The skin is the largest organ in our body, covering our entire external body. It is made up of three different layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, and all three play a vital role in the makeup of the human body. The skin has many functions, such as regulating temperature, controlling the amount of water being released into the environment, preventing pathogens, and, most importantly, absorbing UV light. Furthermore, it contains many blood vessels, nerves, and lymphocytes.
The sun is the heart of the solar system and keeps everything together and in place in the solar system. This extraordinary star contains the most dangerous and harsh light, UV, which is short for Ultra Violet. There are many benefits when humans are exposed to UV light, such as :
Production of Vitamin D: essential for your human body and allows you to survive at an optimal state.
Improvement in mood: activate your neurotransmitters in your brain and can help with many brain activities such as memory
Increased energy: contributes to feeling happy and boosting wellness
Phototherapy that treats skin conditions: Phototherapy uses UV light to treat skin conditions such as newborn jaundice
The sun can positively affect both our brain chemistry and mental state. However, it can be hazardous when your skin is exposed for too long, due to the presence of UV. Significant effects include the premature aging of the skin, called photoaging, or even the worst of all, cancer. The outermost layer of the skin contains a pigment called Melanin. It provides pigmentation to your eyes, skin, and hair. Melanin is the first line of defense against the sun as it reacts with the sun's UV light and absorbs as much of it as possible to protect your cells. On the contrary, with too much exposure to UV, Melanin won't be able to absorb it all causing damage to your skin.
The chemical composition of melanin
Photoaging and cancer are the leading causes of too much exposure to the sun. Photoaging is when the skin is exposed to the skin that the skin ages, causing many symptoms like wrinkles, redness, and loss of skin tone and can lead to cancer.
Skin cancer is prevalent, with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer in their lifetime, as well as between 132000 people getting diagnosed with skin cancer worldwide.
Skin cancer can cause a range of symptoms, including bumps or patches on the skin. The bumps can be irregular in shape, size, and color. There are two main types of skin cancer caused by the sun: Malignant Melanoma and non-melanoma. Malignant melanoma is lethal and causes death, but non-melanoma is very much treatable with surgery.
Our skin is thick and contains many layers that protect our internal human body. However, the sun's sharp and hazardous UV light can cause much damage. Yes, being exposed to the sun is good for your body and your mental health. But when there is too much exposure, it can be lethal, so much so that it can cause cancer. Thus, it's all in moderation.
Reference List
American Cancer Society (2019). Does UV Radiation Cause Cancer? | American Cancer Society. [online] www.cancer.org. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-radiation.html#:~:text=UV%20rays%2C%20either%20from%20the.
Cleveland Clinic (2022a). Melanin: What Is It, Types & Benefits. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22615-melanin.
Cleveland Clinic (2022b). Phototherapy (Light Therapy): What It Is, Uses, Benefits & Risks. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24385-phototherapy-light-therapy.
Hopkins Medicine (2021). Sun Safety. [online] www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sun-safety#:~:text=In%20most%20cases%2C%20ultraviolet%20rays.
Medline Plus (n.d.). Sun’s effect on skin - Health Video: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] medlineplus.gov. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm#:~:text=The%20outer%20layer%20of%20the.
World Health Organization (2017). Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin cancer. [online] www.who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)-radiation-and-skin-cancer#:~:text=How%20common%20is%20skin%20cancer.
Yale Medicine (n.d.). Photoaging (Sun Damage). [online] Yale Medicine. Available at: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/sun-damage#:~:text=When%20the%20sun%20prematurely%20ages.
Yousef, H., Alhajj, M. and Sharma, S. (2022). Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis. [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/#:~:text=It%20is%20made%20up%20of.
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