Sunburn

UV radiation is actually a form of energy that moves at the speed of light. All such energy types are referred to as electromagnetic radiation or simply as light. The name of ultraviolet radiation actually derives from its spectrum with consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies higher than those that people identify as the colour violet (UV is situated between visible region and X-rays).

Sunburns appear when the amount of exposure to ultraviolet sources (natural or artificial) exceeds our body’s ability to protect the skin thought its protective pigment (melanin). Melanin, a compound found in the human body, is the main determinant of skin colour.

When trying to prevent sunburns, we should not try to calculate a general exposure timeframe. Normal skin colour and the time of exposure are two very important factors that determine how quickly a person is sunburned. Light-skinned persons can get sunburned in less than 20 minutes of exposure to powerful midday rays, while persons with darker skin can tolerate sun rays for hours without any problems.

Although most of us probably had the chance to “experience” sunburns some time in our life and some might not think of them as a real problem, but more like a proof of our summer vacation, we should all consider them as a real skin and health problem.

Some of the health problems caused by sunburns include: premature aging of skin, skin peeling, blisters, wrinkles, keratosis (a thickening of the superficial layer of the skin), skin burns or skin cancer.

Some of the most frequent clues that might let us know if we are near or already exceeded the sun tolerance limit are:

• Rapid pulse
• Feeling dehydrated
• Dizziness, nausea, chills, fever
• Eyes hurting and very sensitive to light
• Looking pale etc.

As for other health problems, is better to prevent sunburns than to treat them. Still, if we were caught off-guard and we suffered sunburns we should know how to treat them. In this respect, I thought it will be interesting to see what home remedies for sunburns we can use:

1. Apply lotions containing Aloe Vera (plant highly rich in amino acids – 20 of the 22 amino acids, 7 of which cannot be manufactured by the human body; plant sterols – act as powerful anti-inflammatory agents; lignin – substance that allows all plant’s nutrients to penetrate deep into the skin);
2. Take frequent cool showers and stay in cool rooms to reduce the heat sensation;
3. Drink lot of fluids to stay hydrated and accelerate the sunburn treatment
4. Vitamins (vitamin E creams – can reduce sunburn damage; increase vitamin C intake to heal sunburns faster – both vitamins have antioxidant effect)
5. Make cold chamomile compresses and add extract in your bath
6. Use baking soda or oatmeal in your bath
7. Use milk compresses or apply yogurt to the damaged skin (one of the best food and home remedy for sunburns)
8. Applying slices of cucumber or potatoes can also be used as a sunburn remedy
9. Vinegar and olive oil compresses
10. Do not touch the blisters formed from sunburn (they are body’s natural protection and can help sunburned skin to heal faster).

You may go for tanning the skin, but just remember that you must be careful about the harmful effects of sun rays. Your skin may get tanned, but you may develop side-effects like wrinkles, skin cancer or other severe skin related problems. Ultraviolet rays are very harmful to human skin and continuous exposure without any precaution can really damage your skin.

Just have a look at the following 10 simple steps and you will see how to get a perfect tan and keep your skin healthy:

1. It is better to exfoliate the skin before you start tanning. In this process, you will have to use an abrasive skin cleanser or sponge to rub off and remove the dead cells. Once the new, fresh skin gets exposure, you will get an even tan and avoid excessive burning.
2. It is very much essential to moisturize the skin before applying any tanning product. Focus on those areas where your skin may be dry or thick and apply in those areas. The areas of skin which are generally dry or thick are ankles, knees, elbows and the side of your wrists. If your skin is an oily type, you must avoid oil based moisturizers.
3. In order to avoid skin damage, you must choose the proper tanning product. It will be better if you use the sunless tanning lotion as it can give a natural tanning effect. These products need to be applied in a light and even manner as it will help the tan appear natural.
4. After giving exposure to the sun for the whole day, you must take a bath in cool water and apply some moisturizer after that. This will help your skin’s pores to close and it can help your skin glow and look healthier.
5. It is advisable to apply sunscreen and some anti wrinkle creams at the time of taking the tan. Do not think of them as obstacles for tanning, but as objects of protection from the powerful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Such creams will reduce the risk of burning and peeling and will prevent your tan from being uneven and splotchy.
6. Another common mistake is that people choose the wrong shade for their skin. Most women choose a wrong shade while choosing their self tanning lotion. If your skin is of fair type, just remember to choose the lightest possible shade and you must choose a medium skinned one if you have got skin of medium type. It is better to apply the skin tanning lotion after cleaning off the dead cells. The results will be better if it is applied on the new, fresh skin.
7. Before going for a perfect tan, it is always advisable to go for a clean shave. It will be very easy to apply the tanning lotion on the smooth skin and in the long run, your tan will also look smooth and natural. You will look more attractive in a clean shaven, glowing, and tanned skin.
8. You must be careful of the level of application of the tanning lotion. It is advisable to use it sparingly in a thin layer as it will then help to prevent the streaks and uneven blotches, which are a tell-tale sign of a fake tan. It will also prevent your skin from getting discoloured or too dark. But do not repeat the same procedure to the areas of the skin which has got thick layer.
9. After putting on the lotion, allow the skin to get dried completely and you must put on the clothes once the drying process is complete. You should also avoid any sort of strenuous activity or hard work for at least one hour after applying the sun tanning lotion. Any strenuous activity will lead to sweating as it will spoil the tan and result in steaks, which are really damaging to your skin.
10. If you do not follow the above steps, your skin may get spoiled in the long run and your looks will change if the skin on your face gets affected. In that case, you will have no option but to go for cosmetic plastic surgery.

