With the arrival of the warm season, we all find ourselves more exposed to the sun’s rays, some for outdoor activities, some for the desire for tanned skin: it is useless to deny that many of us like the color of our skin kissed by the sun, perhaps a beautiful golden shade.
However, it is better to know the risks and get some valuable tips to get the perfect tan safely. Besides, you can use CBD oils to maximize your skincare and get the best CBD products online to add to your creams and after-sun lotions. When you are looking for CBD products, make sure the shops are legal shops, for instance, all the products of Justbob are legal and you can find all the information you need on their blog.
WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY ABOUT TANNING AND SUNBURN?
Inadequate sun exposure is a potential danger because it can damage cells’ DNA, triggering cancer processes. It is now known that our skin is capable of memorising sunburns, particularly those caused by the sun in childhood and adolescence; this increases the risk of related pathologies, such as premature photoaging and skin tumours.
In fact, we hear more and more about melanoma. A very recent study published in the scientific journal “Jama” states that in people at risk who regularly use sunscreen, the appearance of melanoma has decreased by 27%.
Skin cancer, melanoma … words that are scary but that we hear often in recent years. Until a few years ago, melanoma was considered a rare disease; currently, it has a growing incidence and is one of the primary tumours that arise at a young age.
In particular, it is alarming how young people ignore the risk factors associated with this pathology. In fact, adolescents tend to expose themselves to the sun and tanning lamps in an absolutely indiscriminate way, without using sunscreen or taking the necessary precautions to avoid sunburn. Yet sunburn, when suffered at a young age, is a predisposing factor to the disease. Skin tumours, which have an evident relationship with individual habits, are sensitive to preventive behaviours that should be encouraged by sensitising adolescents and parents of young children as much as possible.
WHAT IS A MELANOMA?
Melanoma is a malignant skin tumour visible to the naked eye. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells found in the deep layers of the skin that produce melanin ( which we all know as responsible for tanning), undergo a malignant transformation. It originates from an existing mole that changes shape or colour or from the appearance of a new mole on intact skin.
The characteristics for the control of moles, helpful in indicating the onset of melanoma, are summarised in the acronym ABCDE:
- A for Asymmetry in shape (a benign mole is generally circular or rounded, melanoma is more irregular);
- B as in irregular and indistinct Borders/edges;
- C as in variable Color (i.e. with different shades within the same mole);
- D as in increasing Dimensions, both in width and thickness;
- E is the Evolution of the mole, which, in a relatively short time, shows changes in appearance.
Other factors that should raise suspicion are the presence of a mole associated with itching or bleeding, a growing pigmented or achromic skin lesion, a new spot on a nail or a growing subungual lesion.
INCIDENCE
In recent years, we have seen growth at very high rates: think that the number of skin cancer diagnoses in Italy has doubled over fifteen years and is increasing sharply among young people. In fact, 20% of new cases are found in patients under 40.
HOW TO GET A TAN WITHOUT SUNBURN!
- Pay attention to the SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which is the best-known indicator for the effectiveness of sunscreen against UVB rays. It is a factor for multiplying the exposure time: the numbers next to the wording SFP indicate the time in which it is possible to expose yourself to the sun without getting burned. To calculate the skin protection factor, the redness times of skin protected by sunscreens and unprotected skin are compared. Remember that every 2 or 3 hours and every time you get wet, the cream should be reapplied without forgetting that UV rays are not entirely shielded by the umbrella or by cloudy skies.
- Protect yourself: Wear a hat, sunglasses, and light clothing; use natural shade, and protect yourself with umbrellas or other things.
- No rush: the body needs time to produce melanin, so it is better to expose yourself gradually and never continuously.
- Attention to children: The little ones need more attention. Children are more exposed to the risks of the sun, as their skin is particularly delicate, and any damage caused by ultraviolet rays has more time to manifest itself in the following years. Newborns up to 12 months of age should never be exposed to direct sunlight; it is better to keep them in the shade!
If you are out walking, whether on the beach or in the city, protect them with sunscreen because UV rays pass through the fabrics of umbrellas or strollers.
- Avoid exposure during the central hours of the day (11-16) and consult the website on heat waves and the ultraviolet radiation index bulletin on the regional website.
- Pay attention to areas such as the nose, lips, ears, neck, shoulders and scalp, as these are particularly exposed areas and susceptible to sunburn.
- I prefer a diet rich in vitamins A, C, E, and coenzyme Q (for example, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, carrots, apricots, oily fish, and dried fruit).
- Avoid artificial tanning (sunbeds and UVA lamps), which, moreover, ages the skin prematurely.
