Exposure to the sun causes skin cancer
By HONEYPALS
@HONEYPALS (270)
Nairobi, Kenya
March 31, 2013 11:18am CST
I understand that chronic exposure to the sun causes premature aging, which over time can make the skin become thick, wrinkled, and leathery. This occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after the majority of a person's sun exposure. Hence, premature aging is often regarded as an unavoidable, normal part of growing older. However, up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. Yet exposure to the sun is needed for vitamin D. I wonder how one should balance the two.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
31 Mar 13
Only about 15 minutes is needed to get enough vitamin D and that can be on the arms alone for instance. Sun block should be used on the face and if out in the sun for longer than a short time, it should be use on all exposed skin. Something else that cause the face to get wrinkled, etc. is smoking and the combination of smoking and exposure, doesn't have to be at the same time, can really cause premature aging of the face. I have never smoked but when younger before sun block was even available I got a lot sun exposure playing tennis and stuff. Because of that I have sun damage to the face but not much in the way of wrinkles. Also, I have had skin cancer on one ear but of the least harmful type.
@moneylots87 (521)
• Indonesia
31 Mar 13
Yes the exposure to sun light can causes bad effects like wrinkles, even skin cancer, but its if we exposed to ultra violet ray. And the vitamin D we obtain in the morning in my country (Indonesia) its good from 6am to 10am since the sun light do not contains much ultra violet yet. But some time i just eating suplement pill for my vitamin D or from food resources.
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
31 Mar 13
i think the key is not to sit out in the sun and sun bathe. that's where the problem come in.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
31 Mar 13
The balance is not to take in to much sun each and everyday. You can't be sitting in the sun each day for hours because that will do alot a damage fast. If I'm out in my garden I have a hat on but I'm still getting vitamin D from the sun. So I'm protecting my face to prevent aging and cancer. I'm also only working in my garden maybe once a week to once every two weeks depending on the time of year. Since I live in Puerto Rico I'm more aware of the sun and what it can do to our skin. So if I'm outside in my yard for three hours once a week with my head covered I believe that is ok.
