Posted by yxibow on April 13, 2009, at 23:08:31
In reply to Re: Question about sunlight,UV rays,depression etc., posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2009, at 20:03:26
> Have to comment on the link as agree totally with Larry. Jeez the sun so aged my skin I looked twenty years older than I am and hence spent thousands of dollars to try and undo some of the damage. I have age spots all over my body from too much sun. And two small cataracts due to sunexprossure. Please people wear good sunglasses and at leat a number 15 sunblock. I damaged myself horribly with the years of sun exposure. 10 minutes a day in the sun is enough for Vita D. Also Vita D is available in capsules in health food stores and blood tests to test the level of D mine was done by my endo and fine. Love Phillipa
Different people, their ethnicity, etc, have a variety of responses to sun exposure.SPF is not a perfect measurement and in fact some high rated SPF factors aren't completely accurate.
But in general, it means that if you burn in 10 minutes, SPF 10 means probably you will have 100 minutes exposure maximum. UVA, according to Wikipedia anyhow, is not always protected enough, zinc oxide is an old medication and one effective though in sunscreen for UVA.
But people don't always burn in 10 minutes. Melanin, and other factors may mean someone in intense sun may not burn for 30 or 40 minutes.
Also the UV factor due to weather and ozone holes (which have been very slowly healing) makes a big difference as well.
People who live in areas with very little sun (England, Norway, etc) who go to tropical climates may burn more than those who are native to the area and have different melanin.
Cataracts are a matter of fact of aging, they don't necessarily have to do with sun exposure although they might in your case. They're often fairly benign and people can live for years with them without possibly being in need of surgery.
We're not the only creatures who need vitamin D from the sun -- I happen to keep water turtles and they need to come out and bask, like other reptiles to warm their blood and also make vitamin D3.
But there's plenty of vitamin D now added to milk and a variety of soymilks as well (which have calcium and other things added too), as pasteurization may reduce some vitamins.
In modest to very bright sunlight, UVA/UVB sunglasses are also important. They should be reliable, because having a dark object in front of your eyes (I prefer dark 'nascar' shades that cover your entire eyes... but that's also because I have issues with light), and having holes in it or improper protection, the dilation of your pupils from the darkness will let pure light in instead of UV protection.
However, being behind ordinary window glass will block UVB, not as much UVA, by itself. Specialized quartz glass may block other radiation.
You're right to say its prudent to wear sunscreen -- you're right -- typical European heritage and farming or being outdoors all the time can produce (never mind the social connotation) what is probably known as a "r*dn*ck" because of long term exposure to sun, which eventually the skin becomes tough and leathery.
As the song attributed to Baz Lurhman said "...always wear sunscreen."Well maybe not always, but if you're going to the beach or doing gardening in the heat of the day (which is actually worst not at noon but typically towards 1pm or so, give or take summertime).
Some people who burn in 5 minutes, may have to wear it a lot more.
-- tidings
Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:889657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090408/msgs/890526.html