Spring is a wonderful time of year when nature comes back to life and the sun welcomes us with its warming rays. But while the sun at this time is a symbol of well-being and joy for many people, it also carries a certain danger. Why is spring sun dangerous? In this blog post, we would like to address this question and give you some important information about spring time sunlight.
The sun is there all year round, but in spring it seems to be particularly bright and strong. This is because the sun's rays have a lower angle when they hit the earth at this time of year. This means that they have to travel a shorter distance through the atmosphere before they hit our skin. Since the atmosphere filters some of the harmful rays that come from the sun, a shorter distance means that more of these rays can reach our skin.
Dangers of the spring sun: What are the risks?
Too much sun exposure can lead to a variety of skin problems, from mild redness and sunburn to long-term damage such as wrinkles and skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and can be fatal if not detected and treated early.
The sun emits different types of radiation, some of which are more dangerous than others. UV-A rays penetrate deep into the skin and can cause long-term damage, while UV-B rays affect the upper layers of the skin and can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
The skin's own protection is not yet sufficiently present.
When the first rays of sunshine finally dispel the grey in spring, everyone is drawn outdoors. And that's important, too, because the spring sun lifts our mood and stimulates vitamin D production.
However, as tempting as this is, the spring sun is dangerous for our skin. While the spring sun is not as intense as it is in high summer - many people underestimate its current power and the dangerous effects of UV rays. The skin is not yet sufficiently pigmented due to the long winter months and is particularly susceptible to the dangerous UV rays due to the spring sun. Since the body's own protection is still lacking, sufficient protection is extremely important, especially in the spring sun.
The problem is that you cannot feel UV rays on your skin. If the skin is already red, it is too late. Therefore, protect yourself early and enjoy the sun, but safely!
How to protect yourself from the spring sun: Getting used to UV rays slowly is crucial.
Therefore, the skin should slowly get used to the radiation, advises the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Prävention (ADP ). After the long winter, it is better to go outside only briefly and look for a shady spot at midday, as the protective layer of skin can sometimes be very thin.
To protect yourself from the harmful effects of the spring sun, there are some simple steps you can follow:
- Wear sun protective clothing that covers your body to protect your skin.
- Wear a sun hat and sunglasses to protect your scalp and eyes.
- For open areas of skin, use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
