We’re finally in the middle of summer, and we still haven’t got over heading outside and soaking up the sunshine. Does it ever get any better than this? As much as we love the season, it’s still important to keep ourselves safe when out enjoying the heat. In fact, there are several reasons why protecting your skin from the summer sun is important.
Reduce the chance of sunburn
Sunburn isn’t just painful; it can also be highly dangerous, too. Every time we head out into the sun without any protection we run the risk of coming home with a sunburn. This is just like any other burn we get on our body and can lead to blisters if the heat from the sun is intense enough. These can then lead to permanent damage, such as an increased risk of illnesses and scarring.
Lessen the chances of skin cancer
Getting in the sun can be fun for a while, but it is also the primary cause of skin cancer all around the world. In fact, studies have shown that getting severe sunburn five times in our life means we are 80% more likely to develop the illness. Of course, there can also be other factors to take into consideration, and getting sunburn doesn’t mean you will develop skin cancer, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Slow down the aging process
While we might not like to think about it, the chances are that one day we might have a wrinkle – or four. So rather than speed up the process, why not do everything in your power to slow it down? Heading out into the sun on a regular basis can help weaken any elasticity in your skin which will lead to quicker formation of wrinkles, under-eye circles, and even sagging skin.
Boost your immune system
You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that getting in the sun is a quick way to boost your immune system. After all, sunshine is packed full of vitamin D – that means it must be good for us, right? Well, it might not be that easy. Studies have shown that UV rays actually reduce how effective our immune system really is. This means you could end up getting sick in the height of the summer after too much tanning.
Help protect your eyes
Okay, so they might not be part of your skin, but protecting your body from the sun can also have a significant effect on your eyes. Too many UV rays have been linked to damage to our sight, such as photokeratitis, macular degeneration, cataracts, and even temporary vision loss. This is why it’s essential to take a pair of sunglasses out before heading into the bright sunshine.
Avoid a sun allergy
Yup, you read that right. Some of us really are allergic to the sun – around one in five, in fact. Spending too long in the sun can mean overexposure to UV rays. These rays could eventually stimulate a reaction in our body that will occur whenever we head into the sun. Symptoms can include anything from a small rash to uncomfortable pustules or blisters.
Although getting in the sun and soaking up some vitamin D is an important part of staying healthy, it’s vital to ensure we protect our skin from the sun, too. Keeping covered, sticking to the shade, wearing a hat, and applying sunblock are some of the many simple ways we can avoid too much sun exposure this summer, and ensure we stay safe.