Thursday, July 5, 2012

What Everyone Should Know About Sun And Sunscreen

By Sylvia Salcedo Rojas


Recently, studies show that being exposed to the sun for several hours can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Due to its harmful effects to the skin, the sun has definitely gained a bad reputation. As a result, it is advisable to wear sunscreen or sun protection. Nowadays, it is necessary to slather sunscreen on to the body especially when you are going outside or when you are being exposed to the sun for long hours. It is important to use it constantly. In fact, it becomes part of our daily body essentials.

However, are these statements true? Does the sun really cause premature aging and skin cancer? Do the sun's rays cause damage to the skin? And, is applying sunscreen enough to prevent skin damage? Studies show that there are 1 in 7 adults that are Vitamin D deficient. This just proves that there are less people who find the sun harmful rather than beneficial.

Recently, the sun has been linked to various skin diseases such as skin cancer. Doctors and practitioners show that the sun is the major culprit when it comes to skin diseases. However, the important thing to remember is moderation. It is true that the sun's UVA rays produce free radicals. A person gets sunburned when there is an increased of these UVA rays. If a person is exposed to these UVA rays for long hours, his skin cells may be damaged. Hence, it is important to neutralized the production of free radicals which are released due to the sun's UVA rays.

Free radicals are everywhere. In fact, even in the food that we eat and the environment that we live in contain free radicals. What is vital and important is to ensure that our body is healthy and that we are incorporating moderation as part of our lifestyle. When we neutralized or moderate our exposure to the sun's UVA rays, we may be able to repair or even prevent unnecessary and detrimental damage to our skin.

There are simple and easy ways to neutralize free radicals. We can start by eating a healthy and balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are always a must have in every diet. They provide anti-oxidants which fight free radicals. In addition, we should not overexposed ourselves to the sun. Over sun bathing can definitely lead to sunburn which may lead to skin damage. In fact, Oxybenzone and Retinyl palmitate, which are potentially harmful ingredients, are found in almost 40-60% sunscreens. These ingredients are even linked or connected to various skin diseases such as skin tumors, skin cancer and even endocrine disruption.

But, the most shocking part of all is that the FDA has not changed or made any actions to alter or modify the labeling and safety guidelines for sunscreen. Since 1978, there were no changes with regard to regulating the ingredients or manufacturing of effective and safe sunscreen. Recently, it is only in Europe and Japan that manufacture and market sunscreen which are made of natural ingredients. But, in US, the FDA won't approve of using these natural sunscreens.

There are simple and easy ways to neutralize free radicals. We can start by eating a healthy and balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are always a must have in every diet. They provide anti-oxidants which fight free radicals. In addition, we should not overexposed ourselves to the sun. Over sun bathing can definitely lead to sunburn which may lead to skin damage. An application of aloe vera to the sunburned skin will do the trick to lessen the discomfort.



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