The effects of sunlight on the body are very diverse. On the one hand, the sun is known as a natural source of vitamin E which is good for skin health. On the other hand, excessive sun exposure can also cause various health problems.
Many people often stay away from the sun for various reasons, ranging from not wanting to be hot, afraid of black spots appearing on the skin or making skin dull, to preventing premature aging.
In fact, sunlight does not need to be completely shunned. This is because the effects of sunlight, especially the morning sun, are very important for the health of the body.
After all, the bad effects of sunlight usually only appear when you are exposed to the sun too often or are often active in the sun in the long term.
The Positive Effects of Sunlight on the Body
From a medical point of view, the sun's rays have various health benefits. Following are some of the benefits:
Stimulates the production of vitamin D
Ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by sunlight are not always harmful. Sunlight is known to stimulate the production of vitamin D, which is an important nutrient for health, especially to help absorb calcium and maintain bone health.
Vitamin D is also known to be important for keeping the immune system strong. Thus, you will avoid the risk of contracting infectious diseases, including Corona virus infection.
To get the effect of the sun, you are advised to bask in the sun around 9:00 to 10:00 am or after 16:00 pm for approximately 15-20 minutes. Sunbathe 3 times a week and don't forget to wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 35.
Supports the treatment of several diseases
The following are some diseases that can be prevented or possibly treated with sunlight:
1. Rickets
This disease causes children's bones to soften because they don't get enough calcium. Rickets often occurs due to a lack of vitamin D. With the help of exposure to UV radiation from the sun, the body can stimulate vitamin D naturally, so that rickets can be prevented.
2. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin disease that makes the skin discolored due to a lack of skin pigment or melanin. This disease cannot be cured, but it can be treated so that it does not get worse. To treat vitiligo, doctors can provide drugs and UV light therapy.
3. Psoriasis
This disease is a skin disease caused by an autoimmune disorder. Psoriasis can make the skin scaly, dry, and easy to peel. People who have psoriasis also usually get dandruff easily and experience itching.
Psoriasis is not completely cured, but psoriasis treatment can reduce symptoms and prevent psoriasis from getting worse. This disease can be treated with drugs and UV light therapy.
4. Lupus vulgaris
This disease is also called skin tuberculosis. Lupus vulgaris can produce large ulcers on the face and neck. The disease is usually treated with antituberculosis drugs and ultraviolet B or UVB light therapy.
5. Jaundice in babies
Not only good for adults, sunlight is also good for children and babies. Sunlight is known to treat jaundice in babies.
However, when you want to dry the baby, don't forget to wear a hat and clothes that can protect his body, and avoid sunbathing for too long. Limit sunbathing time to no more than 10-15 minutes.
For babies aged over 6 months, you can provide special sunscreen for children when they want to dry them.
Negative Effects of Sunlight on the Body
Behind the benefits, excessive sun exposure can also cause health problems, such as:
1. Burnt skin
The skin can burn or experience sunburn if too long basking in the sun, usually when sunbathing for more than 15–30 minutes.
To prevent this bad effect from the sun, you need to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 35 or more according to your skin type and condition, and wear a head covering and clothing that covers the entire body surface.
2. Premature aging of the skin
Not only burning the skin, the habit of too often basking in the sun can also cause premature aging of the skin. This can make the skin look dry and dull, as well as wrinkles and dark spots or blemishes appear.
3. Eye injury
Too long in the sun can also cause eye injury. This is because UV rays in sunlight can damage the cornea of the eye, causing blurred vision.
Excessive sun exposure can also cause various other eye disorders, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and melanoma eye cancer.
4. Skin cancer
Another harmful effect of the sun is that it causes skin cancer. When the skin is exposed to excessive sunlight, skin cells will be damaged quickly. In the long term, skin cells that are often exposed to sunlight also have the potential to turn into dangerous cancer cells.
This effect is more risky for people who often bask in the sun without using sunscreen.
Sunlight in the right amount saves a variety of benefits that are important for the health of the body. However, if the exposure is excessive, sunlight can also have a harmful effect.
If you experience certain skin complaints or problems due to the effects of sunlight, such as dry skin, redness and soreness, or black spots appear on the skin that quickly spread, you should consult a doctor so that these conditions can be treated immediately.