Sunscreen: Difference between revisions

Sunscreen has many short term and long term health benefits, especially in regards to the human skin.  A person’s skin, or epidermis, is the largest organ in their body as is by far the most exposed.  One of sunscreens major benefits is its ability to prevent cancer, but especially skin cancer.  Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers.  Skin cancer effects more people than breast and lung cancer.  Studies have shown that 1in 5 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States alone.  Sunscreen prevents skin cancer by defending against the dangerous radiation of the sun.  It absorbs the powerful UV rays or ultraviolet radiation.  Another benefit of applying sunscreen is its anti-aging properties.  Sunscreen slows down the natural processes of aging by reducing the aging caused be overexposure to the sunlight.  It also prevents the unflattering occurrence of wrinkled, leathery, and sagging skin.  Sunscreen does not permanently prevent skin aging, but it can temporarily prevent or even reduce its effects in spend.  Sunscreen is also beneficial to people who take medication or have sensitive skin.  By protecting and defending the skin from the sun, sunscreen increases a person’s skin health.  Sunscreen protects significant proteins in the body, including keratin and collagen.  These proteins are what keeps the skin firm and smooth.  Sunscreen has titanium oxide within it, which gives sunscreen its skin health properties.  Another benefit is that sunscreen is very inexpensive to purchase, which concludes that skin protection is very easy and affordable.<ref>Daniel, Harri. [http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-sunscreen/ The Benefits of Sunscreen] “Benefitof.net”. Web. April 18, 2016- last updated.</ref>  

Although sunscreen had more advantages than disadvantages, it still has some potential risks.  The main concern is the potential deficiency of vitamin D with the long term use of sunscreen.  Although sunscreen protects against the sun’s dangerous UV rays, it can reduce he intake of essential vitamin D rays.  The lack of vitamin D can lead to bone diseases due to the fact that it is crucial or strong and healthy bones within the body.  This concern can be dealt with a receiving short and minimal intakes of sun exposure without sunscreen or even taking vitamin D supplements.<ref>Unknown, Author. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen Sunscreen] “Wikipedia”. Web. April 18, 2016- last updated.</ref>

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburns and the damage of the skin.  These rays are the most intense of the two and they are the most harmful.  Although the UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply, UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancer in sunburns.  UVB rays have shorter wavelength, but are more powerful.<ref>Epstein, John. [http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb UVA and UVB] “Skin Cancer Foundation”. Web. April 18, 2016- last updated.</ref>