The sun’s invisible UV rays can harm your skin, resulting in issues like sunburn, dry and dull skin, uneven skin tone, premature aging, and even skin cancer over time. It’s crucial to protect yourself, especially during summer, to prevent not only minor skin problems, but also serious ones, like skin cancer. However, it’s tricky because UV rays don’t usually show instant effects, making it hard for you to pinpoint when and how damage occurred.
Remember always to use sunscreen lotion in the summer or wear a big hat and use an umbrella to keep your skin safe from the sun. So, let’s talk about what the sun can do to your skin:
1. It can cause skin cancer: The sun’s harmful UV rays can lead to skin cancer, and this is a factual observation, not a myth. Whilst the sun does offer certain benefits, it can also pose risks, so it’s important to know when it’s best to expose your skin safely.
2. It can result in uneven and dry skin: The UV rays from the sun can dry out your skin and dull your complexion, making you look different. To counteract these effects, use a good moisturizer to keep your skin smooth and radiant. It can also help lower your risk of skin cancer.
3. It boosts bone strength: The sun also helps in maintaining strong bones, making it easier for you to carry out your everyday tasks. Sun exposure can also help reduce joint pain and reduce arthritis symptoms. Being in the sun can also lessen inflammation.
4. It protects against health conditions: Sunlight exposure can help guard against rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. But make sure to take extra precautions with your child to prevent overexposure.
5. It is a source of energy: The sun, though it can cause skin cancer, is also an important source of energy. Solar energy can be used for providing light, cooking, and heating water.
6. It can prematurely age your skin: Overexposure to the sun can result in premature aging! Meaning, you could find a 20-year-old with dry, wrinkled skin due to excessive sun exposure.
7. It can cause skin redness: This could be a sign of skin cancer and is something you should get checked out. An early diagnosis could make treatment more effective.
8. It can lead to severe sunburns and dull skin: Especially in children, serious sunburns need immediate treatment. As a parent, you should make sure kids are shielded from the sun around noon or kept indoors. Symptoms of serious sunburns can include fainting, headaches, vomiting, severe blistering, nausea, and confusion.
In conclusion, the sun, being a source of vitamin D, does have some positives. It plays a role in maintaining the pigment in your skin and can protect against rickets and osteoporosis. But, the risk of causing skin cancer is a significant downside. It’s a good idea to stay clear of the sun, specifically around noon, when the UV rays are at their strongest.
