One of the reasons why getting exposed to the sun is warned against these days is skin cancer and the efforts that are made to try to prevent people from developing it. People are spending a lot of energy worrying about and avoiding the sun, and the body is missing vital sunlight that some research shows could help reduce skin cancer. Less than 10% of the population is actually genetically predisposed to developing skin cancer and the rest of the population is missing out on vital nutrients for the body and the brain, especially the bones benefit from sunshine. It is also said that sunshine vitamin may protect against osteoporosis, heart disease and cancers of the breast, prostate and colon.

Some scientist believe that sunshine isn’t bad for us as long as we expose ourselves to it in moderation. The recommended time of unprotected exposure to the sun is 10-15 minutes per day any time between 10 am to 3 PM according to Dr. Michael Holick.  On that note, the American Cancer Society does not support sun exposure as a way to increase vitamin D.

Vitamin D

Historically, sunshine was seen to promote healing of tissues by boosting the circulation and other direct beneficial effects arising from its rays. It’s a known fact that when your skin is exposed to sunshine, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. D vitamin is also fittingly called “the sunshine vitamin”. You can also get D vitamin from some fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks. It is hard to get an adequate amount of vitamin D from food alone, so sun exposure gives a good additional supply.

Vitamin D prevents DNA damage in the skin and in the whole body, thereby prolonging the life of the cells and eventually the person. It works as an antidote to the harmful free radicals produced in the skin by the UV Rays, which reduces skin cancer risk. In other words, Vitamin D in our bodies protects us from virtually all cancers that have been studied so far. Vitamin D gets stored in your body so you can’t overdose on it. In fact, it will stay inactive in the body until needed or when the sun is not available.

It’s important you help the body get used to staying in the sun, so after a long winter, make sure to gradually expose the skin until it is able to stay in the sun for a long time. When you can stay in the sun for a long time, the skin is able to produce Vitamin D naturally. The darker your skin is, the longer you have to spend in the sun to produce a good amount of Vitamin D.

Other Sun Benefits

Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin which is responsible for harmonizing our sleep cycles and is also a natural mood-lifting antidepressant. So being in the sun can make you feel better, lift your mood and give you more energy.

Natural After Sun Care

With mild to moderate sun exposure

After you come out of the sun:

  • Take a cool shower (not too cold) or a lukewarm bath with white cider vinegar
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Apply plenty of Aloe Vera gel (find a brand that has around 98% Aloe Vera) on exposed skin
  • Apply other natural remedies include honey, witch hazel, oatmeal and milk
  • Wear natural fabrics like cotton

For more severe sun exposure

You want to cool down the skin after you come out of the sun:

  • Take a cool shower (not too cold) or a lukewarm bath with white cider vinegar
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Apply plenty of Aloe Vera gel
  • Spray flower water with lavender essential oil in it
  • Apply yogurt on the skin
  • Spray apple cider vinegar on your skin
  • Take tea bath or add pieces of cloth soaked in tea on the exposed skin areas

You can use Silver Fox’s REJUVENATE Night Cream to boost your skin afer you have been in the sun.