Should we spend time in the sun?

Question

I have a Bio. Project on the above subject.. need statistics and lots of info, enough for an 800 words or more report.. anything info I can get from some people??

Answer 1

Some time in the sun is healthy for us. Our body makes its own Vitamin D when we get out in the sun. It also makes Melatonin, which helps us sleep at night. As we age, our bodies make less Melatonin, but taking a walk in the sunlight can help to replete the supply and help an older person sleep better at night. Sunlight also helps in preventing and treating depression. People in cloudier climates have higher rates of depression than those in sunnier environments.

Sunburns and tans are natural ways of monitering how much sun exposure is too much. While sunscreen can help prevent sunburns, it also encourages us to stay out in the sun longer than we should by keeping us from seeing the warning signs of over exposure. Consequently, even with the higher use of sunscreen, doctors are not seeing a huge drop in skin cancers as one would expect. Better protection for exposure is wearing a hat or covering up with clothing.

In short, we need to get out in the sun, but we need to be careful about how much we are exposed to the sun. As with most enjoyable things in life, we need to use moderation.

Answer 2

Yes. Preferably when it is hot enough to do so with out your clothes. You also need a bottle or three of fine chilled white wine and a very good friend. And something comfortable to lie on. Can't wait for next summer!

Answer 3

If you want to get skin cancer, then go and spend loads of time in the sun with next to nothing on! If you don't (which is more likely) cover up, use sun tan lotion (at least SPF 25) or don't go out at all, you get really bad headaches and even sun stroke.

Answer 4

Yes, but cover up

Answer 5

the bbc website might help you

Answer 6

We all know that ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are harmful to our skin as they increase the risk of skin cancer, yet despite increased awareness and growth in the number of skin care products, skin cancer in the UK has doubled in the past 20 years. Children are particularly at risk as they tend to spend more time in the sun and use sun cream less effectively.

The sun produces UVA, UVB and UVC rays, all of which cause skin damage. UVC rays are very harmful, but usually don’t reach us because of the earth’s atmosphere, but global warming is contributing to more harmful rays getting at our skin. UVA and UVB rays are more likely to cause skin damage and cancer, which is why protecting ourselves in the sun is vital.

Wearing protection – Factor 1000?
It's a common misconception that the highest Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is what's best. There are a multitude of sun protection products on the market, but finding a genuinely protective one can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.

Products claiming to offer 100% protection lead to complacency; 100% protection is not possible with a cream alone, and using words like 'sunblock', as the European Commission has recently highlighted, is dangerous to the consumer.

So which Factor IS the best? Buying the highest number just means you can keep it on for a little longer. Ideally you should use a Factor 15+ and re-apply every hour. And make sure the sun cream is a 'broad–spectrum' cream with UVA and UVB protection. SPF usually refers only to UVB protection, not the more harmful UVA rays.

Changing your lifestyle
The best way to protect your skin is to use sun cream in addition to changing the way you spend time in the sun. Don’t spend hours in the sun without a break, and introduce yourself to the sun gradually; skin damage will build up the longer you stay in the sun. Wear sunglasses and clothes which protect you from the sun, and remember to reapply sun cream regularly, especially after swimming.

Skin colour
It is true that people with red hair and pale skin are at the highest risk of skin cancer, but that doesn’t mean other skin types aren't at risk as well. Even people with dark skin can be affected by the sun. Not only does sun cream reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in all skin types, it decreases the chance of developing prematurely old skin and other skin blemishes.

The good news about the sun
Sunlight helps the body to produce Vitamin D, a deficiency of which can cause bone disease. So a little sunlight is healthy, but remember that the Western diet includes a hefty dose of Vitamin D anyway. According to some research, sunlight also reduces the risk of other cancers, including breast, colon, ovary, bladder, uterus, stomach and prostate cancer. And of course a little sunshine increases the amount of serotonin in the body which makes us feel happy!

Age matters
People wrongly believe that the worst time to spend time in the sun is in their youth, and while it is true that the risk of developing skin cancer is very high in young children and young adults, the risk is significantly high in ALL age groups. So it is never too late to start being sun savvy.

Eye protection
Wear sunglasses! Not only can they look super-cool, but they decrease the risk of blindness. Exposure to sunlight can cause damage to the eyes, including the development of cataracts which need surgical treatment to prevent blindness. People exposed to lots of sun are four times more likely to develop cataracts according to recent research.

Winter protection
Even when the sun hasn’t got his hat on, there are UVA and UVB rays about. Cloudy, cold or wet, it's no excuse to forget the sun cream. In fact, experts often recommended using a sun protective cream as your daily moisturiser. While lying on the beach is risky behaviour, the exposure to UVA and UVB rays is just as important when we aren’t in the sun, as this is the time when we're usually not wearing any sun cream and therefore exposing ourselves to skin damage. Skiing and other winter sports are also high risk activities, as the snow reflects the sun’s rays onto our skin.

Getting a tan
A survey by Cancer Research UK found that, despite the risk of cancer, nearly three-quarters of young Britons aged 16-24 want a tan. There is an undoubted fashion for darker skin which is causing concern for some organisations. The Scottish government is planning to introduce age limits on the use of sunbeds in light of their alarming popularity among teenagers.

Sunbed horrors
Just because you're in a sunbed, doesn’t mean the risk of skin cancer is lower, and in fact it can be much higher. The British Skin Foundation says that, just like conventional tanning, sunbeds create a tan using ultraviolet light and therefore carry many of the same risks. Also, the exposure to the UV rays on a sunbed is constant and prolonged, and many people don’t apply suncream. What's more, using a sunbed for a quick fix can result in serious injury, and recently a woman suffered 65% burns after being locked in a sunbed.

Fake it 'til you make it
Fake tans are a safe option, but that doesn’t mean we can avoid applying sun cream in the sun if you've had one! They are simply skin colouring and not sun-protective.

Top tips for staying safe in the sun
# Missed a spot - use a factor 15 broad spectrum sunscreen and reapply it every hour, making sure you achieve complete coverage.
# Don't go naked - protect your skin with items such as sarongs, shirts, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
# Time limit - limit yourself to short time periods and avoid the hottest time of the day. Take regular breaks from the glare of the sun.
# Be aware of change - make sure you're able to recognise the signs of potentially dangerous skin change. If a pre-existing or new mole changes, you must consult a doctor quickly. Signs of a changing mole include bleeding, itching and change in size, colour, shape or texture.
# Keep well watered - the heat will increase the amount water lost in sweat, putting you at risk of sun stroke and severe dehydration. If you're drinking lots of alcohol, amke sure you chase it with plenty of water.
# Avoid sunbeds - they really do increase your risk of skin cancer as much as the actual sun does.




USEFUL LINKS

* To search for more on sun care products - click here

* To search for more on skin cancer - click here

* To search for more on wrinkling - click here

* To search for sunglasses - click here

* To search for more on skin damage - click here

* To search for more on hydration - click here