| Sunburn, Sun Protection | Experts now say that a tan, for so long thought to be healthy and attractive, is a sign of skin damage . We try here to explain how the sun affects our skin and offer some simple advice on sun protection. Sunburn is not just painful and unsightly. Even if the burnt skin heals quickly. some permanent damage may remain. Sunburn. like other kinds of over-exposure to the sun. leads to a greater risk of skin cancer later in life. |
None of us can stay young forever. But we can limit the cosmetic ageing of the skin caused by the sun. Many of the obvious signs of ageing on our faces and hands - the most exposed parts of the body - are due to sun damage. | Sun damage can be avoided. Experts believe that in four out of every five cases, skin cancer is a preventable disease. To look after your skin the golden rules are: |
Mild sunburn can be treated with antihistamine tablets or soothing creams. Choose a sunscreen with 5PF IS or above. Try not to rely on a sunscreen alone to protect your skin; you should still limit the time you spend in the sun. When using a sunscreen, spread liberally and re-apply often.. |
Without the sun life on earth could not exist. It gives us warmth, light and energy. Throughout history people have honoured the sun and today this worship takes a newform - having a tan. And yet we can have too much of a good thing. In recent years we have all become aware of the dark side of the sun - its potential to damage our skin permanently. |
Issues The increased blood supply to the burnt area also allows fluid to build up and the area becomes swollen. |
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Additional links http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/advice-and-prevention/sunburn/ http://www.wcas.nhs.uk/publications/leaflets/LP057.pdf http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-treat-sunburn.htm |
Like skin cancer, ageing of the skin results from over-exposure to the sun over many years. This can take several forms: - dryness - the outer layers of the skin thicken to protect it from the sun. The outer layers dry out more easily and the skin may look coarser or more leathery (orange peal effect)as a result. sagging - reduced elasticity leads to loose, flabby skin. Over the years cheeks, neck and eyelids can drop. Wrinkling - the sun’s radiation the elastic and supporting fibers damages the skin causing it to lose its natural elasticity Blemishes - In large part due to excessive melanin production over many years and are common in older people. They are being seen increasingly in younger people.
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Heat Stroke visit http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-heat-stroke.htm as it is likely the susceptible will suffer symptoms long before sunburn and a balanced view should be taken on providing shade, screening, ventilation and drinking fluids in light of exposure time. |
Skin cancer is increasing in the UK. The number of new cases registered every year has nearly doubled over the past twenty years. There are now over 40,000 new cases every year. (1996 Source)(more recent source required) |
| Yet skin cancer is mostly avoidable. Nearly all cases are caused by over-exposure to the sun. By taking just a little more care in the sun this summer we could help bring the rise in skin cancers to a halt in years to come. | Severe sunburn blistering may occur and may require painkillers or even hospital treatment. Sunburn is a clear sign of over-exposure to the sun. All kinds of over-exposure should be avoided if we want to reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life. |
Over the past forty years there has been a dramatic increase in skin cancer, now the second most common cancer in the country. | |
Cover up clothing is the best sunscreen. The more tightly-woven the cloth the better it is at blocking the sun's rays. A loose fit will help to keep you cool. Choose headgear to match - a wide-brimmed hat will help shade nose and ears, the most common sites for skin cancer. And don't forget sunglasses - those labelled B52724: 1987 will give good protection use a high-factor sunscreen |
The good news is that most of these are fully curable. But one type of skin cancer is more dangerous. Malignant melanoma spreads rapidly and can kill if not treated quickly. Particularly worrying is that melanoma is increasing more rapidly than all other types of skin cancer. And unlike many cancers, melanoma is not just a disease of middle age and later - nearly a quarter of cases are found in the under 40s. | Head for the shade around midday In the hours around midday the sun is at its highest in the sky. The sun's rays have least distance to travel through the atmosphere and burn times are shortest.Take care not to burn . |