Tanning – benefit or harm? Let's dot the i's

Tanning – benefit or harm? Let's dot all the i's.

With the onset of warm days, many are drawn to the shore of a lake or river under the gentle rays of the sun. You will rarely meet a person who would not do such a pleasant thing in the summer as sunbathing. But how safe is it?

Everyone chooses the degree of tanning for themselves: for some, a light golden hue is enough, while others will fry diligently until they acquire a lasting bronze color from head to toe. Very often, in our understanding, a tan becomes synonymous with a healthy, rested (just returned from a resort) and beautiful person, while the disadvantages that accompany it are forgotten. But first, let's remember the positive effects of ultraviolet rays on the human body.

Firstly, under their influence, vitamin D is synthesized in human skin, which promotes the mineral metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Secondly, ultraviolet irradiation is used to treat certain skin diseases. Thirdly, ultraviolet rays increase the skin's resistance to the action of microbes, and also promote the rapid healing of ulcers and wounds.

However, we should not forget about the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the human body. Let's take a closer look at the mechanism of tan formation itself. In response to exposure to sunlight, a special pigment, melanin, is deposited in the skin. A tan appears no earlier than 48 hours after exposure to the sun; it reaches its maximum after seven days. The sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation depends on many factors, for example, on the activity of the pituitary gland, the state of the adrenal glands, the liver, the color of the eyes, and what medications and cosmetics for external use you use. For example, perfumes and lotions containing bergamot oil may increase skin sensitivity to light. At the same time, it is sometimes very easy to miss the moment when the reaction to light from normal becomes pathological. For example, dermatomyositis can begin with solar erythema of the face, lupus erythematosus - with redness of the skin of the nose or the appearance of scales on the lower lip, and porphyria cutanea tarda manifests itself at first only as increased tenderness of the skin of the hands or single blisters on open areas of the skin.

Therefore, tanning has both positive and negative consequences for our health. On the one hand, ultraviolet rays promote the production of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and the immune system. On the other hand, excessive UV exposure can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, pigmentation, and also increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

In addition, tanning can be especially dangerous for people with skin phototypes I and II (fair and light-medium), as well as for children and the elderly. These populations have a higher sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and should therefore be especially careful about tanning.

To enjoy the sun's rays and benefit from tanning, you need to take certain precautions. You should never be in the sun without sunscreen with high UV protection, and use sunscreen that is appropriate for your skin type. It is also recommended to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 4pm when UV rays are most active.

In conclusion, tanning can be both beneficial and harmful to health, and it all depends on how we treat the sun and how we take precautions. Don't forget that the skin is our largest organ and taking care of its health should be a priority for all of us.