Many people recall that song sung at the finale for the rock musical Hair: “Let The Sunshine In”. When going to the beach, an outdoor swimming pool, or even lying on your back porch sundeck, it is a very good idea not let too much of the sunshine in – especially to your skin. Many people, especially at the beginning of the summertime beach season, are in a hurry to acquire what is known as a deep, coppery colored suntan. Whether or not you can acquire a proper suntan will depend on your skin’s pigmentation ability to acquire that lovely “Coppertone Tan” as is so often advertised on TV.
Some people, especially those with very fair skin (redheads, etc.) simply cannot acquire a proper tan no matter how much they expose themselves. In fact, overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, especially for “palefaces” can be harmful and downright dangerous. When a person becomes overexposed to the sun, a condition most commonly known as ’sunburn’ develops. Sunburn occurs when the pigmentation in the skin, known as melanin, rises to the skin’s surface, resulting in a reddish pink color, which in severe case is actually a second degree burn. Besides the change in skin color, and accompanying discomfort, other symptoms of acute sunburn include headache, faintness, and nausea, accompanied by severe dehydration.
Treatment for moderate to severe case of sunburn includes immersing the body in a mixture of cold water and vinegar (an ‘old wives’ remedy that still works) and gently rubbing either a good quality body lotion into the affected areas; especially a lotion or cream specifically designed to treat cases of wind or sunburn. Since sunburn is actually a body burn, no less harmful than being burned by a hot object or fire, the effected top skin epidermal layer dies and later peels off in a similar manner as a reptile shedding its skin. Aloe vera based skin creams and lotions are also very good for sunburn.
Even dark complexioned people can develop sunburn; and in particular because they may tend to be exposed to sunlight for longer periods, thinking that their dark skin is really protecting them.
Proper tanning, which can also be done by laying on a tanning board under ultraviolet lighting, should be done slowly and for just a few minutes per session. A good tanning lotion, cream, or spray should be used which protects you from UVA and UVB categories of ultraviolet light (UVA being the sun’s rays) and with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. If tanning at the beach or pool, the suntan preparation should be re-applied after you go into the water – even for a few moments.
Taking care of one’s skin is very important in today’s world of depleted ozone layers and enhanced sunlight. The consequences of overexposure to the sun’s rays may only show up 10 to 15 years later with skin cancer or melanoma, which can disfigure and in some cases even kill people.
Remember, when “letting the sunshine in” it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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