PROTECT YOURSELF ALL YEAR
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
With summer officially coming to an end, a lot of us start to slack on applying our sunscreen daily.
DO NOT DO THIS!
9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the US every day and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime due to UV exposure.
This is easily preventable with proper sun protection. UVB photons are absorbed by the epidermis. Skin’s molecules begin to warp via chemical reactions, resulting in the development of sunspots, malasma and burns. UVA photons, on the other hand, penetrate deeper into the skin causing damage to elastin and collagen proteins, which are the two building blocks for smooth, firm skin. Over time, this results in the molecular breakdown and death of skin cells. Over exposure to UV radiation suppresses the skin’s natural defenses, affecting the overall functioning of the body’s immune system as a whole.
For example, the skin normally mounts a defense against foreign invaders such as cancers and infections. But overexposure to UV radiation can weaken the immune system, reducing the skin’s ability to protect against these invaders. In addition UV radiation can cause eye damage such as Cataracts, Pterygium, and degeneration of the Macula. So regardless of the season or weather, wear your sunscreen, reapply often and wear your sunglasses to stay healthy.