Give Yourself Some Exposure: A Little Sun Is A Good Thing!

We've become a sunphobic society.  Yet all living things – plants, animals, and people – need at least a little sunshine in order to survive and thrive.  Certainly, overexposure to the sun is the single most damaging factor to your skin.  It's not just a sunburn, but also a suntan (and the associated skin dehydration) that represent damage to your skin, and that damage is cumulative over a lifetime.

Whenever any of us travel to a sunny tropical locale, go hiking in open terrain, enjoy water skiing on a beautiful lake, venture to the bright, warm Mediterranean, or even luxuriate in a hotel swimming pool, we tend to overdo our exposure to the sun's comforting rays . . . and ultimately pay the price with environmentally damaged, prematurely-aged, dry, leathery skin.  

Yet sunshine feels so good on your skin and helps your body absorb calcium by causing your skin to produce part of the vitamin D complex that strengthens bones.  Sun exposure also aids in healing eczema, acne, psoriasis, and poison ivy rash; helps reduce stress and blood pressure; balances hormone levels; and increases the body's production of feel-good serotonin.

Thirty to 45 minutes of daily unprotected exposure to sunlight in the early morning before 9:00 AM or very late afternoon, after 4:30 or 5:00 PM, can help preserve your sanity and the health of your bones and skin.  If you live in the north, where sunshine is sometimes limited in the winter and temperatures can be quite cold, try to expose your face and hands for at least 15 minutes daily.  Many health professionals have observed a rise in the occurrence of osteoporosis, spontaneous fractures of the small bones of the feet, vitamin D deficiencies, skin diseases, mood imbalances, and SAD (seasonal affective disorder) not only in this country, but also globally because our lives are increasingly sedentary and spent indoors, with long car commutes between work and home.  Increasing our sun exposure slightly can affect the incidence of these conditions.

Sun exposure is a subject of much debate, however, and if your health professional or dermatologist has advised that you avoid the sun at all costs due to various health concerns, then your body will require other sources of vitamin D.  This essential nutrient can be found in egg yolks; fish liver oil; vitamin D-supplemented soy or rice milk; raw, grass-fed cow or goat milk; organic organ meats; salmon, sardines, and herring.

Brief, unprotected sun exposure may be beneficial, but when you intend to spend a longer period of time in the sun, it's important to apply sunscreen prior to exposure, wear protective clothing, and use "common sun sense":  Don't stay in the sun for hours-on-end with no protection of any kind or without reapplying sunscreen regularly, and avoid exposure during the middle of the day, when the sun's rays are at their strongest.  These strategies will help prevent premature aging, uneven skin tone and blotching, and exposure that may cause skin cancer.

Though it's important to wear sunscreen, the chemicals in most commercial products can be very irritating to many wearers, especially those who exercise outdoors.  Sunscreens can sting if they drip into your eyes or nose and can cause the development of skin rashes when their chemical base mixes with sweat.  Natural sunscreens, such as those containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, provide a physical, sun-reflective barrier; offer a relatively high SPF; and greatly reduce or eliminate irritation.  Natural oil blends containing jojoba, neem, or sesame oil are beneficial skin emollients and conditioners that also provide a low natural SPF.

As for tanning, if you must have a deep, golden tan, then try a self-tanning lotion, spray, or cream available in drug and department stores.  Follow the directions carefully, do a skin patch test, and take the time to apply an even layer.  The results are quite realistic if the product is applied correctly.

Observing "common sun sense" beginning in your teen years or early twenties can virtually stop the visible aging clock.  But, at any age, it's never too late to begin to care for your skin and health in the sun.

When you're traveling . . . sight-seeing, outdoor exercise, and sports can be fun, and at times, even exhilarating – but remember:  It doesn't have to come at the expense of your skin's health.  So if you enjoy the great outdoors or even simply dining at a sunny, sidewalk cafe, keep Mother Nature's sun, heat, salt, drying wind, cold, or arid climate at bay by always drinking plenty of water and wearing your "shield" of moisturizers, natural sunscreens, protective clothing, and sunglasses!

(Portions of this article adapted from "Organic Body Care Recipes", 2007, Storey Publishing,  by Stephanie Tourles)

Bio:    Stephanie Tourles is a licensed holistic esthetician in both Massachusetts and Maine with over 20 years experience.  Trained in western-style herbalism and Ayurveda, she specializes in the use of herbs as they pertain to skin, hair, nail, foot, and "comfort / health" care and regularly creates herbal cosmetics and treatments for her clients, family, and friends.  She is also a certified aromatherapist, with extensive training in the nutritional sciences, and is the author of several books on natural body care, holistic health, nutrition, and wellness.  Stephanie resides in Orland, Maine with her husband and pets, and spends her spare time hiking, organic gardening, and practicing yoga.

Web links to purchase my books:

www.amazon.com
www.herbalsoapandskincare.com

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