The human body benefits from sunlight. And a little tan will protect you from the sun. Right? Wrong!
The body really benefits from being exposed to the sun. But a little tan does not necessarily protect you from the sun. Let's see why.
Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D and helps the body system get the calcium it needs to build healthy bones. However, most people do not need to spend much time in the sun to get the vitamin D they need.
In fact, it can have a negative effect on the health of the body when exposed to the sun for long periods of time, especially if left unprotected. The consequences can range from skin and eye damage to suppressing the immune system and eventually to cancer, even in young people.
So let’s look at the basic facts about sunshine.
The sun contains three types of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays that reach the earth: UVA, UVB and UVC. When these rays come in contact with our skin, the effects of UVA and UVB can occur - tan, burns and other reactions (such as acne and cancer).
It is also worth noting that not all UV rays have the same effect. Depending on the season, time and place of the day on the planet in relation to the sun - (i.e. your height and latitude), the intensity of the rays varies. For example, in summer, UV rays are strong. The rays are strong between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And at altitudes close to the equator (where wind and cloud cover are low, the magnitude of harmful ************* UV rays in the environment increases), the rays are also stronger.
To protect ourselves from harmful UV rays, let's look at the first protection of the skin - melanin.
Melanin is a chemical found in the skin of many people of different colors and densities, which helps protect them from the sun. Melanin reacts with UV rays and absorbs them. Or more specifically, the rays act on the melanin, causing the melanin to expand or increase, increasing its appearance in response to sunlight. The result? A 'sun tan'. If the skin color is dark, it is high in melanin to protect the skin. And 'tanning' for darker colors is included here; 'Color' is not just the primary color of the skin.
Warning
Tanning may look amazing on the surface, but the amount and length a person is exposed to sunlight determines the potential damage. It also determines the future risk of potential damage.
For example, people exposed to large amounts of sun, such as ship crews, field workers and beach surfers, are at higher risk of skin damage than indoor workers. What happens is that when UV exposure is greater than the total melanin of the skin, sunburn can occur. And those with lighter, leaner skin, which has less melanin, absorb less UV and have less protection.
Since research has shown that exposure to UV from the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer (with 20% of the population developing skin cancer in their lifetime), we need to adopt an active approach to sunlight to prevent adoption. Harmful skin damage.
As we say pragmatically here in Australia - "slip, slap, slap". (I.e. 'slip' on shirt, 'slap' on hat, 'slap' on sunscreen). Take care of the skin you have, because you have it...
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