Sunburn is Summer’s Tan Overload!

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

 

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. For medical professionals sunburn is reddening of the skin that occurs after you are exposed to the sun or other ultraviolet light. In my own words sunburn is SUMMER’S TAN OVERLOAD!. Well I think that its a good way to name it as such as if this was some big bright machine giving you loads and loads of tan, only it cant turn off unless its time to shut down so you got all those sunburny pain and the interesting skin peeling after a few days. See I realized that I still look good even when i got burned by the sun. Kidding. Im fair skinned thats why I get easily burned by the sun. 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

This information tells us that it is better if u buy a UVB lotion than a UVA because your skin will get protected!. Also UVB is not that bad at all it stimulates the production of Vitamin D in our bodies. We all know that vitamin D is good for our body for a lot of reasons such as the protection from rickets and osteomalacia, its role in the formation and maintenance of strong and healthy bones and its role in aiding calcium absorption.

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? I explained this in my Biology oral report and I got a good grade for that!. Anyways we get tanned because

 

1. When we are exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun or from other sources our skin’s melanocytes are triggered to produce melanin pigment as a reaction to those UV rays.

 

-First of all our pitiutary gland detects lights which stimulates the melanocyte-stimulating hormone. MSH then sends a message to the melanocytes found in the epidermis of the skin to produce the black pigment called melanin.

 

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

 

3. Too much melanin production results to a tan!

 

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.

Signs of Sunburn:

• Irritation of the skin

• prickling sensation

• skin feels hot

• skin is noticeably red

• skin feels tight, dry and swollen

• hypersensitive to touch

• wrinkling

• leathery texture

• peeling

Tips on preventing sunburn while outdoors

1. Dont forget your Sunblocks or Sunscreens with an SPF of at least 20.
   

2. Wear a hat, preferably wide brimmed. Dont forget UV glasses too. Bring umbrella all the time because the sun is not friendly nowadays.

3. When climbing or trekking, cover exposed areas of the skin with long sleeved shirts and pants. 

4. Stay away from too much sun, especially between 10am to 4pm.

5. Remember that UV rays get reflected by sand, water and concrete so stay away from them unless you intend to enjoy seeing yourself burned.

 Tips for Sunburn Relief

• Take a cool shower!.  

• Apply Aloe Vera to the affected area. Aloe vera is a home remedy for sunburns which is actually effective because of its soothing and healing properties.

• According to research do away with products that has benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (like Vaseline).

• Increase oral fluid intake. Hydrate your skin.

• Try adding 1/2 cup baking soda to a tepid bath and soak yourself. Airdry for better relief. You’ll see.

• Take aspirin or ibufropen for pain relief.