Sun Effects on Your Skin

Our skin is our largest organ. Highly important to many bodily functions, skin regulates body temperature, protects us from infection and excretes waste. It is also an organ highly subjected to external stimuli such as touch, chemicals and sunlight. The ways in which the sun effects skin are not just superficial, and sunlight is of great importance to our health if taken in moderation.

Vitamin D is responsible for healthy bones, and deficiencies have been linked to osteoporosis, heart disease and various cancers. While it is possible to acquire vitamin D via supplements or diet, a prime and freely-available source is produced by sunlight. One of the many ways in which the sun effects our skin is by aiding in vitamin D production. Just fifteen to thirty minutes per day of unprotected mid-day sun is enough to supply most adults with enough vitamin D to eliminate any deficiencies. These deficiencies are so prevalent that many studies suggest toning down messages advising the use of protection during all sun exposure. Some of these studies even suggest that deaths caused by vitamin D deficiencies outnumber those due to skin cancer, implying that moderate sun exposure might have been preventative.

In addition to reduced risk of some diseases, a recent study has shown a link between sunlight absorption in summer months and the occurrence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the winter. While previous studies illustrated the effectiveness of light therapy for treating SAD, a recent study indicates a link many had not considered, that the sun effects our skin in ways that might be felt months later during times when it is less readily available. This is due to excess vitamin D and a substance called cholecalciferol stimulating the production of serotonin, which helps combat depression.

As is true with most things, sunlight's benefits are only available in moderation. Many of us believe that tanned skin is a mark of beauty, a cultural belief with its most recent origins in post World War II society. However, tanned skin is in fact the result of damaged tissue, the extent of which is impossible to predict.

Tanned skin is the result of certain types of UV radiation that penetrates the ozone layer. These rays cause damage to cells in the dermis, the skin's deeper layer. While this damage manifests visibly as a tan, repeated tanning causes premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. Still another type of UV radiation, albeit one that is less common, strikes the surface of the skin and causes sunburn. This type of UV radiation is responsible for various skin cancers.

The ways in which the sun effects our skin are cumulative. Avoiding tanning after having enjoyed the practice for years does not lessen the damage already done. Also, earlier in life is when much of the average person's cumulative sun exposure is acquired, which is why protecting children from the sun is very critical.

If taken in moderation, sun exposure has a variety of health benefits difficult or inconvenient to acquire elsewhere. It also has its drawbacks of which it is important to be aware. Fortunately, with a bit of planning and thought, it is possible to enjoy its benefits while minimizing risk factors, thus making your days spent in the sun healthier in ways you may not have imagined.