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This is truly a strange world that we live in - generations ago it was a status symbol not to have a tanned body and face, since it indicated that you were not from the "workers class" - whereas now - a suntan is a status symbol, since it indicates that you have enough free time to sun bathe and enjoy the good life.
On this page you will find information regarding sun damage, sun tanning and photoaging which we have divided into the following headings:
Unfortunately, this sun-kissed look, which seems to be the badge of glowing health, is in actual fact the opposite - and it does not matter if you acquired the tan under the sun or at a tanning boutique / on a sun bed - the UV rays are still bad for your skin either way.
Not only does sunlight cause premature aging, but it is the leading factor in skin cancer and photodermatoses.
In a poll conducted, it was found that more than 80% Americans are aware of the damage that sun exposure could cause, but less than half of those polled took any steps to protect themselves.
The one benefit that sun tanning does have is that it causes the body to manufacture its own vitamin D - which is essential to the proper functioning of our bodies - but only a 15 minute exposure to sunlight per day is required to achieve this, and more importantly - people living in the developed countries obtain enough vitamin D through their diet, so as not to rely on manufacturing it themselves through sun tanning.
Sunlight consists of ultraviolet radiation which can be divided into the following wave lengths:
- UVA 320 - 400 nm
- UVB 290 - 320 nm
- UVC 100 - 290 nm
The two types of radiation that we should be careful of are UVA and UVB, since UVC is mostly absorbed in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer of earth - but should it penetrate this valuable screening mechanism, it can cause grave cellular damage to tissue.
UVA and UVB radiation changes the cells in the skin by interfering with the proper working of the DNA, promotes the formation of free-radicals in the cell, causes the breakdown of collagen and inhibits the workings of the immune system.
When talking about UVA and UVB, it is important to keep in mind that although UVB is the cause of sunburn, it is really
UVA that causes the skin to age with wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers. For this reason it is important to ensure when buying a sunscreen that it is effective for both UVA and UVB and that a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher is purchased.
Referring to the statement above regarding UVA and UVB it must however be noted that a study done in Japan Reference 69 showed that UVB radiation causes wrinkle formation, decreases skin elasticity and damages dermal elastic fibers in rats exposed to UVB radiation, but that a topical application of an extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L. (synonym Poterium officinalis and Greater burnet), after radiation, inhibited wrinkle formation, maintained skin elasticity and inhibited the decrease of dermal elastic fiber in a dose dependant manner.
Although some might think that sunburn is not a dangerous condition - think again. Chronic UVB radiation causes photoaging, epidermal pigmentation, telangiectases, solar elastosis, as well as carcinogenesis, while acute UVB radiation results in erythema (blood vessel dilation) as well as edema (because of vascular hyper permeability). Reference 71
- To read a true-life story of sun tanning and skin cancer please click here.
As we age, we have a degeneration of collagen, but the introduction of sunlight speeds up this breakdown process and also causes the build-up of abnormal elastin.
Free-radicals are formed with sun exposure. They are unstable oxygen molecules that scavenge other molecules, and in so doing set off a chain reaction which leads to cell deterioration.
UV radiation also causes the walls of blood vessels to lose some of their integrity, and in doing so can cause bruising in the skin.
Sunlight, as we mentioned earlier, is the leading cause of skin cancer - including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
If you are tanning on a regular basis, it may be worth your while to re-examine your need to have a sun-kissed look - and if it is that important to you to be bronzed, maybe consider using a quick-tan type of product instead.
To help prevent skin damage due to sunlight, it is best to avoid sunburn by not tanning in the sun or at tanning parlors, wearing protective clothing, using a sunscreen lotion or cream and to consult with a dermatologist if you find any suspicious looking skin lesions or marks.
Indirect sunlight is also damaging to your skin, and indirect sunlight / reflected sunlight can still retain more than a third of its UV rays.
Although the statement that sun blocks block UV rays is partially correct, keep in mind that glass helps to screen UVB rays - the burning rays - but does very little to the penetration of UVA rays - these are the rays which cause aging and wrinkles.
Dermatologists have a rating system, referred to as the Fitzpatrick Classification of Skin Types, to which skin is classified in its relationship to sensitivity to the sun.
