Sunshine after the rain

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richarde3's picture

As I sit here in Devon it's pouring with rain. It's been raining pretty much for the whole summer so far. It's ironic really as I've just written a piece for Cancerbackup's information website about the website SunSmart, which is the UK's national skin cancer prevention campaign.

A lot of us like to have a tan. I for one feel 'better' when I have a 'healthy glow' and the sun is shining. A lot of us also know that tanning can be bad for the skin and that exposure to UV light is the main cause of skin cancer. Less of us know that we actually need some UV exposure as it gives us vitamin D, which is needed to maintain healthy bones. It can all be a bit confusing - how much sun exposure is good - how much is bad?

The SunSmart website is a great place to get all the information you could want about skin care in the sun. It covers pretty much every angle including; the use of sunbeds, knowing your risk, symptoms to look out for and making sure we get enough UV exposure to top up our levels of vitamin D.  The site is easy to read and navigate through. It is provided by Cancer Research UK, and just one of their very comprehensive topics.

If you do get to see the sun this summer - take care. If not, let's hope that too much rain is never found to be harmful!

Tags:

Exposure

Ruthless's picture
Submitted by Ruthless on Mon, 18/08/2008 - 09:35.

Hello

I go out every day for a long walk (before dawn in winter), but I think I get some vitamin D, which unless I am wrong, you can get from daylight, not just exposure to the sun. A little sun on the back of your hands and your face, more or less daily all the year round ought, I would think supply one's Vitamin D needs.

I have had too much sun, but more by accident than design. Gardening with my back to the sun, erecting a frame tent before doing an archaeological dig, and just walking about in the sun. So silly of me, but now I cover up.

I don't really trust sun screens except for their moisturising ability, and you can get that from much cheaper creams.

A damp used teabag is pretty useful for any burn you might have, after a day out. The tannin content is what cools the skin, and maybe stops the burning.