Some like it hot

25.05.2010

With the recent change in high altitude winds comes a shift in weather, and the long spell of cold, grey, arctic climate from Siberia has been replaced by hot, sunny weather from the Azores. As happens every year, the great British public have flung off their winter clothes, lain half-naked in every green area and seized the opportunity to tan. The wisdom of their actions however remains to be seen.

The benefits of lounging in the sun’s glare are desirable but limited. The golden brown glow radiating off previously deathly-white skin is a sign of healthy living, freedom and restfulness, coming as it typically does after the stress and pressures of exams have ebbed away. Tanning is actually the release of a brown-coloured pigment in the skin, melanine, that is the body’s natural protection against the fierce glare of the sun and as such, even the slightest discolouration of the skin to whatever colour, pink or brown, is evidence that the sun has already started wreaking damage on our skin. With repeated or prolonged exposure, this damage spirals out of control as our skin loses its ability to repair itself and can permanently lose their smoothness or robustness and become wrinkled or cancerous.

Every action has both positive and negative consequences, so too with tanning. The UK’s health research forum has found that higher levels of exposure to the sun heralds increased amount of vitamin D. The benefits of which include a regular calcium balance and healthier bones, higher rates of cellular prolifertation and happier bodies, increased immunity against both the common cold and longer-lasting illnesses, and a higher regulation of blood pressure with less chance of developing any disease of the heart. Other doctors claim that regular exposure to the sun can quicken recovery from skin disorders, decrease the risk of autoimmune diseases and enhance mental health. Additionally, bright light reduces the affect and extent of seasonal affective disorder and can aid natural sleep rhythms - once our bodies have adjusted to hotter temperatures at night.

Although exposure to the sun has many benefits, health experts around the world agree that, as with everything, the amount taken must be limited. Overexposure to the sun can lead to increased action of every benefit which can then become dangerous. Vitamin D overdoses can lead to abnormally high calcium levels which cause bone loss, kidney stones, and calcification of internal organs which then stop functioning indefinitely. As tanning is evidence of skin damage, the deeper the tan, the greater the damage. After a certain level of browness, you start to cause your body irrepairable damage. The longevity of harm that the sun causes your skin is even greater the earlier in the season you colour. Overexposure to the sun is responsible for 1.5 million new cases of skin cancer and consequently, 8,000 deaths every year in the US alone. If the number of age-related diseases caused by the sun is factored in, this number soars. No sunscreen is 100% effective either, and 30-50% of the sun’s rays reach your skin even on the cloudiest of days.

All is not doom and gloom however. Your body is naturally built to withstand normal levels of sun, whilst pigmenting slightly and causing your body no longer-lasting damage. The probability of harming your skin is even further reduced through wise sunbathing. You probably know the common guidelines: stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm then cover up completely. Use sunscreen if outdoors for any extended period of time and ensure that you choose an appropriate factor. SPF is the measure of the effectiveness of the sunscreen and is based on 20 minute periods, thus SPF 15 means you can stay safely out in the sun for 15 x 20 minutes, though you need to double your dose if using American products as they base their measures on 10 minute intervals. Salt and dehydration can also increase the potential for creating damage so ensure you re-apply after swimming and sweating. Re-apply with a generous amount after every period stated by the SPF of your selected sunscreen and remember that sunscreen takes 30 minutes to become effective after application.

The sun can be incredibly beneficial for many parts of your body if exposed in small doses, and a slight discolouration is desirable for many in the UK. So make the most of the opportunities given by this change in weather, but take the time to be careful as well.