We don’t have to get sunburnt to begin amassing DNA damage. According to The Royal College of General Practitioners, a tan is our skin reacting to DNA damage by increasing melanin in the skin to protect itself against further UV exposure.
Sunlight is good for you
Our bodies need sunlight. Sunlight directly impacts our regulating hormone melatonin which induces sleep and plays a significant role in sorting out our sleep patterns. If you feel groggy when you wake up, go outside into the light or stand by a window and your melatonin will slow down and let your body know it’s time to be awake!
Sunlight helps our body make vitamin D which is synthesised through the skin and is required for calcium absorption, regulating bone calcium absorption and immune system health. The majority of vitamin D deficiency cases are caused by a lack of outdoor sunlight. This can influence our mood, with too little sunshine leaving some people susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depressive state more common in the Winter months when sunlight is reduced. “1 billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.”
The Dark Side of The Sun
As most people are aware by now, the sun can also cause damage. Finding a balance can be tricky to ensure vitamin D levels are good. Vitamin D can be gained from some foods and supplements, but even the Cancer Council suggests that the sun is the best form of Vitamin D as our bodies can more effectively absorb it and synthesise it. Below we discuss how to get the right amount of sunlight for your skin type and body, avoiding the sun’s damage and what sun damage looks like.
UVA versus UVB and what it means for my skin
Ultraviolet a (UVA) makes up 95-97% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches earth’s surface. It can penetrate deeply into the skin where it may contribute to the growth of skin cancer as it generates DNA damaging molecules (Mead, 2008) . Ultraviolet b (UVB) is the one that can cause sunburn. It also can lead to damage in the DNA and encourages different forms of skin cancers. We don’t have to get sunburnt to begin amassing DNA damage. According to The Royal College of General Practitioners, a tan is our skin reacting to DNA damage by increasing melanin in the skin to protect itself against further UV exposure.
UV rays in skin cells impact our skin’s growth and appearance. Both UVA and UVB rays hasten the ageing of skin, destroy collagen fibres and damage skin vitamin A. As we get older, our skin elasticity weakens and ultraviolet rays only hastens this.
Yale Medicine lists the outcomes of too much sun damage saying that skin can become extra wrinkled, thin, leathery or thick. There may be an increase in pigmentation, sun spots, redness, spider veins, rough and uneven texture.
Research has suggested that 80% of the visible suns of ageing come from UV exposure, known as photoaging.
How much sun exposure should I get daily?
It is different for different people and a number of factors can influence what is required to maintain good vitamin D levels. How well it gets produced once absorbed depends on how many UVB photons penetrate the skin. This is affected by skin colour (the amount of melanin someone has in their skin), excess body fat, sunscreen, clouds and clothing (Mead, 2008). There are also suggestions that lack of sunlight, or Vitamin D deficiency is contributing to other health issues so there really needs to be a balance between getting sun and protecting our skin.
The amount of sun we should expose ourselves to daily is hotly contested and mostly, experts disagree. The National Institute of Health suggests just 10-15 minutes a day with direct light on the arms, face and hands being enough. Some researchers suggest spending 3–15 minutes outdoors in sunlight for people with low melanin (lighter skin) and 15–30 minutes if you have more melanin (tan or darker skin) and to have 40% of the skin exposed and to do so when the sun is highest in the sky.
The Royal College of General Practitioners recommends only going in the sun in the early morning and late afternoon and spending the middle of the day under the shade. If spending a lot of time in the sun, particularly in the middle of the day, they recommend covering your skin with clothing like long-sleeved tops and leggings, a hat of course and frequently reapplying sunscreen.
Yale medicine says everyone is susceptible to photoaging but this will depend on how much unprotected sun exposure you experience over time, the latitude and climate where you live, your skin colour (lighter skin is more susceptible to photoaging) and your skin type. Dermatologists use the Fitzpatrick Scale to ascertain individual’s skin phototype (colour) and asses their photodamage risk, which one are you?
- Type 1—Pale skin, light-colored eyes, blond or red hair. Always burns, does not tan.
