Sunburn is Summer’s Tan Overload!

 

 

Mila Jovovich

Ultimate Summer Look

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I miss summer!. As I look at my darkened skin, i remember those precious moments in the water, on a surf board, waiting for the wave so I can try and knock myself off a surfboard. Honestly, this is a sport i would want to learn no matter what!. I loved it the first time i learned how to paddle and relax my muscles so I could go steady with the board. Argh, I so want to go surfing but I cant because first of all I dont have a surfboard yet and secondly there are no known surfing spots here in Davao, unless its their so called “season”. Anyways my new skin is tons darker than before and I am having a hard time getting my skin color back. I am using Avon’s skin whitening renewal lotion which purportedly will whiten my skin faster than any other brands. I hope this is true.

Anyways, my sunburn reminds me of the summer I had. Talking about sunburn, that is what you get if you travel without bringing your sunblock, your umbrella, sunglasses or any other accessories for skin’s protection. This is also the price for staying under the sun for long periods of time enjoying the beach and the waves.

Those who got tan can go out and stay longer under the sun not getting burned, or so some say. Thats why I think Id like to get a tan, say from San Diego tanning, or from Belo Medical, or from other tanning salons or whatever they call those tanning places. For protection and for people to stop commenting about how I look different. Anyhow i would like to share information about how tanning and sunburn works copied from my assignment in my Biology class last semester.

Sunlight comes in three forms:

1. infrared (heat),
2. visible light
3. ultraviolet

Ultraviolet light is classified into three categories:

• UVA/Ultraviolet A has a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm and is also called  long wave or black light - this is responsible for tanning. The UVA rays affects the skin’s inner layers.

• UVB/Ultraviolet B or middle wave(280 to 315 nm) - this causes sunburn or damage to the skin. The UVB rays affects the skin’s outer layers.

• UVC/Ultraviolet C or short wave(100 to 280 nm) this uv wave does not reach us

An intersting fact about UV rays is that it gets reflected in different types of surfaces.

Such as the sand, it reflects 20% of UVB rays thus you will most likely get sunburned when you stay long under the sun in a beach than when you are in the city.

Also snow reflects 90% of UV light which accounts for snow blindness or sever sunburns when overexposed.

Glass however absorbs UV light so its good if you had a glass house, that way you cant get hurt while basking under the sun. Actually most sunscreens use the same UV-absorbing properties as the glass.

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 Tanning - how do we get tanned?

 1. Ultraviolet radiation damages cellular consitituents. After 2 minutes of exposure to the sun, the UV rays start to damage cellular DNA of the cells in the Malphigian layer of the skin. This damage triggers the pituitary gland to release MSH or melanocy stimulating hormone. The MSH then travels back to the skin and activates the skin’s epithelial cells to create and release the black pigment known as ‘melanin’.

2. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation thus protecting the skin from too much damage.

3. Too much melanin production due to prolonged exposure to the sun results to a tan!

o0o

Sunburn however is a different matter.

Sunburn is the result of the skin’s overexposure to ultraviolet light, be it from the sun or from other ultraviolet light sources.The cells of the skin become inflamed due to overexposure to UV rays adnd the extent of the damage depends upon how long you exposed yourself and how hot the sun is. Also fair skinned individuals get easily burned, around or less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure and they get burned. Dark skinned individuals however will take a greater time under the sun before getting burned.