DANGER OF SUMMER HEAT
PART III
Adem Zalihić, MD, MD
Leather and sun
Ever since tanning became a status symbol, a sign of a healthy and beautiful body, in the early 1970s, medical experts have regularly warned of the dangers of enjoying the sun. However, despite constant warnings, many people continue to be exposed to the sun uncontrollably, which leads to irreparable damage to the skin.
Excessive exposure to the sun and its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays has been known for years as one of the leading causes of skin cancer and other diseases.
Global warming, the appearance of ozone holes and increased solar radiation additionally contribute to skin damage by UV rays. Skin type should be taken into account first and foremost, which means that people with pale skin, very light eyes and red hair should be especially careful.
By acting on skin cells, UV rays can lead to the development of sun allergies, accelerated skin aging, loss of elasticity, and ultimately skin cancer. According to numerous studies, they are directly responsible for the development of the most serious type of skin cancer - melanoma. That is why people with a large number of young people must be especially careful when exposed to the sun. Skin damage begins with the first exposure to the sun and is cumulative in nature, so it is never early enough to protect a child from the negative effects of sunlight. Medical research confirms that protecting children from the sun is extremely important, given that there is a link between excessive sun exposure in childhood and the development of skin tumors in adults, especially cancer but also malignant melanoma of the skin.
In addition to the harmful effects of the sun on our skin, it is worth mentioning its positive effects on the body. Under the influence of the sun's rays, the necessary vitamin D is created in our body, and it also affects the mood because it activates the synthesis of serotonin, the hormone of pleasure and mood. UV radiation as an artificial source of radiation is used in the therapy (phototherapy) of various skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact allergic dermatitis and in combination with some drugs for the treatment of certain types of skin lymphomas. So, UV radiation can be helpful if we know how to manage it and if we also follow the rules imposed by sun exposure.
