Beneficios de los baños de sol

The sun is the most powerful force that sustains life on our planet. For many peoples and ancient religions, the sun was considered a God, perceived as a fecundating power, and it is the basic source of light, energy, and life on Earth.

For our health, the sun is an ambivalent force. It can harm us, as it can cause sunburns, contribute to the development of solar erythema, cancer, and skin aging, but it also lowers blood pressure, synthesizes vitamin D, and improves the treatment of various pathologies, among other benefits.

Sunbathing with the sole objective of showing off a tan is not highly advisable; we must learn to enjoy the sun's rays, obtaining the best from them without paying the consequences that we may see over time.

How the sun benefits our health

• Sun rays can have therapeutic properties for some dermatological diseases due to their anti-inflammatory effect; they can promote epithelialization and circulation.
• People with psoriasis can benefit from exposure to the sun for a very short period of time, as it promotes the healing of lesions. The same applies to some forms of dermatitis.
• It helps the body generate vitamin D. Upon receiving ultraviolet radiation, the skin generates vitamin D (which is essential for the mineralization of bones and teeth); this is metabolized in the kidneys to transform into its active form and thus contribute to the absorption and deposition of calcium in the bones.
• In some cases, it helps to prevent and control acne.
• It helps improve the immune system, as it increases the number of white blood cells in both lines: neutrophils and lymphocytes.
• It metabolizes cholesterol.
• It is ideal for those with hypertension, as it helps lower blood pressure; as the arteries dilate, the amount of blood concentrated in the organs decreases.
• Ultraviolet rays regulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps define sleep cycles. Sunlight reduces its levels, which helps one feel more awake.
• Sunbathing is also beneficial for our mood, as it promotes the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to well-being.
• The sun's rays also slightly increase testosterone levels, which in men and women is the hormone of desire, which can lead to a better sex life.

How to sunbathe without affecting the health of your skin

• Try to stay out of direct sun, especially when it reaches its highest intensity, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you find it necessary to expose yourself during these hours, try to cover up with a scarf, hat, or cap, and use UV-protected sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Use sun protection products on the exposed parts of your body and your face, and try to incorporate this routine into your daily care.
• Keep sun protection in mind even on cloudy days; regardless of whether it is raining or cloudy, UVA rays exert an effect on our skin.
• If you have babies or small children, ensure they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Cover them with umbrellas or canopies, and cover their bodies with long-sleeved clothing and sun protection every time they come out of the sea or pool.
• Your eyes are also affected by sun rays, and the skin around them is extremely delicate; by wearing glasses with UVA and UVB protection, you avoid making facial expressions that can later turn into fine lines.
• Take into account the needs of individual skin types. We are all unique and so is our skin; learn to recognize your skin type and give it the care it deserves.
• Cover exposed skin with clothing, and your head and face with a wide-brimmed hat. There are also fibers designed to protect the skin from solar radiation; if you are going to be exposed during long hikes or walks in the sun, wearing clothing designed for this is a plus.
• Pay attention to the potential side effects of any prescribed medication. Some medications have sun exposure among their contraindications, as it can cause spots or skin lesions.

How long can you sunbathe?

Some dermatologists believe that, provided there are no complications with regular sun exposure, you can sunbathe without sunscreen for up to 20 minutes a day. To reduce the risk of sunburn, it may be better to stick to 5 to 10 minutes.

This will vary depending on how close you live to the equator, your skin's usual response to the sun, and the air quality:

• In our tropical countries, sun rays fall almost perpendicularly on the earth, which implies overexposure to UVA rays.
• Our skin phototype also influences our ability to defend ourselves against radiation. Phototype is a classification that takes into account skin tone, eye color, hair color, the ability to tan, and the time it takes for the skin to burn without protection. It varies from phototype 1, which represents people with very fair skin who have little or no tolerance to the sun, to phototype 6, which represents people with very dark skin who usually tan very quickly and do not tend to get sunburns.
• Poor air quality can also block some ultraviolet light. Some research suggests that it is more harmful to receive a lot of sun at once than to be exposed gradually over time; that is, taking short sunbaths each day to benefit from our star.