Sun exposure for a period longer than 1 hour or between 10 am and 4 pm can cause harm to the skin, such as burns, dehydration and risk of skin cancer.
This happens due to the presence of IR and UV radiation emitted by the sun, which, when in excess, cause heating and damage to the skin layers.
Thus, the main effects of excess sun exposure are:
- Increased risk of skin cancer, which can be localized or malignant, such as melanoma; Burns, caused by the heating of the skin, which can be red, irritated and with injuries; Skin aging, which is caused by exposure to the sun's UV rays for long periods and for many years; Spots on the skin, which may be dark, in the form of freckles, lumps or which worsen the appearance of scars; Reduced immunity is caused by overexposure to the sun for many hours and without protection, which can make a person more susceptible to diseases such as flu and colds, for example. Allergic reactions, with hives or reactions in products, such as perfumes, cosmetics and lemon, for example, causing redness and local irritation; Damage to the eyes, such as irritation and cataracts, due to injuries caused to the eyes by excessive sun rays; Dehydration, caused by the loss of water from the body due to heat. Reaction to drugs, which form dark spots due to the interaction between the active principle of drugs such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, for example; It can reactivate the herpes virus in people who already have this disease, also due to changes in immunity.
Although sunbathing correctly is good for your health, like increasing vitamin D and improving your mood, these problems happen due to excessive sun exposure or at times when the sun is very intense.
How to protect yourself
To avoid the harmful effects of the sun on the body, it is recommended to follow some guidelines, such as sunbathing before 10 am and after 4 pm, not taking more than 30 minutes of sun a day if the skin is clear and 60 minutes if the skin is a darker shade.
The use of sunscreen, SPF at least 15, for about 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, and replenishing after contact with water or every 2 h, in addition to being under the umbrella in the hottest hours, helps decreasing exposure to sunlight.
In addition, the use of hats and caps are a great way to avoid sun contact with the scalp and face, regions that are more sensitive. It is also important to wear quality sunglasses, which are able to protect your eyes from UV rays.
In this way, one can avoid many diseases caused by excessive sun. Find out which is the best protector for your skin and how to use it.
