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How to protect yourself from the sun in summer

23 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

With the arrival of summer and beautiful days, we get more and more exposure to the sun. Relaxation, vacations, and tanning, but also erythema, sunburn, and aging skin. At this point the question arises whether the sun is really good for health.

While it promotes vitamin D synthesis, fixes calcium in bones, fights bacteria and depression, massive sun exposure without protection can cause permanent damage to our skin. When we expose ourselves to the sun, the skin absorbs some of the sun’s rays, initiating a chemical reaction that develops so that the deep layers of the skin are protected. The moment the skin is in direct contact with the sun, melanocytes are stimulated to produce more melanin and thus we get a tan. Tanning, then, is a kind of self-defense that the skin implements to protect itself from the sun, especially from ultraviolet rays, which are the most harmful to our skin.

The latter are divided into UVA rays, which stimulate tanning but also cause skin aging and skin cancers; UVB rays, which promote fast tanning and vitamin D synthesis but cause sunburn and erythema; and UVC rays, which fortunately do not reach Earth because they are stopped by the ozone layer. This radiation damages the skin and DNA, also increasing the risk of cancer.

How to protect yourself from the sun?

The areas of the body most at risk are definitely the face, arms and upper shoulders, as these are the most exposed to the sun. For those with a fair complexion and blue or green eyes, direct exposure to the sun’s rays should be 5-10 minutes; for those with a dark complexion and dark hair and eyes, however, it should be a maximum of 45 minutes. Protective creams are a good way to protect yourself from ultraviolet rays, and there are several types on the market today. Obviously, the higher the protection factor, the lower the risk of getting burned. It is recommended, therefore, that you always buy a sunscreen with a higher index of protection than is indicated for your skin type; in fact, these creams are laboratory tested on larger quantities than are, then, actually used in the sun. Another key thing is to reapply the cream every time you expose yourself to the sun, and when you get home, wash your skin thoroughly, removing any residue, and apply an after-sun product that has soothing and moisturizing properties.

One of the most important things, of course, is to avoid the hottest hours of the day, especially when taking children to the beach. It is advisable that these get as little sun as possible so bring them early in the morning from 7:30 to 9:00 am and in the afternoon from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Also, it is advisable to drink a lot and protect yourself even if there are clouds or you are under an umbrella.

Limit skin damage by sunbathing every other day and tanning more

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

While the tan summer is fading with November rains, comes a study that can help you make the most of exposure to the rays of the sun. We know that this is a difficult balancing act: too much sun can lead to skin cancer, too little to the Vitamin D deficiency and to depression; aesthetic considerations can further complicate matters for those who like to have tanned skin.

Sunstroke is the skin’s response to stress involving inflammation, cell proliferation, and repair of DNA damaged by ultraviolet radiation. This painful reaction can begin within minutes of cellular damage, while the production of dark pigmented melanin, which serves to protect against subsequent damaging attacks, takes hours or days.

The discovery of Carmit Levy of Tel Aviv University is that our skin’s response to the sun’s rays works on a 48-hour cycle.

“The results,” Levy said in a note, “were surprising: we expected a synchronization on a daily basis of the cell’s protective cycles.

The study was initially done on laboratory mice: those that were subjected to a cycle of exposure every two days developed darker-colored epidermal cells than those exposed every day or every three days, and more importantly, they did less damage to DNA.

The result was later confirmed for human skin as well. In both mice and humans, it is the MITF (short for melanogenesis associated transcription factor) protein that controls melanin production and its diffusion into neighboring cells, where it acts as a kind of microscopic sunshade. In both models, Levy found that MITF worked most effectively with exposure every 48 hours.

It is difficult to speculate why such a rhythm was formed in the human body, given that our ancestors exposed themselves to the sun every day, but Levy speculated that there is a connection with vitamin D produced by the skin, which is stable in the blood for 48 hours after sun exposure.

Malcov-Brog H, Alpert A, Golan T, Khaled M, Shen-Orr A, Levy C. UV-Protection Timer Controls Linkage between Stress and Pigmentation Skin Protection Systems. Molecular Cell Oct 25, 2018.

Fruits, vegetables and vitamin D: perfect tan and well-being

17 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

Every year, you know, before summer even arrives you try to get to the beach with a perfect tan. Lamps, special oils and creams are used, all to achieve the much-desired amber color that gives our skin an exotic and fascinating touch. However, not many people know that in order to achieve the tan we have always dreamed of, whatwe eat is crucial. Some foods in fact promote the production of
melanin, the substance responsible for making our skin tan. In addition to giving our skin a much sought-after coloration, the sun is also essential for the synthesis of vitamin D, a very important element for the well-being of our body.

Recommended foods

Of all the foods that promote melanin production, first among them are definitely carrots, the “tan queens.” In fact, carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is responsible for activating melanin. Suffice it to say that in just 100 grams of carrot pulp there are 1,200 micrograms of vitamin A, more than twice the amount found in any other food. Spinach, radicchio and apricots follow in the next places in the ranking. Other fruits that promote tanning include melons, peaches, watermelons and cherries. While instead among vegetables, lettuce, celery peppers and tomatoes are the most suitable. Most of these foods, distinguished by their red/orange color, contain beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.

The benefits of the sun

In addition to tanning, the sun turns out to be really very important for the production of vitamin D, an essential substance for our bodies. It is in fact synthesized as a result of exposure to the sun’s rays, and is a valuable ally for the well-being of young and old alike. First of all, vitamin D prevents rickets as it strengthens bone structure, improves the immune system making it more effective, prevents diabetes, and seems to have a positive impact on neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer”s). In addition, the relationship between vitamin D and cancer is being investigated. Indeed, it would appear that vitamin D has a preventive and counterproductive function for colon cancer. For these reasons, it is warmly recommended to take vitamin D, especially in the winter months where exposure to the sun is certainly less than in the summer months, either through physician-suggested supplements or through diet. In fact, it is possible to find vitamin D in milk, salmon, tuna, eggs and cheese.

The real source of vitamin D, however, as already mentioned, is the sun, which is therefore useful not only in achieving the tan we have always wanted (thanks in part to the help of the foods mentioned above) but also in promoting the synthesis of this valuable substance that is indispensable for our health.