Type I Type II Type III TYPE IV TYPE V TYPE VI
In a broad sense, you may find that people with blond or red hair and a very pale and fair complexion, as well as blue or green eyes will fall within types I & II and most of the time their ethnic ancestry can be traced to Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian or North European forefathers.
People from Mediterranean extraction, with more olive skin, which would include Italian, Greek and Spanish people, will normally fall within types III, IV or V, while East Asian and Hispanic people would normally fall within type V and people from sub-Sahara Africa will fall under type VI.
Simply having a darker colored skin does not provide immunity from dehydration and sun damage over the long term, and for this reason, which European and American people sometimes find an oddity, you will find dark skinned people of Africa very often walking with umbrellas when in the sun - which proves that the dark skinned African people are aware of the damage that the sun can cause - even if you have a very dark or black complexion.
Do not tan during the hours 10 am to 3 pm.
But do not think that you cannot pick up sun damage outside these hours - you still can, but sunlight is more concentrated during the period of 10 am to 3 pm. Also do not think that you burn less on cloudy days - 80% of the UV rays still reach the ground. If you are skiing, also ensure that you use a good quality sunscreen since up to 90% of sun rays are reflected by ice and snow.
Wear a high SPF factor sunscreen - (do not use sunscreen lotions on babies under 1 year of age - simply keep them out of the sun)
When choosing a sunscreen, make sure that it is effective for both UVA and UVB - both these rays are damaging. When outdoors and out swimming, re-apply sunscreen regularly, as well as after you had a swim. Ideally apply a sunscreen while still indoors at least half an hour before going out into the sun - this will help the sunscreen to settle on your skin.
Consider using sun blocks containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, kaolin or talc - these are normally white colored, rather sticky lotions and creams - on areas that are over-exposed - like your nose, lips, ears, cheekbones, breasts and shoulders - it may not be the best looking sun protection, but is one of the best.
As stated, zinc oxide is an excellent sun block, but other compounds are also good to help with sun screening (not sun blocking), since they absorb the UVB radiation - such as PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid), PABA esters, salicylates, anthranilates and benzophenones.
Using a sunscreen with a factor of less than 8 gives very little protection, while a factor of between 8 and 15 only provides moderate protection. Although sunscreens and sun blocks help with the UVA and UVB radiation, they do little to protect you against infrared or heat radiation.
This is a form of invisible light, found in sun radiation, and although very little research has been done on this form of radiation, it is thought that it may also contribute to sun damage and photo-aging.
Remember that tanning oils and creams, like cocoa butter or coconut oil, do NOT protect the skin - unless it clearly states on the container that sunscreen protective ingredients have been added.
Wear good quality sunglasses while outside, since sun exposure can cause eye disorders later in life.
It is best to consult an optometrist about the best type of sunglasses, but the general consensus is that polarized lenses with a gray, brown or dark green tint are the best. If the lenses are too dark, pupils can dilate too much, and this could allow potentially harmful rays to reach the retina in the eye.
Wear clothes that offer protection from the sun.
Daily exposure to the sun, while simply walking around or having a leisurely picnic or watching outdoor sports, can cause your skin to be burnt without you actively trying to suntan.
With this in mind, keep protective clothing, such as loose-fitting long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats in mind. The most suitable colors for this type of clothing would be light colored, tightly woven and light weight fabrics.
Although a bronzed body and face may look good at twenty, the effect that it will have when you reach forty, or earlier, is simply not worth the short-lived appeal, but if you are still determined to get that bronzed tan look keep the following in mind.
When starting to tan, use a high SPF factor sunscreen, and start with a very short time in the sun. This can then slowly be increased until you have a "base" tan, where the melanin has been activated in your skin, and you start to have an all-over color. We are using the word color - if you are bright red all over with a sensitive skin, you then burn and should stay out of the sun to prevent any further damage.
After you have an all-over color, you could reduce your SPF factor sun block to start bronzing your skin - but still be careful - even if the melanin has been activated in your skin, you can still burn and damage it.
After achieving your bronzed look, switch to a higher SPF factor again to protect your skin, since you would only need to maintain and not achieve your required tan.
In closing, please be careful of the sun - your short-lived bronzed look can be your short-lived payment for long term skin problems, premature aging and possible skin cancer.
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