Ultraviolet+Exposure-+The+Costs+and+Benfits

Ultraviolet Exposure: the Costs and Benefits Rebecca Fuger Even though the tanning fad is on the rise, there are still many people who are reluctant to be exposed to the ultraviolet lights. They cite the link to melanoma and other types of skin cancers as a deterrant from going out in the sun. However, there are many benefits to going stepping out for a natural tan; though where there are benefits there are also several costs to a sun tan.

There are many out there that support natural sunbathing and declare the charges that there is a link to skin cancers and other health problems to be false. John Ward from //The First Post// in the United Kingdom said that "There is little or no danger of developing melanoma from getting a natural tan." He then cited that melanoma will only kill one person in 7000 in the UK.

The ultraviolet rays of sunlight provides sufficient vitamin D that ensures the flow of calcium into the bloodstream, absorbs calcium and phosporus from food into the intestines and reabsorbs calcium into the kidneys; it is most necessary for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts, which aid in bone formation and osteoclasts, that control bone tissue.

Although you can get soem vitamin D in foods, it is not enough to reach the optimal health level. There are two methods to safely get vitamin D through ultraviolet exposure.

The first way is through uncontrolled ultraviolet radiation exposure. This involves simply going out in the natural sunlight. This is considered uncontrolled because there is no real way to tell whether or not the levels of ultraviolet rays that you are getting is safe enough. This method is also not reliable because of weather conditions and geography, meaning that sunlight cannot be the sole factor for vitamin D intake.

The other method is called controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure. This is a professional indoor tanning salon that uses equipment that allows the maximum dose of ultraviolet radiation that is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to this regulation each person's individual skin type and subtype is determined to find the correct amount of time in one session and to ensure that there is no overexposure involved.

It is believed that through a combination of supplements and ultraviolet ray exposure is the best way to have the right amount of vitamin D in your system for the entire year.

Despite the notable benefits of sun tanning and ultraviolet ray exposure, there are several drawbacks. //Health News// reported that, "In the last 30 years, rates of the cancer have more than quadrupled from 3.4 cases per 100,000 in 1977 to 14.7 per 100,000 in 2006." The National Cancer Institute reported that they predicted that there would be more than 600,000 new diagnoses of non-melanoma skin cancer in the United States this year.

There is also the risk of premature aging, or photoaging. For example, the people who regularly sunbathe or tan before 30 years of age show skin that is chronologically aged at about 40 years or more. Ultraviolet exposed skin can also develop irregular pigmentation, also known as liver spots, in later years.

Other possible bad effects from ultraviolet exposure include eye damage such as cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world and ultraviolet exposure is a major risk factor in cataract development. Prolonged time in the sun also results in corneal sunburn, growths on the outer surfaces of the eyes are known to be related to long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays. Another health risk is associated with sunbathing and tanning is possible damage to the immune system. Because the skin is part of the body's natural defense system there are many health care professionals that believe ultraviolet radiation can alter how the immune system functions. When ultraviolet radiation supresses immune system responses, the body loses its ability to fight off certain diseases, one of which include skin cancer.

The best way to combat these risks and also achieve a tan with its health benefits is to wear sunscreen. Studies show that sunscreens prevent the ultraviolet induced wrinkling and skin damgae. Studies done on animals show that sunscreens with good ultraviolet coverage prvent the sagging and and wrinkling attributed to overexposure. More recent evidence suggests that daily sunscreen application decreases the elastic damage that occurs when the sun damages human skin.

Health professionals have scrutinized the sun's impact on human skin and health for decades and have come up with a mixed bag of consequences. There is no doubt that we need the sun in order to get the right amount of vitamin D, but must be mindful of the possible health risks involved with sunbathing. The most sound advice is that anything is alright in moderation.