Sun Exposure and Acne

Protect Your Acne With Sun Screen

Sun exposure and acne were not problems for primitive societies.  The sun was hailed as the embodiment of the prime mover, the cause of all causes, the fountain-head of life, the greatest of gods.

Though few people now consider the sun to be an all-powerful god, there are still many sun worshipers in our midst.

....These sun worshipers bake themselves carefully and with proper obeisance. They are careful to turn and twist their bodies in the manner best calculated to get an even, rich coloring over as much of their skin as possible.

They anoint themselves with the latest lotion that promises to keep out harmful sun-ray effects and guarantees a deep tan.

"Ah, it feels so good," they say. And I, with a trace of the sun worshiper still in me, agree. The warmth feels like a balm. Vitamin D is brought to the body by the sunlight's effect on the skin.

The pimples of acne can diminish or disappear when the sun's ultraviolet rays play upon them.

Any teen-ager who winces with pain of sunburn when clapped on the back can testify that over exposure to the sun is never good. For everyone there is an amount and degree of sun beyond which danger lies. Even a person who tans readily and easily may get harmful changes in his skin if he has too much exposure.

Every year doctors' offices receive a crop of acutely sunburned patients. Many people have ultrasensitive skins and should not keep trying to tan, because the blisters and the peeling and the pain will happen every time. A few individuals must try to avoid any exposure to the sun's rays.

Albinos need the protection of long-sleeved and trousered clothes, plus wide-brimmed hats, whenever they venture out into the sunshine. Such uncommon illnesses as hydroa estivale and lupus erythematous make people particularly sensitive to the sun's rays.

In these conditions sunshine can act as a poison to the body. A few individuals are even allergic to sunshine and get bad reactions from any exposure to it.

Acne and Sun Exposure

Some exposure to the sun seems to be beneficial for acne.  To much sun can be dangerous, so anyone with acne should use a good sun screen.  What's a good sun screen for acne sufferers?  Chose one with the following in mind: 

1. The product has a high SPF rating. Make sure you get SPF20 or higher for better protection against the sun.

2. The sun screen is not oil-based.

3. You want one that does not clog pores. Clogged pores means that there is a chance your acne will get worse.

4. The sun screen for acne should be light and comfortable when applied on your face it does not feel oily and smelly after using.

5. Find one that has moisturizing effect. I will be ever better if it contains vitamins and minerals.

A good practice is to ask your pharmacist for advice in choosing a sun screen that will protect not aggravate your acne.

Preventing Sun Burn

Falling asleep in the sunshine is a dangerous thing to do. Even if the sun is behind a cloud, enough of its rays can filter through to cause a severe burn. Whether one is asleep or awake, his skin reaction is never so severe during the exposure as it will be hours and days later. Caution and moderation can prevent hours of pain and misery.

Tanning lotions are of some help in preventing painful burns but they should not be relied on completely. If common sense isn't used on the beach or the tennis court, sun oil or cream will not save the day.

Mild burns from the sun are relieved by Vaseline, olive oil, cold cream, or other soothing ointments. If the skin is quite painful, cool compresses or baths of oatmeal solution or baking-soda solution (a teaspoon to a cup of water) may bring relief.

If blisters form, they should not be punctured. Infection may result. If the blisters break spontaneously, sterile gauze bandage should be applied. If the burn affects the deeper layers of skin to cause blistering, a physician should be consulted. A doctor's advice should be sought if the burn is severe enough to cause chills, fever, or general signs of illness.

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Sun Exposure and Acne