5 Reasons The Sun Isn’t Your Friend

As summer approaches, we can start to revel in the promise of the sun. Sunshine just makes us happier, and it’s natural to want to enjoy it. But like everything else out there, too much of a good thing isn’t good at all. It’s fine to enjoy the sun, but in moderation. These 5 reasons why the sun isn’t your friend is a good reminder why you will want to take care this summer season.

Melanoma

One of the most important reasons the sun isn’t your friend is because it all too often leads to cancer. Melanoma manifests itself in the skin and repeated sun exposure can greatly increase your odds of developing it. The good thing is that early detection can help fight this cancer, but it can also have devastating and fatal consequences.

Older appearance

Unfortunately, repeated sun exposure can leave skin looking tired and older. Skin can start to sag, and wrinkles become more prominent. You can have the women of the same age next to each other and it can quickly become evident who had more exposure to the sun than the others.

Sun spots

Don’t confuse freckles with sun spots. While freckles often become more prominent with exposure to the sun, sun spots are larger skin pigmentation areas that can start to take over more and more skin surface. You’ll want to be particularly careful with sun spots because they can mask the signs of developing melanoma. If you’re at all worried about sun spots, be sure to talk with a medical professional.

Dehydration

The more exposure to the sun you have, the more dehydrated you can become. If you’re not drinking enough water, your body can quickly start to shut down. While dehydration can start as a simple case of being tired, it can quickly lead to more serious complications such as fainting. If you plan on being in the sun, or any warm weather, always have a bottle of water on hand. Keep sipping throughout the day so that your body has a constant supply of water. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s always a good idea to keep taking sips.

Burns

A tan is a mild form of a sunburn and longer exposure will result in more serious burns. First degree burns, such as sunburns, are an all too common occurrence in warm weather. The problem with a burn is that you often don’t even realize it is happening until it is too late. Apply plenty of sunscreen, and have another person apply to hard to reach places like your back so that your whole body is protected. However, it’s always best to seek out shade as this will greatly lessen the chances of a sunburn.