Sun Smarts
(previously published in The Experts Magazine)

The sun – we all love it. There is nothing better than a bright sunny day for a picnic, a golf game or a car ride with the top down.

The sun provides us with warmth through infra-red rays, with a rainbow of color through the visible rays, and with the disinfecting properties of the ultra-violet rays.

These ultra-violet rays also cause a gradual darkening of the skin – we call it a tan. The purpose of a tan is for protection. It acts as a shield set up by the skin to help prevent the suns rays from penetrating through the epidermis into the dermis, where it affects living cells. In a way, it’s like a mirror. A mirror is simply a piece of glass (the superficial layers of skin) with a dark coating on the back (the dark pigment of the skin). If there is a lot of dark coating (or pigment), light is reflected back. If there is very little coating, light penetrates through. In the case of the skin, if too much ultra-violet light penetrates through to the underlying tissue, it can cause damage in the form of a sunburn.

We’ve all been there before. Sunburns are not only painful, they cause blistering, peeling and scarring. Sunburns are also thought to be the main cause of the often-fatal skin cancer called melanoma.

Therefore, it is important when sun tanning to do so gradually, in order for the skin to set up its protective mechanism. If one is to be outdoors for a lengthy period of time, wear a hat and protective clothing. If this is not feasible (who wants to go swimming with a hat and clothes on?), then wear sunscreen. A good sunscreen of SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more, will allow one to be exposed to the sun for a longer period of time. Water and plain old sweat will remove the lotion, so remember to re-apply frequently. The ultra-violet rays of the sun are strongest at mid-day. Therefore, it is better to limit tanning sessions to mornings and mid-afternoons when the sun is not so strong. Take the sun for short periods at first, and then gradually increase the time until the desired tan is acquired.

If one does happen to burn, or turn “just a little pink”, there are a few things that can be done to help alleviate the pain. First of all, one must realize that a burn does not show up for a few hours. Usually, it is at the end of the afternoon before it becomes uncomfortable and color change is noticed. If you notice redness while sunning, you are likely in trouble. It could be a very deep burn that requires treatment from a physician. Most sunburns involve the superficial layers of the skin and a soothing lotion may be all that is needed. Being an “old lifeguard from way back”, I have found a few tips that seem to help:

1. Drink LOTS of water to rehydrate the skin.

2. Spray (it hurts to rub) the skin with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. You may smell like a french fry for a while but it does help soothe the skin and the pH is correct.

3. Another product to apply is Tri’s Unifec Energy. This is a conditioner for both hair and skin and is pure moisture. It is a little thick, so it must be watered down to apply. Just mix it with a little water while it is in the hand and put on. It has a very cooling effect on the skin, and if this seems too strong, simply add a little non-perfumed, hypoallergenic lotion to the mixture.

4. Vitamin E oil to help prevent scarring is beneficial to apply after the burn has begun to heal. So is shea butter, which provides a natural U.V. protection, is high in vitamins A & E and soothes irritated skin with deep lasting moisture. It also helps with cell regeneration and circulation.

5. Eat your omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils: salmon, tuna, sushi etc) to help keep skin well hydrated from the inside out.

Be Sun Smart – tan safely and wisely and enjoy your summer!