słonecznego. Postępy Kosmetologii, 2011, vol. 2, p. 93-97.