- Type II—Fair skin with light-colored eyes. Burns easily but may tan.
- Type III—Medium light skin that initially burns and then tans.
- Type IV—Light brown skin that tans with minimal burning.
- Type V—Medium brown skin that rarely burns.
- Type VI—Dark brown or black skin that tans easily and never burns.
Ultimately it is probably best to ascertain for yourself, based on your skin colour, how quickly you know you get red or tan and what works for you in terms of time of day versus how much clothing coverage you use versus application of sunscreen.
Taking care of skin after sun exposure
Our skin does have clever mechanisms that can prevent and repair damage. We are constantly shedding dead skin cells from the outermost layer of our skin. Even after bad peeling, our skin can completely regenerate after several days or weeks. As we age, the skin has a tougher time repairing itself. Too much sun can deplete the moisture and essential fatty acids in the epidermis, the skin’s protective outer layer. This leads to skin that is dry, flaky, itchy, has a tight feeling and is dehydrated.
SHOP THE SKIN RECOVERY GEL BY ETTO, $45
After time spent in the sun, even if we don’t tan or burn, it is helpful to replenish the skin’s moisture and antioxidants, which will assist in recovery and regenerate from the stress caused by UV light.
Helping the skin stay hydrated with a moisturising salve that is full of nourishing and healing essential fatty acids and nutrients is essential for healthy, fresh feeling skin that glows.
Our After Sun Ritual For Healthy Glowing Skin
Cleanse
Cleanse all over your body and face with The Premedicated All-Over Body Foam for gentle, soap-free body care and a hydrating coconut base with anti-inflammatory properties from Tea Tree which is also cooling. Avoid cleansers with harsh chemicals that will stress the skin further. Avoid benzoyl peroxide, parabens, sulphates and mineral oils.
Hydrate and protect
Roll on The Skin Recovery Gel for a layer of skin barrier protection. ETTO’s Skin Recovery Gel combines Australian Tea Tree Oil, a potent bioactive to calm irritated skin, with Organic Aloe Vera juice, rich in antioxidants, amino acids, & vitamins, to replenish & cool sensitive, dehydrated skin & to minimise peeling.
This intensely hydrating, lightweight gel is expertly formulated with a blend of plant-based ingredients including Chamomile, Honeysuckle, Vitamin E & Tasmanian Pepperberry to support the skin barrier & promote softness & elasticity.
It is very cooling when applied and instantly you will feel relief. It is non greasy and lightweight, leaving skin ultra smooth.
SHOP THE SKIN RECOVERY GEL BY ETTO, $45
Don’t forget lips
The Lip Shield is perfect post time in the sun. It has a defensive barrier with zinc ideal for providing some physical sun barrier to the lips as well as healing Tea Tree Oil for inflammatory properties. Hyaluronic acid, macadamia oil and beeswax hydrate, maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
SHOP THE LIP SHIELD BY ETTO, $25
Healing Skin From Sunburn
Sunburn is basically a toxic reaction to too much UV light. First degree sunburn only affects the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin despite being really red and painful. If the burn swells up and blisters, this is a second degree burn and the damage will go much deeper into the dermis.
Both types of burns will peel and this is the body’s way of removing the damaged cells.
Top Tips for Relieving & Healing Sunburn Naturally
- Take cold showers and baths. You can add 10 drops of pure unadulterated Tea Tree oil to a bath to assist with soothing pain and bringing down the redness.
- Moisturise the area. Aloe-vera is a popular remedy and comes highly recommended by dermatologists. They also recommend avoiding products with petroleum or other mineral oils as they can trap heat and make the sunburn worse.
- The Skin Recovery Gel is made with real aloe vera leaf juice and soothing chamomile. It is full of antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins to fight free radical damage and replenish skin.
- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water or herbal teas (not caffeinated) to prevent your body from dehydrating.
- Don’t pick or pull off the peeling bits of skin and don’t exfoliate. Allow the skin to shed the skin naturally itself.
- Keep your skin out of the sun while it heals, keep it covered with light, baggy protective clothing.
SHOP THE SKIN RECOVERY GEL BY ETTO, $45