Summer has officially arrived. Warm days and bright sun call to all of us to get outdoors and enjoy it while it lasts. Fresh air is always a good thing and the more time we spend in nature the more our bodies will thank us, but we want to make sure we are doing it the right way.
Sun exposure has many positive benefits to our health including creation of vitamin D, positive effects on mood and energy (especially those suffering from SAD), decreased tension and stress, and improved relaxation. Soaking up the rays in a healthy manner is great for our health.
One of the greatest benefits of sun exposure is our body’s ability to create vitamin D from it. Vitamin D is required as a precursor to steroids and hormones, as an integral part of our immune system, to help with energy production and has been shown to be beneficial in preventing chronic disease. When the sun’s rays hit our skin it produces a reaction that begins a chain of events in our skin and kidneys that allows us to create the vitamin. A fair skinned Caucasian individual requires 10 minutes of direct exposure to the sun in order to create their daily supply of vitamin D. Those with darker skin will require slightly longer exposure.
Although the sun has multiple benefits for our health, it also comes with some risks. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can have damaging effects on our skin. The UV rays are what give our skin the elusive summertime tan or glow that most people seek out, but the more we tan our skin the more at risk we are for damaging effects. Exposure to the sun can cause freckles, wrinkles, discoloration of the skin, weakening of the collagen and elastic tissue causing sagging and lines, dilation of small blood vessels under the skin, benign tumours and pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in North America with numbers continually on the rise. The UV radiation from the sun causes damage to our skin cells which produce uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells leading to the development of skin cancer. The UV radiation from tanning beds has the same effect on our skin.
We should all be sun safe and take precautions in order to protect our skin from these damaging UV rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays is a great barrier method. UVB rays typically are the cause of the red sunburn and damaging effects on our top layer of skin, while UVA rays can penetrate to deeper layers of the skin. Applying sunscreen before sun exposure and reapplying regularly while out in the sun will help keep your skin protected.
While sunscreen is a great barrier method, we also want to be conscious of the type of sunscreen we are applying. Our skin is our largest organ and anything that we apply topically will be absorbed through the skin and into our bodies. A lot of sunscreens (and other personal care products) contain a number of chemicals that can have harmful effects on our body. These chemicals can affect our hormones or even increase our risk of cancer. A great resource for finding out the safety of your sunscreen would be the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. This is a free online resource that lists the toxicity rating of personal care products and also has lists of the safest sunscreens on the market.
Sunscreen is a great way to protect our skin from sunburns and other damaging effects, but we also want to spend our time in the sun wisely. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion occurs when our body is not able to regulate its temperature properly after long-term exposure to heat. Make sure to seek shade when you are outdoors for extended periods of time to limit your damaging UV ray exposure and to keep your body from over heated. Wear a hat and cover up exposed skin. Avoid outdoor activities during peak periods in the sun. Staying hydrated will keep your body cool and keep it functioning optimally to avoid exhaustion. Utilize cooling compresses when you are feeling warm and to help cool down any sunburns you may inadvertently acquire.
With our long winters in Saskatchewan, we all want to enjoy the summer sun while it’s here. Make sure you are protecting your body from harm and enjoying the sun safely.
This article is intended for educational and information purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you require medical advice, diagnostics or treatment, please contact your nearest healthcare professional.
Sun exposure has many positive benefits to our health including creation of vitamin D, positive effects on mood and energy (especially those suffering from SAD), decreased tension and stress, and improved relaxation. Soaking up the rays in a healthy manner is great for our health.
One of the greatest benefits of sun exposure is our body’s ability to create vitamin D from it. Vitamin D is required as a precursor to steroids and hormones, as an integral part of our immune system, to help with energy production and has been shown to be beneficial in preventing chronic disease. When the sun’s rays hit our skin it produces a reaction that begins a chain of events in our skin and kidneys that allows us to create the vitamin. A fair skinned Caucasian individual requires 10 minutes of direct exposure to the sun in order to create their daily supply of vitamin D. Those with darker skin will require slightly longer exposure.
Although the sun has multiple benefits for our health, it also comes with some risks. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can have damaging effects on our skin. The UV rays are what give our skin the elusive summertime tan or glow that most people seek out, but the more we tan our skin the more at risk we are for damaging effects. Exposure to the sun can cause freckles, wrinkles, discoloration of the skin, weakening of the collagen and elastic tissue causing sagging and lines, dilation of small blood vessels under the skin, benign tumours and pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in North America with numbers continually on the rise. The UV radiation from the sun causes damage to our skin cells which produce uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells leading to the development of skin cancer. The UV radiation from tanning beds has the same effect on our skin.
We should all be sun safe and take precautions in order to protect our skin from these damaging UV rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays is a great barrier method. UVB rays typically are the cause of the red sunburn and damaging effects on our top layer of skin, while UVA rays can penetrate to deeper layers of the skin. Applying sunscreen before sun exposure and reapplying regularly while out in the sun will help keep your skin protected.
While sunscreen is a great barrier method, we also want to be conscious of the type of sunscreen we are applying. Our skin is our largest organ and anything that we apply topically will be absorbed through the skin and into our bodies. A lot of sunscreens (and other personal care products) contain a number of chemicals that can have harmful effects on our body. These chemicals can affect our hormones or even increase our risk of cancer. A great resource for finding out the safety of your sunscreen would be the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. This is a free online resource that lists the toxicity rating of personal care products and also has lists of the safest sunscreens on the market.
Sunscreen is a great way to protect our skin from sunburns and other damaging effects, but we also want to spend our time in the sun wisely. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion occurs when our body is not able to regulate its temperature properly after long-term exposure to heat. Make sure to seek shade when you are outdoors for extended periods of time to limit your damaging UV ray exposure and to keep your body from over heated. Wear a hat and cover up exposed skin. Avoid outdoor activities during peak periods in the sun. Staying hydrated will keep your body cool and keep it functioning optimally to avoid exhaustion. Utilize cooling compresses when you are feeling warm and to help cool down any sunburns you may inadvertently acquire.
With our long winters in Saskatchewan, we all want to enjoy the summer sun while it’s here. Make sure you are protecting your body from harm and enjoying the sun safely.
This article is intended for educational and information purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you require medical advice, diagnostics or treatment, please contact your nearest healthcare professional.