Have you ever spent much time having fun in the sun trying to get a deep and dark looking tan? Although the sun is beneficial to some extent as in increasing energy and metabolism, guarding off depression, and promoting immunity to prevent diseases, it also poses some detrimental risks that may outweigh the benefits. Learn how to protect yourself from the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.
The sun has ultraviolet A and B rays.These ultraviolet rays are the main cause of the most common form of skin cancer in the United States and in other parts of the world. Higher incidence of skin cancer is seen in young adults and increases with age. It is also more common in men than in women. Other risk factors include a personal history of skin cancer, family members that have been diagnosed, severe sunburns in childhood, fair skin that burns easily, living near the equator or in high altitude, having 50 moles or more, sun bathing, and the use of tanning beds. Skin cancer can be prevented by taking these sensible precautions:
o Limit the sun exposure during its peak hours of ultraviolet radiation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.