The Aftermath of UV Exposure

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As summer fast approaches, everyone begins to make their plans for some fun at the beach. This is time for one to get a nice tan from the UV rays of the sun. Some might get a tan at a tanning salon even before they hit the waves. But is the aftermath really worth the tan? Is there even any way to get a safe tan? The effects of the UV light have both positive and negative consequences on the body. Vitamin D intake and phototherapy are both positive factors. Negatively, UV light can lead to skin cancer and eye damage. While the sun contains a greater amount of UVB, the “burning” rays which are more harmful, the tanning beds still gives the skin direct interaction with UVA rays, which can penetrate deep into the skin, causing other problems. To introduce the topic, a sun tan is an increase in skin pigment, called melanin, which causes the tan color change in your skin. It is a sign of damage of our DNA as tanning from both natural and artificial light can be harmful due to UV radiation. The melanin is released as a defense mechanism in the skin when exposed to sun to decrease any further damage. Those who have less melanin, however, tend to burn. Though it may seem that UV light is all bad, positive factors include the absorption of Vitamin D and phototherapy. Vitamin D is an essential to the human body. It maintains a constant level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and preserves proper bone structure. Although it is possible to get Vitamin D from food, diet choices may prevent getting enough of the vitamin as it is highest in seafood and dairy product. Those who don't like seafood or are lactose intolerant may not being getting anywhere near the daily dose of Vitamin D they need. Season Affective Disorder (SAD) is the name... ... middle of paper ... ...://voices.yahoo.com/positive-negative-tanning-bed-effects-2748605.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “The Risks of Tanning.” FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 26, September, 2013. 27, May, 2014. http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116432.htm Mehmet, Oz, MD. “Why does the sun make skin tan?” Sharecare. (No date found). 27, May, 2014. http://www.sharecare.com/health/skin-disorders/why-sun-makes-skin-tan Therapeutic Research Faculty. “Vitamin D.” Web MD. 2009. 27, May, 2014. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-929-VITAMIN%20D.aspx?activeIngredientId=929&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN%20D Epstein, John H., MD and Wang, Stephen Q., MD. “Understanding UVA and UVB.” Skin Cancer Foundation. 2014. 27, May, 2014. http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb

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