I’m still very radical, but if I had any authority, I would close the accounts tiktokers And Instagrammers whose “advice” put their health at risk. And this is one of the viral fads that does this. Yes, I know that we are too old not to follow some guidelines, but there are very young people who lack the information or experience to question what their idols say on the networks.
Call “sun callus” This dangerous practice which consists of constant and prolonged exposure to the sun without sun protection in order to develop a supposed tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In short, if you get deeply burned, your skin will adapt and protect itself better in the future. Moreover, if the above wasn’t outrageous enough, they claim that this practice optimizes production Vitamin Dessential for bone health.
Of course, most experts deny this. Facial care specialist and cosmetologist Esther Morenoit is said that “This is a lie; No tolerance develops, but rather the opposite. Skin has a memory, and today’s damage is blemishes and other problems resulting from exposure. tomorrow.” Moreover, he adds that “We have to assume that there is no such thing as a healthy tan. The tan we get when the sun hits us is nothing more than a defense mechanism for our skin against exposure, which in this case is solar radiation.”.
He thinks the same Ana Sacristan Palosdirector of training Vageggi Spain, who confirms this “Tanning itself is a sign of damage to the epidermis as the skin produces more melanin to protect itself from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.”.
In case it wasn’t clear, Arkaitz Felices, cosmetologist and man in Spain REVIDERMalso warns of the serious dangers of such practices: “This trend is extremely dangerous and has no scientific basis. It’s not that the skin gets stronger in the sun, but rather it weakens and becomes more prone to skin cancer, blemishes and premature aging.”
Moreover, according to Felices, “excessive sun exposure thickens the most superficial layer of skin, the epidermis, making it tougher, dehydrated and causing it to lose elasticity. The barrier function of the epidermis is weakened, exposing the skin to infection and dehydration.” Moreover, he adds that “Sun radiation generates free radicals and oxidative stress, destroying important skin components such as collagen and elastin, which accelerates skin aging.”
Claiming that the sun does not cause cancer and that “sun callus” protects against burns is foolhardy. Almost all of us know that prolonged sun exposure is a significant risk factor for developing skin cancer, and the risk increases significantly if you suffered a severe sunburn as a child or if you have a family history of skin cancer. In this sense, Moreno emphasizes that “Extended sun exposure without protection can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, blemishes and, most seriously, significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.”
In fact, in many cases only the short-term effects are considered, but it is important to highlight the consequences that this practice can have in the long term. And, according to Ana Sacristan,“Excessive sun exposure can suppress the skin’s immune system, reducing its ability to fight infections and repair cellular damage.”
Added to this as explained Jaume Soleil Guerrero, President and Director of Research and Development of the company GENE IDENTITYThe fact is that “The most intense portion of UV radiation that reaches our skin, 95%, corresponds to UVA radiation (315–400 nm), whose wavelength penetrates deeper, reaching the hypodermis and generating highly reactive molecules along the way. known free radicals that cause significant damage to cellular structures. For example, sun allergies, cell photoaging, and even with some ease can lead to damage to our DNA. “Which significantly increases the risk of cellular mutations and even skin cancer.”
Finally, regarding optimizing the amount of vitamin D obtained through this practice, nutritionist Salena Sainzfrom Natural Nutrition explain that “While it is true that sun exposure helps vitamin D synthesis, this does not justify dangerous practices such as sun blisters.“. In the summer, exposing your face and hands to the sun for about 15 minutes a day is sufficient to achieve adequate vitamin D production without the need to sunburn. Additionally, another way to boost your levels of this fat-soluble vitamin is to eat foods rich in vitamin D, such as eggs, salmon, sea bream, and other fatty fish.
In this sense, the nutritionist recommends “Including foods rich in this vitamin in your diet, such as avocado, fish oil, seasonal blue fish such as mackerel or sardines, shellfish, nuts and seeds, fortified dairy products and mushrooms such as shitake mushrooms. Additionally, it is important to combine vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 to improve calcium absorption and ensure its proper use in the body.”.
This also explains that when treating “Because of the fat-soluble vitamin found in fat, any low-calorie diet that limits healthy fats is not recommended.” On the other hand, supplements may be needed for people at risk of deficiency, such as the elderly, people with poor intestinal absorption, obesity, or those who work indoors without exposure to sunlight. However, Sainz warns: “It is important to avoid excess vitamin D to prevent side effects such as digestive problems and weakness.”