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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE n Tuesday, January 21. 2003 n HZ! 7M i n BY body mind spirit O Intellectual Emotional Health THE DARK SIDE OP THE SUN While moderate exposure to the sun has here are some of the dangers and preventive measures for your skin that are associated with excessive exposure to the its benefits, Health' 0 Physical Health Spiritual Health 0 Social Health TEST YOUR SOLAR BODY IQ Q: What A: The human body's largest organ sun. Regardless of who you are, or how tan you are, it is extremely important to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 5. There is no such thing as a safe tan. tanning is visual evidence that the skin has been damaged, and a base tan offers little or no protection against future damage since the sun's harmful rays are still penetrating your skin. Some believe that tanning booths offer a safe alternative to natural tanning, but the wave lengths of light used are very similar to those of the sun, and are equally capable of damaging your skin. TOR STUDENTS 5TUDENT5 is the body's largest organ? is the skin. It protects and shields the internal structures of the body. Since the skin serves such an important part to every day life, it is extremely important to care for your skin. Q: Does altitude have an impact on sun exposures? 1 WINTER SUN MATTERS Protecting yourself against sunburn and skin damage is a year-lon- g battle. In the winter months, the risk of sunburn can actually increase because the sun's radiation is reflected in the snow and it hits the body from all angles, instead of just from above. Also, in the winter it is often cloudy, and people wonder "why do I need to worry about sunburn if can't see the sun?" The answer is fairly simple - the ultraviolet radiation from the sun (the light that damages the skin) can still penetrate the clouds and give you a sunburn, even if visible light does not reach you. Yes. At high altitude the ultraviolet rays from the sun are more intense and therefore more damaging. Even when is it cloudy the risk of sunburn is extreme. Q: If I am really tanned, I can't get sunburned right? Wrong. Aside from the immediate potential sunburn, UV exposure over time, even without burning, leads to DNA damage and a breakdown of the makeup and function of skin cells, disrupting the repair systems which normally guard the skin from injury. As time progresses, damage accumulates and the cells begin to divide and grow abnormally, According to the American College Health Association Health Assessment (2001), 1 7 of students at the University of Utah reported using sunscreen daily. u0 fU Health Assessment Survey, 2001 r TO PROTECT YOUR- SELF EROM THE 5UN: I 1 3. SlvdrtH Health Advmocy Cotiviuilcc ) to wear a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, and pants Wear sunscreen daily YOU GET A SUN5URN: - '"V ' ( '. f v- rj . resources: American Acade- - 7VC "4 ,nform4tion about Studnt Health Strvlct, Soak in lukewarm water 2. Take aspirin or an equivalent to reduce inflammation 3. Use a moisturizer without vitamin 4. Avoid the sun 1. - www.aad.org, 2002, and TrawAl Vlcctrr www.travldoctor.co.uk, 2002 Fr mre (I0am-4pm- IE .. V- out of the sun during the peak 2. While in the sun, make an effort Whether you are heading off to Cancun or Mazatlan, Kansas City, hiking the Wasatch i Sir w' JOfCfl Stay hours r, Even though the semester has just begun, Spring Break is just around the corner. Mountains or just staying in Salt Lake City, make sure to be aware of the potential dangers that are in store for your skin, and plan accordingly. While out relaxing and enjoying the sun, remember to always wear sunscreen and to avoid exposure to the sun during the midday hours. . " SHAC, or Head toToe contact Funded in part by the University of Utah Publications Council, Heod to Tot Edited by: BradWarlick Designed by Brittany Jones 58I-6S6- 0. E 5 |
