Sunburn and Tanning

You lie out in the sun hoping to get a golden tan, but instead walk away from your lounge chair looking like a lobster that's been left in the pot too long.

What Causes Sunburn :

you already know the simple explanation behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a period of time, eventually it burns, turning red and irritated.

Under the skin, things get a little more complicated. The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light:

• UVA
• UVB
• UVC

UVC light doesn't reach the Earth's surface. The other two types of ultraviolet light not only reach your beach towel, but they penetrate your skin. Skin damage is caused by both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you've been sitting outside for too long. But sun damage isn't always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to skin cancers, including deadly Melanoma .

How soon a sunburn begins depends on: 

• Your skin type
• The sun's intensity
• How long you're exposed to the sun

Signs of Sunburn :

When you get a sunburn, your skin turns red and hurts. If the burn is severe, you can develop swelling and sunburn blisters. You may even feel like you have the flu ..feverish, with chills, nausea .. Headache .. and Weakness.

A few days later, your skin will start peeling and  itching as your body tries to rid itself of sun-damaged cells.

Sunburn Relief : 

Compresses. 

Apply cold compresses to your skin or take a cool bath to soothe the burn.

Creams or gels. 

To take the sting out of your sunburn, gently rub on a cream or gel containing ingredients such as:

• Menthol
• Camphor
• Aloe

Analgesics :

Stay hydrated. 

Drink plenty of water and other fluids so that you don't become dehydrated.

Avoid the sun. 

Until your sunburn heals, stay out of the sun.

Get to Your Doctor when : 

• Fever of 102 degrees or higher
• Chills
• Severe pain
• Sunburn  blisters that cover 20% or more of your body
• Dry Mouth thirst, reduced urination, dizziness and fatigue which are signs of dehydration 

Preventing Sunburn : 

Use SunScreen

 Cover any exposed areas of skin liberally with at least 1 ounce of broad- spectrum  sunscreen That means sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Follow these tips for applying sunscreen:

• Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outside.
• Use sunscreen even on overcast days because UV rays can penetrate clouds.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours -- or more often if you're  sweating heavily or swimming

TANNING : 

Suntans which naturally develop in some individuals as a protective mechanism against the sun, are viewed by most in the Western world as desirable. This has led to an overall increase in exposure to UV radiation from both the natural sun and tanning , lamps . Suntans can provide a modest  sun protecting factor (SPF) of 3, meaning that tanned skin would tolerate up to three times the UV exposure as pale skin. 

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