Do You Know the Sun's Hidden Dangers? - By: Stanley Lewis

Sun! Sun! The beautiful warm rays from the sun are so welcome after cloudy days or cool winter months, but those lovely, shimmering rays of light have many hidden dangers. The UV (or ultraviolet) light causes problems for children and adults, and often we are unaware of the risk we are taking when we venture outdoors without the proper types of protection.

Perhaps the most dangerous condition that is linked to sun exposure is skin cancers. Melanomas and basal cell carcinoma are two types of cancers that are often caused by the sun. These skin conditions can take years to appear but the link between skin cancer and the sun can generally be traced back to childhood. Sun exposure has effects that are immediate as well as cumulative, which means that the damage and destruction do not just disappear once the redness is gone.

UV light is responsible for vision changes and can ruin the retinas in children and adults. Some people have even developed brown spots that are noticeable on the whites of their eyes. These are harmless but they are permanent and can not be covered up. The reflective glare from the sun is at its worst when you visit the beach. The sunlight intensifies its effects when it bounces off the surface of the water or is reflected by the snow white sands of the shoreline. This is why everyone needs to protect their eyes from UV rays when they are spending time outdoors. A good pair of sunglasses with a high uv factor and that comply to a good AS rating or equivalent standard should be used especially children.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both caused by the sun. When a person is out in the warm sun for long periods of time they can get overheated and dehydrated. Children and the elderly are both at greater risk for these problems, but all ages can be affected if proper precautions are not observed.
Freckles, age spots and other skin discolorations are frequently the result of sun exposure. Even when the sun was not responsible for the initial skin disorder the UV light it emits may make the situation worse. For instance doctors know that hormones are to blame for a skin condition in many women known as melasma. This is when brown, patchy discoloration suddenly appear on the face and neck. Although hormones are the main culprit the sun can deepen the coloring and then even laser therapy and skin lighteners may be ineffective at restoring your natural skin tone.

If you care about your appearance then you should realize that the sun is also the main cause for premature aging of the skin. The hot rays deplete necessary moisture from your skin and destroy cells on the surface and this destruction extends into the deeper levels of your skin as well. Those fine lines and wrinkles that are so frustrating to deal with can often be avoided if people will just be wary of the dangers posed by the sunlight.

Tanning beds are no exception and the UV light that you expose your body to will eventually result in leathery, dry skin on your face and body. If you let your young children play in the sun without proper skin protection the results may not be apparent for a few years but if the damages to the skin occur frequently their skin will also show signs of aging and wear even when they are just young adults.

About the Author

Article for a uk based specialist online childrens uv sun protective swimwear shop selling childrens sun protection swimwear and other uv sun protection products.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Stanley-Lewis/54651

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