Skin and Sun

No matter how much has been written and read about the damaging effects of the sun on skin, the world still flocks to sunny shores and slopes, and a tan is still admired ... people are thought to look 'well' with a tan, psychologically, therefore, they feel better. And it is quite possible to have a beautiful golden tan without damaging the skin, but the skin must never be allowed to burn, and this takes time and discipline during the first few hours and days of summer or a sunny holiday, when the excitement of blue sky and fresh air acts like adrenalin and you tend to forget all about protection and throw caution to the winds.

The fact is, the effects of too much sun on unprotected skin will sooner or later begin to show the natural ageing process is speeded up, the skin becomes irrevocably dehydrated, looks tough and lined like leather. And, severe over exposure can lead to heatstroke and skin cancer. So, whether you live in the sun all the time or whether you are exposed to it once or twice a year, protection is essential if you are to prolong the beauty of your skin and have the radiance that comes from a healthy tan.

Burning is caused by ultra violet rays stimulating the pigment bearing cells under the epidermis into producing the brown pigment called melanin. Only the shortest of these ultra violet rays have the strength to penetrate these cells, and it will take a day or two for this action to come to the surface and produce a change of color. This kind of tan lasts the longest. The rays with longer waves work on melanin granules already nearing the surface and turn them dark brown. This tan lasts less time (tans don't fade, they flake off with the dead cells). The only way to prolong a tan is to slow down the natural process of shedding dead cells: moisturizing lotions and bath oils help, or the use of a self tanning lotion (the newest ones are combined with an after sun moisturizer). When you burn, a scorched redness will show on the skin two or three hours after exposure because the tiny blood vessels on the skin's surface have dilated. The next stage, depending on the severity of the burn, is for the skin to become pimply and blistered. Once the skin is burned, however lightly, peeling of the outer, damaged layer is inevitable sooner or later. Some parts of the body are particularly vulnerable the nose and knees, for instance, because they protrude, the back of the neck and knees, because the skin there is very tender. And, if you sunbathe nude, the breasts and genitalia, of course, are the most sensitive of all.

If you want to acquire the kind of tan that is good for you and makes you glow with health, then you Must have patience and protection. If you are in the sun for the first time for many months, take it slowly avoid the midday glare completely and sunbathe for half an hour in the morning and late in the afternoon. Increase this time each day, but still avoid the hottest part and don't be misled into thinking a cool breeze off the hills or sea has taken the sting out of the sun it is only disguising the burning rays and you still need protection. You also need protection on the water, in the water and out of the water. it's no good putting on a sunscreen first thing in the morning and believing you are safe for the day a lot will be lost in natural perspiration, a lot more in the water and more as you dry yourself in the sun or with a towel. You must keep reapplying a sunscreen on your face and body.

Another frequent pitfall is a skiing or mountain holiday. Like sand and water, snow reflects the powerful damaging rays, and the skin can get just as burned on what seems to be a dull or hazy day as in brilliant sunshine. Some skins obviously burn more easily than others, but every skin needs protection to stop it from dehydrating. Very fair skin lacking in melanin will never tan deeply and red heads with freckles just get more freckles more closely packed together. Fair skins burn quickly and take time to build a tan. Warmer toned skins of the olive variety will be able to take more sun before burning. Brown and black skins can take even more exposure. But all skins become dryer in the sun if they are not moisturized and protected.