Sun and Skin
The sun’s radiation, in the form of photons, strikes the skin and partly penetrates it, causing a series of reactions, some beneficial and some harmful.
Beneficial actions certainly include the synthesis of Vitamin D by keratinocytes, the vital cells of the epidermis, stimulated by UV rays, the development of heat and thus improved blood circulation by Intra Red (IR) rays, the photostimulation or photobiostimulation of many cellular activities by visible rays. Click here for source and in-depth discussion
Among the damaging actions, however, the main ones are:
- the continuous damage to the genetic makeup of keratinocytes that can lead to the generation of skin tumors.
- damage to elastic and collagen fibers leading to premature aging called photoaging.
Conflict between Skin and Sun
It begins at birth and is prolonged throughout life such that in the evolution of the human species the skin has developed a system of self-defense from sunlight, and in particular UV rays, called the pigmentary system. Melanin is the pigment that protects against the sun’s UV rays.
Melanin protection is only partial, however, and so various populations have adopted conscious behaviors toward the sun.
Different latitudes and different skin types
In areas of strong sunlight, the main activities take place after sunset and before sunrise. In other regions it is totally opaque clothing that allows daytime activities.
This virtuous behavior is not observed by those who have the most to fear from sun exposure i.e., the large proportion of the fair-skinned population who challenge the sun’s rays with bare skin.
The challenge, of course, is won by the sun, and so skin cancers are steadily increasing.
How to protect yourself from the sun
To protect oneself, all that is needed is to interpose a screen between the light and the skin that, by intercepting the sun’s rays, attenuates or cancels their energy.
The easiest way is to wear a garment of fine fabric, preferably natural fiber (cotton, linen, silk, etc.), so that it is the fabric that intercepts the sun’s rays and not the skin.
In other words, in the sun one should dress exactly as people in tropical and equatorial countries do.
Sunscreens: a strategy to rethink
Sunscreens contain chemical components or chemical filters that can absorb the energy of the sun’s photons, preventing them from impacting skin cells and causing damage. Click here for source and further reading
In fact, by applying a Sunscreen we avoid burning our skin and can better enjoy our vacation day. Unfortunately, however, the pitfalls for the skin have not decreased but increased.
Here are listed the dermatological reasons why a sunscreen containing chemical filters should not be used.
These substances:
- Are not stable but degrade under sunlight
- as they degrade, they are absorbed through the skin and can be toxic to the body. Click here for source and in-depth discussion
- do not absorb all the dangerous solar radiation
- can cause allergy to sunlight. Click here for source and in-depth discussion
- are exhausted under the action of the sun
- are environmental pollutants. Click here for source and in-depth discussion
The fact that by applying sunscreen we get sunburned less has meant that the fair-skinned population has increased the time of sun exposure and, considering the partial protection of creams, has increased rather than decreased the damage from solar radiation.
The consequence is an increase in skin cancers, including Melanoma.
Finally, there are other dermatological considerations that advise against the use of sunscreens at least on the face, they in fact generate comedones, microcysts, folliculitis, lesions that together characterize the picture of Solar Acne. Click here for source and further study Melasma is also often caused by the activation of sunscreens and their reaction with the skin of the face. Click here for the source and in-depth discussion
When and why sunscreens are not recommended
| Situations in which sunscreens are not indicated | Dermatological reason for not using sunscreens |
| Children | Suspected systemic toxicity Click here for source and further study |
| Acne | Generating Solar Acne |
| Melasma | Generate Melasma or worsen it |
| Allergic reactions to sun | Generate reaction to sunlight |
| After surgical or physical treatments | Intolerance |
| Drug-chemotherapy treatments | Intolerance, UV protection only |
| Autoimmune diseases | Possible skin reactions |
Protection with natural mineral sun reflectors
In nature, many minerals have a marked tendency to reflect the sun’s rays while at the same time being well tolerated on the skin or even benefiting the skin. This is the case with Clays, which in addition to their ability to reflect the sun’s rays also have natural soothing and astringent properties that are widely exploited for skin care.
Many other minerals have reflective properties including Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, the latter of which, containing oxygen molecules, must be stabilized so that they do not produce oxygen radicals when exposed to the sun.
The granules of a mixture of sun-reflective minerals must be small enough in size to evenly cover the skin but not so small that they are absorbed by the skin.
MOST Sun Clay
MOST Sun Clay is the natural mineral photoprotectant that is not absorbed by the skin and protects over the full band of sunlight.
SUN CLAY REFILL
