We all love the sun. Yet, despite all the warnings about the
dangers many of us are still not sun savvy.
According to the latest research from the British
Association of Dermatologists, half of Britons believe their skin to be
darker than it actually was. The findings
also revealed that many people (more men than women) think that a
base tan will protect against sunburn.
These people are spending more time in the sun than they really should.
A tan may make you feel good and look better than white
pasty skin, but it is actually a sign the skin has already been damaged by UV
radiation and is trying to defend itself.
Vitamin D and the sun
Sitting in the sun should not be used as an excuse to ensure
you get vitamin D. The British Association of Dermatologists advises against
sunbathing to increase your vitamin D levels and says that it may increase your risk of skin cancer in
doing so.
“Small amounts of incidental sunlight, as you might get through
your daily activities, may help to boost your vitamin D levels; just exposing
your face and forearms to the sun should be enough,” it says.
The renowned dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe points out that
sunscreen is a filter and not a block so you will automatically be getting
exposed to small amounts of sunlight. He suggests getting vitamin D from
supplements. If you think you may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency, consult
your doctor. Foods such as oily fish and eggs are also good sources.
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| A cloudy day is not an excuse for not putting on the sunscreen and covering up |
The different types of UV rays
UV radiation from the sun is in three wavelengths – UVA, UVB
and UVC. UVC does not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere. UVA and UVB are the two main
types of rays that damage the skin.
UVA rays are present all year, though more intense in
the summer. They pass through glass and penetrate more deeply into
the skin, causing more photo-ageing effects than UVB.
UVA exposure generates free radicals which in
turn damage DNA and predispose the cells of the skin to skin
cancer and
other cancers.
UVB rays are largely filtered out by the Earth's
atmosphere in the northern winter and are only strong when the sun is overhead.
These are shorter rays than UVA and cause direct DNA damage. They are the
rays responsible for the majority of sunburns and cause some damage to collagen
but at a slower rate than UVA.
“Intense UVA and UVB in summer sun increases skin
pigmentation which in turn creates new sun spots and makes existing ones
darker,” says Dr Lowe.
Why skin peels?
A sunburn is the skin’s reaction to overexposure to UV
radiation.
Peeling after sunburn is the body’s response to getting rid of damaged cells. “The redness from sunburn leads to inflammation and increases skin cell death and shedding,” points out Dr Lowe.
Peeling after sunburn is the body’s response to getting rid of damaged cells. “The redness from sunburn leads to inflammation and increases skin cell death and shedding,” points out Dr Lowe.
The best way to protect yourself is to wear sunscreen every
day. (Choosing sunscreen and how to apply will be covered in another post.) Dr Lowe advises wearing
it even in winter if you want to stop the visible signs of ageing. He also
recommends wearing protective clothing and a hat as well as glasses that have a
UV protection seal, when the sun’s rays are at the strongest. Cancer Research
UK says that during the UK summer, the sun's UV rays are most powerful between
11am and 3pm.
It also points out that 30 per cent to 40 per cent of UV
will penetrate through cloud cover.” For example, if half the sky is covered in
clouds, 80 per cent of UV still shines through,” it adds.
So, don’t be fooled into thinking that a cloudy day is an
excuse for not putting on the sunscreen and covering up.
By Daralyn Danns
