Finally, the days are getting longer and the sun is getting warmer. T
he first flowers pop up, the birds start singing and getting up and everyone’s a lot more cheerful. The dark and cold months after slowly left behind. And as true Dutchies, we go sunbathing at the first ray of sunshine.
Nope, a full day of sun is not great for your skin. Oh well, it can’t be that bad in early springtime, right? How should we get our vitamin D otherwise?
We’re pleased to help you out with the myths and truths around sunlight.
What is sunlight?
To understand the myths and the facts of the situation, it is helpful to understand what those rays of happiness actually consist of. Sunlight is divided into three types of radiation:
1-infrared radiation – provides warmth
2-visible light – the light that we can see and through which we can see
3-ultraviolet radiation-the cause of skin aging
You’ve probably heard about the ultraviolet kind, especially during summer. This radiation is again divided into three types based on wavelength, namely:
1-UV-C: The shortest wavelength and is withheld from reaching Earth by the ozone layer
2-UV-B: This one has a medium wavelength, it reaches the Earth and also your skin
3-UV-A: The longest wavelength, it reaches the Earth and also your skin
UV-A and UV-B are named as primary causes of skin cancer and aging of the skin. How so?
UV-B penetrates the top layer of skin, the epidermis. Here the radiation causes free radicals. Free radicals in the skin can you tell if an additional binding site for particles in the skin. Cells can be damaged because ‘other’ particles are drawn to the free radicals. This is harmful to the DNA in the cells and a possible cause of skin cancer.
UV-A have a longer wavelength, go much deeper in the skin and reaches the dermis even (second layer of the skin). The result is that the fibers in the dermis become damaged. It makes the skin lose its elasticity and there you go: wrinkles!
Avoid sunburning!
These changes in the skin can occur from an early age. The damage will not happen with every possible minute you spend in the sun, but it will happen when you get a sunburn. But don’t forget, radiation always has an effect. Our advice? You don’t have to avoid the sun at all costs, because the sun really does influence our mood and we do get our vitamin D from the light. Soon more about the positive effects of that large radiant ball! So do use sunscreen in spring and especially for the little ones. And then just go outside, enjoy the weather and play!
