Days in the sun

In Malaysia, where it is always warm and the sun shines brightly we must be careful of sun damage caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

While our skin needs sunlight to make vitamin D, we may only need 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine on our skin a few times a week to make sufficient amounts of vitamin D.

Even in this haze and on cloudy days, UV rays still shine through and the period of strongest UV radiation is from 10 AM till 4 PM.

UV rays is divided mainly into UVA and UVB wavelengths. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin is responsible for premature ageing of skin.

UVB causes the sunburn that we actually see and feel, inducing the skin to darken into a tan.

The Aussie health campaign for going into the sun, “slip, slap, slop” makes it easy to remember.

The advice is to;

• slip on a shirt,

• slap on a hat,

• slop on sunscreen.

For sunscreen, use one that has a SPF of 50.

Use a broad spectrum sunscreen as this indicates that it screens out both UVA and UVB rays.

Reapply every few hours as sweat will wash away the sunscreen.

When you do not wear sunscreen, you will feel an uncomfortable, burning sensation wherever your skin is exposed to the sun, and you will get sunburn later on.

A good sunscreen will give you protection you can feel.

Staying in the shade is also advised.

Or just carry your own shade in an umbrella.

Another important part to shield from the sun is your eyes.

Long-term exposure to sunlight increases the risk of a type of cataract and is also linked to pterygia (a growth on the surface of the eye).

Wear a pair of sunglasses that are labelled with the ”CE” mark or are certified with 99% or 100% UV resistance. It is important that the sunglasses are wide enough to wrap around the face.

To keep your skin feeling good after a day under the sun, cool down and moisturise it with;

• After-sun products,

• Mineral water sprays,

• Aloe vera gel,

• Calamine lotion.

Apart from things to apply on your skin, there are nutrients you can eat as well to protect your skin.

Vitamin C and vitamin E are antioxidants that protects yourself from free radical damage.

Lutein and zeaxanthin found in fruits and vegetables also protect the body from the damaging effects of free radical and the eyes from age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

With all this, we can go out and enjoy a lovely, sunny day with no worries.