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No Sun Tanned Skin For Me -
Jean Shaw© -
www.bestorganicsforhealth.com
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I'm writing this article outside in the sunshine. Well, actually that's not completely
true.
I am outside and the sun is shining beautifully but I'm sitting in the shade.
As much as I'd like to feel the heat of the sun on my exposed limbs my days of sunbathing
have gone -
Like many people I love to have a tan. It has always
made me feel healthier (and slimmer) somehow, and from my mid teens until my early
thirties I spent many a happy hour soaking up the sun's rays.
But not any more.
I
have done so much damage to my skin over the years that if I had one of those special
skin X-
When I was a teenager it was "cool" to have a tan although I don't suppose
that was the expression used in those days. It was just fashionable. I used to rush
home from work at lunchtime and don my bikini for almost my entire hour's lunch break.
I'd then dash back to work red faced but happy, pleased that I was gradually building
up a lovely tan to show off in my sleeveless, low cut tops and halter necks.
I sunbathed
in the middle of the day when the sun was at its hottest and not only did I not use
suntan lotion but coated myself in baby oil instead. I literally cooked myself.
Was
I stupid? -
As I got older my quest for an all year tan led me to sunbeds. For almost two years
I had one in my bedroom and used it regularly. There was no advice in those days
not to use one for more than a few days per year.
I religiously wore the thick black
goggles and timed the sessions but I certainly had more in a month than is now recommended
for a year.
Too late, the damage has been done and I'll be happier when I'm older
so I can grow into my skin!
My excuse for not taking better care is that I was simply
unaware of the dangers sun damage can do. However, in this day and age there is no
excuse for people to follow my example.
In almost every magazine and newspaper reference is made to the changes in the ozone
layer and the increasing strength of the sun. Yet still many people, particularly
men, seem to think that it is only when you go on holiday that you need to use sun
protection.
If you look at any construction site or road maintenance operation during
the summer you will see men with their shirts off, working in the heat of the day,
burning their backs, necks, heads and arms. Some even wear shorts with their heavy
duty boots.
How many, I wonder, wear sun protection and out of those who do, how
many actually renew it as the day goes on?
Like me in my younger days it still appears to be the belief if you work outside
then the tan will build up gradually and it will be okay. However, a tan is a sign
of DNA damage and as the saying goes, "There's no such thing as a safe tan".
A recent
survey (2007) revealed that ten percent of men don't even know solar radiation is
linked to skin cancer and two thirds of men rely on their wives to both buy and apply
sun protection for them.
I'm not sure if that's a macho thing or what, but skin cancer
is on the increase and in UK we have more cases than Australia. This is most likely
due to the awareness over there but 13.5 million men in UK don't use sun cream and
the more people burn the more risk there is.
Women are more likely to use sun protection
because of the fear of premature ageing, wrinkles and age spots but even then many
don't realise that it's not just necessary on hot sunny days.
You can't see or feel UV radiation and it can be equally as dangerous on cloudy days.
You need to protect against both UVA which are ageing and UVB which are burning.
As the summers get hotter and longer it is essential to protect your skin at all
times and you should use at least a sun protection factor 15 (SPF15).
Also take great
care of your eyes and make sure your sunglasses have UV protection otherwise you'll
magnify the sun's rays onto the delicate skin around your eyes.
There's no question
being in the sun gives you that feel good factor and wonderful natural Vitamin D.
However, limit your exposure and avoid the hottest times of the day when the sun
is at its highest otherwise you'll be like me and have to sit in the shade -
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Jean Shaw is the author of I'm Not Naughty -