Sun is necessary for health, but pay attention to skin protection!

Cyprus International University (CIU), Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. Yasemin Yazan stated that since 2018, the principle of protection from harmful sunrays has been maintained by the cosmetics industry with the slogan "Look Good, Feel Good" and went on to say, "The sun is necessary for a healthy human body, but is harmful to the human body when it gets too much”.

Stating that this situation can be considered as luck for countries such as the TRNC that mostly experiences sun throughout the year, Yazan reminded that visible signs of the sun’s harmful effects upon the skin that covers the body appear as early aging, as well as loss of moisture and flexibility. Prof. Dr. Yazan also pointed out that it has been scientifically proven that it damages skin proteins and DNA, and skin burns, and different types of skin cancer can be seen in more advanced stages.

Reminding that the belief that sun products should only be used during the summer is wrong, Yazan stated that it is important to have sunscreen ingredients in all daily used cosmetic products.

Stating that after the age of 25 the skin loses its flexible texture 1% every year, Prof. Dr. Yazan advised that products containing active sunscreen should be used continuously for the appearance of healthy and younger looking skin.

Stating that the main source providing Vitamin D for the body is the sun, Yazan stated that vitamin D can also be obtained from foods such as fish, liver and milk, but very little is absorbed.

Indicating that vitamin D deficiency affects 40% of children and 60% of adults in the world, Yazan said, “There is a contradiction between vitamin D deficiency being due to low sun exposure and protection from harmful sunrays”.

In response to the question of whether we should have a better relationship to sun exposure for the synthesis of vitamin D or should we protect the skin from harmful sunlight, Yazan said that sunscreen products today aim to protect against long-term damage, such as skin aging and skin cancers, rather than short-term sunburn protection.