It's that point of 12 months when everyone looks forward to a little bit of fun within the sun. However, an excessive amount of sun may be dangerous. The sun's UV rays damage the skin. Children are especially in danger as they spend more time outdoors and may easily get sunburnt.
Skin damage brought on by sun damage increases the danger of:
- Skin cancer: Skin cancer develops totally on sun-exposed areas of skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands, and legs. Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker skin. Skin cancer occurs when mutations occur within the DNA of skin cells. Much of the DNA damage in skin cells is brought on by UV radiation in sunlight and the lamps in tanning beds.
- Wrinkles: Although genetics mainly determine the structure and texture of the skin, sun exposure is considered one of the important causes of wrinkles, especially in individuals with fair skin. UV radiation destroys the skin's connective tissue – collagen and elastin fibers that lie within the deeper layer of the skin. Without the supporting connective tissue, the skin loses firmness and adaptability. The skin then begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
- Age spots: Age spots are brought on by overactive pigment cells. UV light accelerates the production of melanin, a natural pigment that offers skin its color. On skin that has been exposed to the sun for years, age spots appear when melanin clumps together or is produced in high concentrations. The use of business tanning lamps and beds can even cause age spots.
One approach to protect your skin is to make use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at the very least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours – or more often for those who swim or sweat. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your lips, the guidelines of your ears and the backs of your hands and the back of your neck.
Sunscreens must maintain their original strength for at the very least three years, in response to the Food and Drug Administration. This means you should use leftover sunscreen from one 12 months to the following. Some sunscreens have an expiration date – a date that indicates once they are not any longer effective. Discard sunscreen that’s past its expiration date. If you purchase sunscreen without an expiration date, write the acquisition date on the bottle. Throw away the bottle if three years have passed because the purchase date.
In addition to sun protection, avoid sun exposure during midday when UV rays are strongest. Wear sunglasses that block each varieties of UV radiation – UVA and UVB rays – and wear a wide-brimmed hat and other protective clothing.
Exercising and spending time outdoors is vital for health, and staying protected from the sun will assist you and your loved ones accomplish that safely.
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