Safe sunbathing means better skin and healthier body CAIRO: As the summer kicks off, all dermatologists seem to unite in one call: Take it easy with sunbathing as its bad for the skin. But as physicians unite in this call, it seems that most people also unite in ignoring the advice. Tanning makes us look healthy; it hides all the little imperfections on our skin and makes us feel more attractive. But that s a temporary effect. In the long run, all the days you've spent on the beach without skin protection will come back to haunt you. Maybe it's time to listen to the dermatologists after all. Sun rays can lead to those unwanted skin blemishes, cataracts and a weakened immune system. Unprotected exposure to the sun causes premature aging, where the skin becomes thick, wrinkled and leathery. This is besides the risk of skin cancer. There are two ultraviolet radiations from the sun that enable you to tan. First, there is Ultraviolet A (UVA), which is responsible for darkening the pigments in your skin, thus giving you a tan. The second is Ultraviolet B (UVB) which is the one that causes skin burns. It is much stronger than UVA. Unfortunately tanning is not all these radiations do. They are linked to malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and are also linked to immune system damage. Malignant melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer that if not treated early can lead to death. The lighter your skin the more liable you are to get it. It appears in the form of moles or as normal-looking skin. The early effect causes moles to disfigure and change color, from brown to purple. But if it is caught early, it is curable. Although skin color may provide some protection against cancer, with the darker being the more protected, the immune systems in people with dark and light skin are all affected equally by the sun. The body has a defense immune system which includes white blood cells called T lymphocytes and specialized skin cells called Langerhans. When skin is exposed to sunlight, the body's natural chemistry can suppress these immune factors, making you more vulnerable to diseases. If it's appearance you are really concerned about, not general health, then you should also be cautious with sun exposure. In the long run, sun radiation causes premature wrinkles. According to Dermatologist Dr. Mohsen Soliman, the elasticity of the collagen fibers in the face is damaged by the sun's radiation. Thus the facial skin wrinkles earlier than it would have naturally. This, however, doesn't mean that you never go out in the sun; avoiding the beach all together isn t fun. You can have a safe tan and enjoy the positive effects of sun rays. Studies have shown that those with higher Vitamin D levels had lower rates of cancer. The body needs sun radiations to absorb Vitamin D which is essential in strengthening the bones and teeth. You just don t need to lie exposed in the sun all day to get it; 15 minutes a week in the sun is enough to absorb all the Vitamin D needed. As for the advice that you should avoid sitting in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 pm, you can work around it. You don't want to miss the peak beach time. Go to the beach at 2 pm; you ll still get a tan. Even if it takes longer, at least it s safer. To ensure the safety of your sunbath, stop putting baby oil and all that fancy sun oil with no SPF; it fries your skin. According to Soliman, the minimum sunscreen you should be using is SPF15. You should reapply it regularly, every two to three hours, and apply it 20 minutes before you are exposed to the sun. Instead of instant gratification, try to think how healthy and gorgeous you ll be in the future.
