Summer is in full swing and has brought with it seemingly endless sunny days. Like most things in life, sun light isn’t all good or all bad. While it’s true that too much sun can be harmful, just the right amount can actually be helpful. How can you know when it’s time for carefree fun in the sun and when it’s time to seek some shade?
THE SUN: EMBRACE IT!
The sun is one of the best sources of Vitamin D found in nature. Sunlight triggers the synthesis of the vitamin in your body, which moves immune cells toward the skin’s outer layers, putting them in prime position to repair skin damage and protect your body against cancer. Vitamin D is crucial for the healthy development of your bones and teeth. It also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.
There’s a hormone called cortisol that is directly related to stress. It also could be related to appetite and weight gain. The Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado did a study whose results showed that exposure to bright light, like the gorgeous morning sun, can decrease cortisol levels. More sun could mean less stress and less weight gain!
As many as 7.5 million Americans suffer from a skin disease called psoriasis. Psoriasis thickens the skin in red, flaky patches. If you are one of the millions who suffer from this non-curable disease, exposure to the sun could actually help reduce your psoriasis flare ups. Similarly, sunlight can assist in the healing of acne, eczema, as well as fungal infections.
It's only early morning sun, from 7am to 9am, that is more helpful than harmful, however. So get out there, early bird, and embrace those early morning rays!
THE SUN: AVOID IT!
Sweet summertime is when many people wile away hours at the beach or at the pool working on their tan. But did you know that a tan is actually a sign of skin damage? Even if you don’t get a sunburn, any kind of tan means your skin cells have been damaged.
No matter how tan you are, or how naturally dark your skin is, you still need protection from repeated and prolonged exposure to the sun. Getting a sunburn is not the only negative side effect from the sun. Skin cancer is a risk as well - not to mention signs of premature aging that the sunlight can cause - fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and the breakdown of collagen and elasticity in the skin (which leads to saggy and droopy skin).
All of these are reasons to avoid spending a long time in the sun. If you are going to be in the sun, regardless of your skin type or shade, it’s crucial to use protection - in the form of sunscreen, sunglasses, sleeves, or sun hats - and to make regular visits to your dermatologist's office for skin cancer screenings. Without the proper precautions, sunlight can literally be deadly.
WHAT’S THE VERDICT?
We humans, like most other living things, need the sun to survive, but there has to be a balance. Soak up some sun in the early morning to keep up your Vitamin D levels, but during extended periods of time in the sunlight, keep your eyes and skin protected.
If you have already fallen prey to the sun’s tempting rays, it’s not too late to reverse their visible effects. All of our Vitality26 products, from our Skin Repair Eye Gel to our Firming Neck Cream, replace and rejuvenate your skin’s natural collagen and vitamins to fill in fine lines and wrinkles and smooth out dark spots. Find the balance between prevention and treatment with both sun protection and our high quality products.