The Healthiest Way to Keep from Getting a Sunburn

With the rise of skin cancer going up, the idea of getting sunburned is enough to keep even the most avid sun enthusiasts indoors. For years now "they" (the media, advertisements, and even doctors) are pushing the use of sunblock as the answer to keeping the sun from harming your skin. When something natural is deemed bad for you, and the use of something chemical is pushed to "keep you safe," my inner alarms go off. Is the sun really that bad for you? Something absolutely necessary for life is actually the enemy? Or is it that maybe its the sunscreens that are the real threat?

For years we have been putting all kinds of chemicals on our skin and submitting our bodies to man made mechanisms like tanning beds. Though many studies have shown that it is the sunshine that is the main contributor to skin cancers, those studies cannot be all inclusive. Chemicals found in shampoos, lotions, make-up, sunscreens, foods we eat, and even cleaning solutions could play just as much of role. Most of the chemicals found in these products on their own have shown to cause cancer in lab rats, so why wouldn't it contribute to cancers in humans as well, especially if those were applied repeatedly or combined in daily use? Studies have also shown that people with fair skin are the most likely people to develop skin cancer form sunlight. They are also found to be the most sensitive to chemicals.

The only natural source of Vitamin D is found in sunlight. If you are going by studies, and studies alone, then you will be well informed to know that a vitamin D deficiency has been a known contributor to cancer, including skin cancer, according to studies, and most Americans are vitamin D deficient. Those same studies have also shown that getting sun without getting burned has not shown any cases in skin cancers on their own. Studies have also shown that getting a proper dose of sunshine also helps keep other ailments like colds and depression at bay.

Now that we know that sunlight is important, let's look at how we can get enough sunlight without that uncomfortable sunburn.

The best and most effective way to enjoy the sunshine and keep from getting burned is also the most healthy. It is simply a matter of beginning a routine. You simply start by going out into bright sunlight for only a few moments for the first few days, enough time to allow your skin to tan just a little without getting burned. For the extremely fair skinned, about 10 minutes a day, for example. You continue every day adding an additional few minutes to each "sunlight session" until your skin has had the amount of sun it needs to create its own immunity to the burning aspects of the sun's light. For some people this may take a couple of weeks,and for others a month or so. The time depends on a person's individual skin tones and sensitivity. Using this method, however, ven the most fair skinned person can get to a point where he can spend hours outside in the sunshine without worrying about getting burned.

It does take time, but it is the healthiest for your body, and is also the healthiest for your pocketbook. No more spending money on high dollar sun screens, your body makes it's own!