One health advice that is most often taken for granted by
people is to be extra careful when under the sun. No matter how enjoyable outside
activities may be, always pay attention to the time of the day when UV rays from the sun
are at their strongest level. Read on to find out the benefits of sunlight as well as the risks of too much exposure without proper protection.
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Why You Should Be More Careful under the Sun
Spending time
outdoors under the sun is a common pastime especially during summer or even
during winter months, when people in colder countries come to tropical zones
such as the Philippines to enjoy sunlight and warmth.
But before you
get too excited about basking under the sun, there are factors you need to keep
in mind for your health and safety against skin diseases. Learn the benefits
and dangers of sunlight and why you should be more careful in getting sun
exposure.
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Benefits of sunlight
No doubt,
sunlight has superb health benefits. Moderate exposure to sunlight helps you get the following:
- Better sleep
- Improved mood and mental health
- Stimulates production of vitamin D which is essential to bone health
- Helps in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, jaundice, and acne.
According to the World Health Organization, getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on
your arms, hands, and face 2-3 times a week is enough to enjoy the health-boosting benefits from the sun.
Dangers of too much sunlight
Sunlight has
ultraviolet (UV) rays. Excessive exposure to UV rays can damage the skin and
cause the following skin problems:
- Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation
- Elastosis -- the destruction of the elastic and collagen tissue that causes lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin
- Fine and coarse wrinkles
- Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions like melanoma
- Sallowness – a yellow discoloration of the skin
- Sunburn
Among these
health issues, one of the most alarming is melanoma. Melanoma, made up of
abnormal skin pigment cells called melanocytes, is the most serious form of
skin cancer and causes 75% of all skin cancer-related deaths. If left
untreated, it can spread to other organs and can be difficult to control.
Protect yourself from excessive sunlight
You
can never completely shield yourself from the sun. However, there are ways to
minimize exposure and reduce the risk of acquiring and developing sun-related
diseases and conditions.
Cancer Research
UK enumerated tips that will help protect you from excessive UV rays:
- Seek shade. The intense sunlight period is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make sure to keep out of the sun during these hours. If you want to get some sunlight, do it from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and within 5 to 15 minutes only.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Long sleeves, long pants, and skirts provide enough cover. Dark-coloured clothes provide more protection than light-coloured ones.
- Wear sunscreen. Consider sunscreen as one part of your skincare regimen. Choose sunscreen with at least SPF15. Follow the instructions on the label for proper application.
- Wear a hat, especially if you will be out in a beach, park, open field, or in your backyard. This will protect your scalp, face, and neck area.
- Wear sunglasses. These will protect your eyes and the sensitive skin surrounding it.
Aside from these
precautionary measures, always watch for unusual changes in your skin. Sudden
skin discoloration, irregular moles, and recurring skin lesions are telling
signs of melanoma.
For cancers such
as melanoma, an advocacy called Hope From Within promotes awareness as
well as supporting
the vision of
winning the fight
against cancer in
the Philippines. The advocacy encourages you to visit your
doctor for early diagnosis if you observe symptoms or if you are at high risk,
and get better knowledge of treatment options available.
Tags:
health and wellness
