After a long winter trapped inside, there is nothing better than getting outside and feeling the warm sun on your skin. After all, the sun's rays have many beneficial properties. Most of us already know it provides our bodies with vitamin D. But, it can also enhance our mood and, in some cases, cure depression. It has been used to help relieve pain in fibromyalgia patients. It even has the power to promote wound healing through it's antimicrobial effects. However, the sun can also be extremely dangerous. How can something be so beneficial yet so harmful at the same time? The same way anything in our lives can be; it's all about moderation. If you are going to be outside for more than 10 minutes, wear sunscreen! Let's have a look at why it's so important.
You went to the beach (or lake, or water park, or pool...) for the day and you forgot sunscreen. Oh well, it doesn't look too sunny out, you should be fine, right? WRONG! The sun's powerful UV rays slice right through those lingering clouds. A few unprotected hours later and, BAM, you have a sunburn! Not only do sunburns cause pain and discomfort, but they also cause skin damage. A lot of skin damage. A person's risk for melanoma-the most serious form of skin cancer-doubles if he or she has had 5 or more sunburns. Keep in mind, a sunburn is considered to be overexposure of the sun's rays causing ANY degree of reddening of the skin. No matter how "burnt" you are, there has been some damage done.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and is quickly becoming the most common form of cancer. When treated early, it's fairly easy to make a full recovery. But treatment can be a pretty uncomfortable road. Depending on the type, size, and location of the cancerous cells, the treatments can vary from easy surgical incisions to burning or freezing of the tissue. If it's stubborn enough, chemotherapy may even be used. I don't know about you, but I don't like the sound of that!
We all want younger looking skin, but repeated overexposure to the sun's harmful rays can cause the skin to age at an accelerated rate and lead to discoloration. This is called photo-aging and may take years for someone to see these effects. However, once the damage is done, your skin will begin to age faster than you may have hoped it would! Sun damage can take many forms, some more serious than others. Common associated skin changes may include:
-Freckles (especially on the face)
-Dry, rough skin
-Weakening elasticity of the skin
-Darkening patches
-Thinning of the skin
-Those dreaded deep wrinkles!
Do you have some really rad tattoos that you are proud to show off every chance you get? I do! I love my tattoos! However, sun exposure is our tattoo's worst enemy! If you have put a lot of time, effort, and money into your tattoo, the last thing you want is sun damage. The more sun exposure your tattoo gets, the more it will fade into a blob of unrecognizable rad-ness. Be sure to protect it!
Now we know that wearing sunscreen is important, so let's just do it! It may take a few more minutes to get out the door, but our skin is worth it! Look for sunscreens with at least an SPF of 35, preferably 50-75 for children. If you sweat or go swimming, be sure to re-apply every 80 minutes. Wear big brimmed hats, grab your sunglasses, and don't forget to later up those toes, too!
Now, get outside and soak up some sun, just not too much!
Natalie Lurie
natalie@guidingfitness.com
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