Do you love the sun's rays on your skin? So do we! The sun puts you in a good mood, without it there would be no life on our planet and our body depends on it for important processes, such as the production of vitamin D or the activation of our immune system. So why is sun protection so important?
Not without my sun: vitamin D
With the help of UV rays, pro-vitamins are produced in the epidermis, which are transported to the liver and then to the kidneys, where they are converted into vitamin D. The name "vitamin D" is misleading since, strictly speaking, it is a hormone, not a vitamin.
Vitamin D is important for bone structure, muscles, and the immune system and it helps transport calcium from food into the blood. Calcium strengthens bones and is also essential for the proper functioning of muscles and nerves. In order to produce enough vitamin D, 10 minutes of sun a day is completely sufficient.
On the other hand, light therapy is used to treat depression and a disturbed sleep-wake cycle. Some recent scientific studies suggest that, when consumed in small amounts, the sun may protect against cancer.
The answer is very simple: unprotected sun exposure is the main cause of premature skin aging and can lead to skin cancer in the long term. So, if you want to enjoy the sun, make sure to protect your skin from UV rays.