Sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which is necessary for healthy bone growth. There is a drawback, though. The UV rays from the sun can seriously harm skin. Melanin-containing cells can be found in the skin's outermost layer. Skin is shielded from the sun's UV radiation by melanin. These can age the skin prematurely by burning it and reducing its suppleness.  The main cause of skin cancer is prolonged and frequent exposure to UV light. It is important not to ignores skin cancer. 1

Sunburn symptoms can include: 2

> Inflamed skin, which appears pink or red on white skin but may be more difficult to recognize on brown or Black skin.

> Skin that feels warm or hot to the touch

> Pain, tenderness and itching

> Swelling

> Small, fluid-filled blisters, which may break

> Headache, fever, nausea and fatigue, if the sunburn is severe

> Eyes that feel painful or gritty

How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun: 3

  • Clothing

The best protection is provided by clothing made of densely woven material. Darker colors may provide more UV protection than lighter ones, and a damp T-shirt offers far less UV protection than one that is dry. Some clothing has received international certification for providing UV protection.

  • Hat

Wear a hat that covers your face, ears, and the back of your neck and has a wide brim all the way around for the maximum protection. The ideal material to shield your skin from UV rays is densely woven, like canvas. Avoid wearing straw hats with sun-seeking holes. A darker hat may provide more UV defense.

  • Sunglasses

Sunglasses shield your eyes from UV rays and lessen your chance of developing cataracts. Additionally, they shield the delicate skin surrounding your eyes from the sun's rays. The best protection comes from sunglasses that shield UVA and UVB radiation.

  • Sunscreen

Before going outside, use a broad spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or more and blocks both UVA and UVB radiation. The sun protection factor (SPF), a number that evaluates how efficiently UV rays are blocked by sunscreens. Put sunscreen on again if you spend more than two hours in the sun, go swimming, perspire, or toweling off.

 

Sources:           

  1. Dugdale D. Sun effect on skin. Medline plus. Updated on July 7, 2021. Available https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm
  2. Sunburn. Mayoclinic. Updated on Oct 08, 2021. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sunburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20355922
  3. Sun Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated on April 18, 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm

Picture:  https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety