Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation Harmful Side Effects of UV Radiation
Do you love the sun? Do you know the effects of exposure to its radiation? Some side effects of ultraviolet radiation on your health are good such as:
It stimulates the circulation of your blood making you feel well,
It is needed for Vitamin D production, and
It is used to treat diseases like rickets, eczema and psoriasis.
But do you know how much you need everyday to get those positive effects?
Only 5-15 minutes exposure to the sun is already sufficient for Vitamin D production. More than this can lead to the harmful effects of UV radiation that are responsible for the skin cancer.
Over Exposure to UV Radiation Leads to Negative Effects
Suntan
Yes, suntan is considered a downside of over exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, everyone wanted to be tan. They called it “healthy tan”.
The truth is, the tan you get after being exposed to the sun is just a sign that your skin has been damaged and has tried to protect itself. The color your skin has produced is actually melanin.
Melanin is your own skin’s natural and first defense against further damage from the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
But remember that the melanin is not enough to protect your skin from one of the world's most common types of cancer today.
Sunburn
This is another one of the harmful health effects of ultraviolet radiation. When you get sunburned skin, it means the cells in the upper layer of your skin have been killed and those that may have survived have been damaged.
Sunburn are of two kinds:
1. one that causes reddening of the skin which is also called erythema, and
2. the other one that makes the skin painful to touch and causes the skin to blister and peel.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are just one of the side effects of sun radiation.
Your skin ages faster after frequent and long exposure to the sun. What UV radiation does is it stimulates rapid growth of cells in the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin.
The epidermis thickens as more and more cells are produced. The UV radiation then digs deeper into the skin layers disturbing the connective tissues.
When this happens the skin slowly loses its elasticity. That’s how wrinkles happen.
Sun Spots
Sun spots are also called age spots. They are dark patches on the skin caused by the over-production of melanin and long-term sun damage.
Photosensitivity
Some people have a skin condition that is highly sensitive to the side effects of ultraviolet radiation even in small amount.
If you are taking medications such as painkillers, anti-diabetics and antibiotic and you are exposed to it, your skin will be particularly more sensitive.
Some products like fragrances and soaps may also contain ingredients that cause or worsen the photosensitivity condition.
When your skin is extra sensitive, prevention against the risk for the deadliest form of skin cancer called melanoma is harder. This makes learning how to prevent skin cancer extremely crucial.
Frequent over exposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to these chronic skin conditions which can trigger cancer cells to develop in the skin. The dangerous effects of ultraviolet radiation are not limited to your skin. They affect your eyes and the immune system as well.
