Sun is known as the source of life on Earth, but for the last ten years, scientists have constantly warned us about the dangers of overexposure to the sun. But is there any truth in it?

Sun stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin; Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphate and is essential for normal growth and bone mineralization. According to the WHO, for the formation of vitamin D exposure to UV light of only 5-15 minutes twice a week is sufficient. So, long-term sun exposure for the purpose of health has no professional justification. It's more about aesthetic reasons in order to obtain a tanned appearance. The more skin pigment there is, or the more the skin gets darker, it is more resistant and more secure. However, melanin does not ensure complete protection of the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. It only allows dark-skinned people to be exposed to sunlight longer without experiencing sunburn, while fair-skinned people turn red only after a few minutes of sun exposure. There are three types of UV radiation - UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA radiation is constant regardless of the time of day or season, and skin is always equally exposed to this radiation that passes through the glass and water. Its harmful effect comes to the fore only after several years or even later, because it penetrates into the deep layers of the skin and does not cause a rapid response of the organism. UVB radiation is responsible for skin pigmentation and, if exposed to often, it can cause redness of the skin and burns. Prolonged exposure can cause premature aging of the skin and in some cases skin cancer. UVC radiation has no detrimental effect because it is fully absorbed by the ozone layer of the Earth.

SUN PROTECTION

Sunscreen products must absorb radiation in the UVA and UVB range; they must not harm the skin, and preferably need to be waterproof and resistant to sweat. Also, they must be easy to apply and spread over the skin. The products must be applied in amounts of around 2 mg / cm2 of the body, which equals to 6 teaspoons of lotion (approximately 36 grams) for the body of the average adult. SPF (sun protection factor) is extremely important in these products, as it stands for the ratio between the minimum dosage of UV radiation necessary for causing erythematic -reddening of the skin protected by a solar filter and the dosage required for the same reaction on unprotected skin. Products marked with an SPF of 6 to 10 provide low protection; SPF 15, 20, 25 provide high protection; SPF 30 and 50 are holders of the label for the high level of protection, while a very high level of protection provides a product labeled SPF 50+. The products are applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, and the process should be repeated every two hours or after every swim, and after toweling and sweating.

The skin should not be protected only from the outside, but from the inside as well, meaning: an optimum hydration of the body with water; fruits and vegetables of yellow and orange color (peach, apricot, tomato, watermelon), because they contain higher amounts of beta carotene which improves the regeneration of the epithelium of the skin and stimulates melanin production. Olive oil and dried fruits (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts) rich in vitamin E which protects cells from free radicals and maintains skin elasticity. Nutritional supplements with beta carotene and vitamins A, C and E and selenium may reduce acute and chronic manifestations of skin damage caused by tanning. Very effective antioxidant (stronger than beta carotene and vitamin E) is astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid pigment from algae. Grabbing free radicals, all these antioxidants keep cells from damage and prevent (potential) occurrence of mutagenic changes that could cause cancer.

DRUGS AND SUN

Certain medications in combination with the sun can act on photosensitizing skin, which means that they can lead to changes in the skin that without their application with exactly the same exposure to ultraviolet rays would not have occurred.

The most common such drugs are:

• Antimicrobial drugs (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole)
• Medicines for allergy treatments - antihistamines (diphenhydramine)
• Medicines for the treatment of malignancies (5-fluorouracil, dacarbazine)
• Drugs for heart disease (amiodarone, nifedipine, diltiazem, enalapril, ramipril)
• Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, piroxicam)
• Medicines to treat acne (isotretinoin)

What to do when sunburn occurs?

If, however, there was a strong appearance of redness and skin tightening discomfort caused by sun exposure, home care can alleviate many symptoms of sunburn. Inflammation can be eased by lotions, creams and body wraps that contain calendula. Lotions for burn treatment with added calcium can help alleviate some redness and reduce the swelling. Gels with added aloe are great for relieving skin irritation. When the skin peels off easily remove dried pieces and apply the antiseptic ointment on those parts. If you feel nausea or fever, drink plenty of fluids and immediately consult your doctor.

Awareness of the dangers does not mean that one should give up the pleasures of the summer, but caution is definitely required and advised. The most important thing is to adhere to preventive measures, to avoid sun exposure between 10 - 16 PM, wear protective clothing, head covering, and protective sunglasses, and pay particular attention to the protection of children (it is strongly advised not to expose children under the age of 6 months away to sun) for burns and sunburn experienced in early childhood increase the risk of malignant change and melanoma in adulthood nearly twice. 80% of the harmful effects that accumulate during our lives date back to our childhood. The sun's influence on the human body is cumulative, meaning that the consequences of excessive tanning in childhood and youth are reflected later in one’s adulthood.

Therefore, take extreme caution with the sun!