The Health Effects Of Solar Radiation

The sun is the star closest to the earth and it has been the subject of dreams, poetry and many scientific studies. It is true that sunlight is a source of life and heat, but solar radiation does not always promote good health.

The energy emitted by the sun is distributed in the form of radiation, but not all the rays reach the earth. This is because the atmosphere absorbs much of it. However, the rays that reach the earth’s surface are the cause of various conditions, such as heat stroke and skin cancer.

How does solar radiation work?

There are many types of solar radiation. However, only two of them are responsible for most health problems.

• First, infrared radiation has a low energy intensity and little power to penetrate the skin. It is therefore usually not responsible for skin problems. It also promotes thermoregulation and is responsible for sweating.

• Furthermore , we have ultraviolet radiation (UV), which only just reaches the earth, but which can easily penetrate the skin. Depending on the type, it can either cause slight discoloration of the skin or more serious damage.

The sun and human health

Exposure to the sun promotes processes such as the synthesis of vitamin D, but it can harm our health if we expose ourselves too much to the sun. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the serious effects of solar radiation on health.

The WHO has also indicated that some of the negative effects are as follows:

• A greater likelihood of developing skin cancer.
• Different degrees of sunburn.
• Premature and accelerated aging since the skin’s rays can promote the creation of free radicals and cause irreversible damage to body molecules and cell structures.
• Various eye diseases, such as cataracts.

Other possible damages from solar radiation have to do with the inefficiency of the immune system:

• Alteration of the functions of antigen-presenting cells, a group of cells in the immune system that affect the proper response of the immune system.
• Increased formation of cytokines, which stimulate or reduce the response of the immune system. These mediators reduce or multiply the defense effects, according to the needs of the environment and infections by external substances.

• Changes in lymphocyte circulation that may also affect the immune response. This is because they change the distribution pathways of the white blood cells in the tissue.
• Activation of T lymphocytes, the defense cells that protect the body from infection and help fight cancer. They cause responses in other parts of the body that can lead to disease if misactivated.

The effects of solar radiation on the skin

Skin cancer is one of the most important effects of solar radiation on the skin. The number of cases of oncological pathologies in the skin has increased over the last 50 years and appears to be related to holes in the ozone layer.

Photoaging (premature aging of the skin) is another skin damage caused by excessive sun exposure. This effect of solar radiation is manifested through increased elasticity in the areas that have been exposed to the sun (face, neck and straightening). It also leads to thicker and drier skin as well as deep wrinkles.

A photo-aged skin has spots and hyperpigmented areas thanks to a change in the melanocytes. The skin will be thick and rough and the pores will be large ; this is due to a phenomenon known as hyperkeratinization.

Prevent damage caused by solar radiation

People react differently to the sun. The predisposition to suffer from sun-related injuries depends on the skin type. That’s why it’s important to keep your photo type in mind. Pale skin, for example, has less melanin and is therefore more sensitive to radiation than dark skin, although the latter is more prone to hyperpigmentation.

How can you prevent damage from solar radiation on your skin? In principle , keep in mind that this type of injury is cumulative. This means that you are born with a certain amount of solar capital that should not be exceeded during your lifetime. You need to use products that protect you from the sun that are appropriate for your skin type.

Children under the age of three should not be in the sun for extended periods. You must take into account the recommended time periods, geographical location and season. Remember that the intensity of the sun’s rays varies depending on the height and the season.