So to maintain the healthy, youthful glow of one's skin, it is essential to understand the bad effects of the sun's ultraviolet or UV rays.

Effects Of Sun Rays

UV Rays

The UV-A and UV-B rays can penetrate through clouds, thick layers of glass, a meter of water, and the layers of the skin. UV-B makes the top layers of skin to release chemicals that permit the expansion of blood vessels and cause some fluid to leak, resulting to inflammation, pain and redness known as sunburn.

Approximately in 15 minutes the damage can occur and can continue to worsen for up to 72 hours after sun exposure. In this process, the damaged skin cells will die and shed off in sheets or pictures. Peeling is the process in which the body disposes of dead skin cells.

UV-A rays are the rays that get into the deeper skin layers. UV-A rays affect the living skin cells under the surface of the skin. Along with long-term damage such as sagging, wrinkles and discoloration, these rays also give way for the early stages of skin cancer.

The UV rays act like chain saws, shredding deep into the DNA found within the cell nuclei. In shortest period possible, the repair enzymes within the cell act by countering the damage done on the DNA chain.

This damage and repair happens at the same time and constantly with the tempo of the repair keeping up with the extent of damage being caused. But just like any other mechanism within the body, these repair enzymes have their limits and reaches the point that they can no longer work.

The enzymes cannot cope when the damage is too much. This results in a dismantled DNA structure, which changes the coding and leads to the abnormality of skin cells or what is termed as mutation.

This is the first stage of the formation of cancer cells. UV-rays also help in the formation of super-oxides, which are highly toxic chemicals that speeds up skin cell ageing.

People Who Are At Greater Risk To Skin Cancer

People who have already experienced three or more bad cases of sunburn before reaching the age of twenty and regular sunbathers who always crave for an instant tan have greater risks of acquiring the dreaded skin disease known as melanoma.

Cricketers, farmers, golf players and others, who have long exposure to the sun, have more tendencies to have milder forms of skin cancer.

Skin Care Tips

1. Vitamin D

Studies on skin care show that Vitamin D, with the help of exposure to sunlight, is what can help the body fight against skin cancer.

2. Sunscreen Lotions

It is recommended not to exposure to sunlight without sunscreen for more than 10 to 15 minutes at noon, when the sun is at its strongest.

3. Sun Protection Factor

It is recommended to use a sunscreen with an SPF or sun protection of 15 or higher.

4. Sensitive skin

It is also recommended to use a sunscreen lotion with SPF of 30 or stronger for people with sensitive skin and the older adults because their skin tends to burn more easily. People with allergies or sensitive skin should choose skin care products that are free of chemicals, dyes, preservatives, and alcohol.

5. Zinc Or Titanium Oxide

It is good to use a stronger sunscreen like zinc or titanium oxide when the sun exposure is high, as it will completely stop sunlight from reaching the skin.

6. Sunscreen Application

Sunscreen should be applied about half an hour before getting exposed into the sun and within every few hours reapplication should be done.

7. During Swimming

It is recommended to use water resistant sunscreen lotion to avoid sunburns during swimming as 98% of the sun's rays can pass through water.