Celebrate Safe Sunning
Ahhhhhh! The deep warmth and relaxation of laying out...that’s what we used to call it, “laying out”. I remember the coconut aroma of my Mom’s Tropicana suntan oil, and how she would fall asleep, stretched out on a lawnchair, while I played in the yard. I remember looking through the fence at the older neighbor girls, as they took time after school to bare most of their young skin to the brilliant, Southern California sun. Each of them was on a quest, a quest to achieve the perfect summer tan.
Throughout the 80’s and 90’s skin cancer rates climbed, and people slathered chemical sunscreens on their skin in an attempt to block out the cancer-causing UVA rays. It’s so sad to me that chemical sunscreens with parabens and phylates, are now known to actually increase risk of certain types of skin cancer.
Scientists are now discovering the many benefits of getting a safe, daily dose of UVB rays of sunshine (more about UVB rays below). These benefits, aside from getting a deeper skin color, include; natural vitamin D production (which cuts cancer risk by 60 %), improved mood and energy through release of endorphins, synchronization of biorhythms, treatment various skin diseases, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, tuberculosis, and more.
Since embarking on the quest for these benefits myself a few years ago, I too am now addicted to the warm, meditative retreat of lying out in the sun. It has become my 20 minute escape when I have the extra time...whenever the sun decides to bless me out here in otherwise foggy Los Osos.
Throughout the day, there are two different types of rays we get from the sun. One type is beneficial, and one is detrimental. The detrimental, UVA rays, can damage our skin in the morning and in the late afternoon, when the sun’s rays are bent (or whenever the sun is less than 50 degrees from the horizon, which happens year-round in high latitudes such as Alaska). And the beneficial rays, the UVBs which help us make vitamin D, occur generally between 10AM - 2PM in the late spring, summer, and early fall in most latitudes, when the sun is overhead and the rays are more direct.
For your regular sunning-pleasure, safety, and knowledge, I listed below the safe sun exposure guidelines and tips according to Dr. Joseph Mercola. Here’s a LINK to one of his best articles on vitamin D benefits and safe sunning.
Get out in the sun in the midday, and only stay out in it as long as it takes your skin to turn a slightly darker shade. For me, since I’m fairly fair (thanks to my Irish heritage), that’s about 15 minutes in the spring & fall, and only 5-10 minutes in the summer. As soon as I turn slightly pink, I go back inside. I’ve been able to spend longer and longer periods out in the sun without burning, as my protective tan has developed. It’s best to let your natural pigmentation (tan) develop slowly to avoid burning even slightly.
Avoid burning at all costs. Sunburn is one of the biggest risk factors for skin cancer and photo-aging. If you accidentally do burn, use raw aloe vera to sooth & heal your skin. If you have to be out in the sun for extended periods, cover up or use a non-chemical sunscreen. I like California Baby and Elemental Herbs SPF 33...you can also make your own natural sunscreen! Here’s a LINK to a great recipe for natural sunscreen.
When sunning, get as much of your skin exposed as possible, even if it’s simply rolling up your sleeves and pant legs, but shade your delicate face and eyes.
Avoid sunning through a window or glass, where UVB rays get blocked but UVA rays come through.
Avoid sunning through a window or glass, where UVB rays get blocked but UVA rays come through.
Avoid foods which weaken your skin’s natural sun protection: refined vegetable oils, processed foods, foods with chemical additives, and inflammatory foods. Eat plenty of real foods which contribute to your skin’s natural sun protection: virgin coconut oil, plenty of omega 3 fats, quality vitamin C, oral Vitamin D3, and the supplement Astazanthin. Here’s a wonderful article which explains all of this.
Wash your armpits and groin with soap, but try not to scrub the rest of your skin with soap as it interferes with you body’s ability to absorb vitamin D. You see, vitamin D production happens in the sebum (oils) of your skin, which can take up to 2 days to be absorbed into your body....no wonder we’re all vitamin D deficient!
Wash your armpits and groin with soap, but try not to scrub the rest of your skin with soap as it interferes with you body’s ability to absorb vitamin D. You see, vitamin D production happens in the sebum (oils) of your skin, which can take up to 2 days to be absorbed into your body....no wonder we’re all vitamin D deficient!
