We wait months for summer to finally get here so it seems only natural that we want to hurry up and get out and enjoy the sun. Enjoy the sun but be careful of sun over exposure! Too much exposure to sunlight can seriously damage the skin. Some of this damage is short-term (temporary), such as sunburn. However, allowing your skin to burn can lead to future problems, such as skin cancer due to long-term skin damage. There are two main types of damaging ultraviolet (UV) sunlight: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging the middle layer (the dermis). The dermis contains the elastic tissues that keep the skin stretchy. UVA rays therefore have the effect of aging the skin and causing wrinkles. UVB rays are absorbed by the top layer of skin (the epidermis). This causes sun tanning but also burning. Both UVA and UVB rays increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Getting sun burnt is therefore a warning sign that you are putting yourself at risk. So why do we crave the summer sun so much? One reason is because the UV from the Sun is needed by our bodies to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D helps strengthen bones, muscles and the body’s immune system. Another obvious reason is that it helps our moods – Research suggests that sunlight stimulates the pineal gland in the brain to produce certain chemicals called ‘tryptamines’. These chemicals improve our mood. Go out and enjoy the summer sun just don’t bake in it. Be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, apply it regularly, and wear a large brim hat to protect your face and neck. Stop by or give us a call if you have questions or need to purchase sunscreen at 763-494-9905.
Happy Summer! from your friends at Belladerm Medspa!
