Tips to protect yourself from the Sun and enjoy it with health

Protection against the Sun

The unprotected sun exposure causes damage that accumulate daily in the skin. It has memory effect, i.e. that excess sunlight is recorded on the skin and, when a burn has occurred in the body, with the passage of time can cause premature aging of the skin or, depending on the severity, cause various injuries as spots, allergies, cancer, etc.
Therefore, it is best to prevent these situations using appropriate sunscreens, and following a series of guidelines as applied half an hour before exposure to the Sun, replacing the product regularly, and avoiding the hours of maximum light intensity (between 12 and 4 pm).

Effects of Sun on the skin

The Sun helps to maintain good health, since it brings physical and emotional benefits such as:
• Activate the circulation.
• Promote the synthesis of vitamin D3 (increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus).
• Strengthen bones.
• Strengthening the immune system.
Also, the Sun influences in the mood, because it balances the nervous system and helps to fight depression.

Does tanning

Exposing skin to the Sun's rays, the body begins to produce a pigment called melanin, which absorbs the rays and makes skin to acquire a Tan shade to protect themselves from the Sun. But this natural defense mechanism of the body is not enough to counteract the harmful effects of the two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that reach the surface of the skin:
The grape: are responsible for that skin acquires a Tan tone, to induce the cells to produce melanin, a natural pigment that colors the skin. Although they do not burn, are not harmless, because they penetrate deep into the skin and can cause damage in the long run as premature aging, spots, loss of elasticity, and even major injuries.
The UVB: responsible for the redness.
For this reason, it is essential to use a sunscreen suitable always taken Sun, to avoid possible adverse consequences such as:
• Stains.
• Burns.
• Skin Cancer.
• Premature aging of the skin.

What is photoaging

Photoaging is aging or deterioration of the skin caused by excessive exposure to the Sun's ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet light damages Collagen fibers, and causes an overproduction of abnormal elastin fibers. The defense mechanism of the skin tries to improve this situation, causing the formation of fibers called "solar scars', causing wrinkles and skin depressions.
Also the tobacco smoke and stress increase the rate of formation of wrinkles.

What is melanoma

It is a type of skin cancer (the most serious of all), that originates in cells called melanocytes, due to an uncontrolled proliferation of them. It is almost always curable in its early stages, but it has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body if it is not detected in time.
Click on the link to learn more about melanoma.

Skin types

Different skin types have different against solar rays reactions, and each type requires a different protection factor. As it is obvious, very pale skins need a factor higher than the dark, and be exposed to the Sun for less time.
Apply a sunscreen does not prevent tanning, only slows down the process, but healthier, thus achieving a more attractive and long-lasting Tan.
Not all sunscreens are used for all persons; that is why, before opting for one must be known the phototypes of skin of the individual, i.e., the set of physical characteristics that is born every person and which determine its ability to Tan. There are 6 different skin types depending on the color of the hair and skin, as well as the ease with which burn or Tan skin.

What protection factor need your skin?

The Factor of Solar protection (SPF) indicates, by number, time that can stay in the Sun, to appear prior to the burn redness. For example, a factor 15, indicates that the Sun can be 15 times more than would be possible without having used the guard.
Six types of skin, are differentiated depending on its resistance to the Sun:
Type 1. Very light-skinned, eyes blue, red hair and freckles. It always burns.
Total FPS: 50.
Type 2. Fair skin, blond or red hair and freckles hair. It burns frequently.
FPS: 30.
Type 3. White skin. It burns with moderation and is pigmented.
FPS: 15, as a minimum.
Type 4. White or slightly dark skin, hair and brown or black eyes. It is pigmented easily and quickly. It just burns.
FPS: between 8 and 10.
Type 5. Dark skin. It rarely burns and tanning with speed and intensity. Moderate minimum protection.
FPS: between 6 and 8.
Type 6. Black skin. It will not ever burn and Tan immediately.
FPS: between 4 and 6.

Measures of protection against the Sun

Very attractive result, suntan is not a sign of good health, but the reaction of the organism to an aggression, a notice of the skin cells, which produce more pigments after suffering an injury. To enjoy the outdoors, avoiding skin to take risks, the following recommendations can be followed to protect it from the Sun:
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure to the Sun, spread it generously on dry skin, water droplets act as small magnifying glasses and may cause burns.
Don't skimp on quantity. Guard must cover the entire surface of the body, including areas such as ear or scalp, baldness or in young children.
Repeat the application periodically (every two hours, approximately), since water, sweat and friction from the towel to reduce the level of protection.
Avoid the hours of highest solar intensity. Between noon and 4 p.m., the intensity of the Sun's rays is far superior to that of the rest of the day.
Exposed to the Sun progressively. At the beginning, you should beat the 15 minutes a day. Increase the exposure time gradually, but not exceed it.
Use a high protection factor the first day and, as skin Tan, use successively lower factors. Do not dispense with the sunscreen even skin is tanned.
Remember that "total protection" there is no and that the time that remains to the Sun should be limited.
Use the same protection the cloudy than sunny days, because the clouds let much of the solar radiation.
Protegerse though it is going to remain under an umbrella, because it is also possible to burn. Water, sand and, above all, snow, reflect the Sun's rays.
Wear sunglasses, with crystals that absorb ultraviolet radiation.
Tanning by UVA rays prior to being exposed to solar radiation does not protect the skin from aging or injury.
Drinking water frequently to avoid dehydration.
If you are taking medication, make sure non-photosensitizing because they may cause burns when exposed to the Sun.
The skin of babies younger than three years and the elderly is very delicate and is damaged easily, so it should not be exposed directly to the Sun and use sunscreens with an SPF of 25.
With the older children and adolescents is necessary to take the measures previously recommended, and teach them the importance of protecting the solar radiation as they grow up and become independent.

How the Sun affects children

Infants younger than six months should not be exposed directly to the Sun, and with children under three years of age have to be very careful and take extra precautions.
This adults be exposed outdoors to activate the synthesis of vitamin D, avoiding intense tanning and, above all, Burns, which would leave the skin predisposed to developing cancer in adulthood.
The dermis of the children is much more fragile and susceptible to changes due to exposure to solar radiation, which are stored with the passage of time, causing a carcinogenic effect by accumulation. When they are exposed to the sun always must do it with solar filters appropriate to their age and skin type.
Children must also wear sunglasses and CAP or hat (covering them, as well as the head, ears, and neck). Remember that sunscreen use does not mean that the child can spend many hours in the Sun safely, so keep it in the shade as possible, and avoid to remain at twelve the morning to four in the afternoon sun.
Article contributed for educational purposes
Health and Wellness