Hopefully you will find this information useful and remember that the sun should always be an ally, not an enemy for our skin.

In this post, I thought it will be useful to focus on 3 common skin care solutions: sunblock, facial peels and Eczema cures. Let us have a glance at what these are about and how they can be used to care of your skin.

1. Sunblock

Using a sun block is very important especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. From youngsters to elders, we all need sunscreen products that should be selected considering age, skin type, purpose (daily use, intensive use) etc. Children for example, need a regular replenishment of sunscreen because they may either rub it or sweat it off after some time. Sweat-proof and water-proof sunscreens give kids durable protection during summer, when they play outdoor sports or swim.

During summer time, you should remember that the skin takes a thrashing by the hot sun. When the sweating increases, the skin loses its ability to protect itself from harmful UV rays (responsible for the painful condition of sunburn and other damaging effects on the human health). Even while you are using a high SPF sunscreen, the humidity and sweat can break the sunscreen and put you at risk.

Here are some tips for getting a good sunscreen:

1. Use sunscreens made keeping sports-use in mind – these offer exceptional and enduring sun protection for your skin;
2. Use highly water resistant and sweat resistant products, as they usually have better sunscreen durability;
3. Non-comedogenic and lightweight, lotions do well by not clogging pores or running into your eyes and causing pain;
4. Try to select a sunscreen with high SPF that offers protection for a broad-spectrum.

2. Facial Peel

In general, facial peeling can be defined as the chemical, cosmetic treatment performed by a skin specialist to lessen blemishes, light scarring, age spots, and other facial skin faults. Facial peels help in reducing wrinkles and reviving skin damaged due to sun exposure.

Creams for facial peels can be bought at drugstores or beauty shops. The cream is applied to the face and left for some minutes to work, and then it is scrubbed or rinsed off. There is a chance of allergic reactions with facial peel creams, so always test on a small patch of skin before you proceed. If you want a deeper peel, you can get guidance from a dermatologist to get referred to a professional plastic surgeon.

3. Eczema Cure

Eczema is a skin irritation distinguished by flaky, red skin that has tiny blisters or cracks sometimes. Usually, getting rid of the Eczema causes or the source of the allergy is the best way of treating Eczema. The following are some of the treatments you can try for Eczema cures:

1. Clean the place with a hypoallergenic soap and apply an emollient over the topical steroid;
2. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can be taken in pill form to reduce itching. Remember, taking Diphenhydramine may make you excessively drowsy for a brief period;
3. You can apply a (1% hydrocortisone) non-prescription steroid cream. The cream must be applied as regularly as possible without skipping until the rash disappears.

Apart from taking treatments, you should also avoid stress. See that you have a healthy diet and get good sleep. This will help you be healthy and prevent flares from appearing. And have patience; you may not get a quick response sometimes. Also, bear in mind that going that extra mile when referring to researching for the right skin care solution will always turn to your advantage.

What do you think of when you hear “you must eat healthy”!?! Do you see yourself surrounded by vegetables and fruits!?! If so, you should know that having a healthy life in terms of eating habits does not involve a focus only on vegetables and fruits. There are a lot of other interesting food categories and mixes that have a positive impact on your health and, therefore, should definitely be tried on a regular basis.

One of these categories is SEAFOOD. Although some of you might consider this as only an “exotic” food, proper only for special occasions, you should know that seafood could be a very good ingredient if introduced in your daily diet.

Seafood, besides the fact that is delicious, is a very good source of minerals, vitamins and proteins. Many seafood categories are low in cholesterol and sodium, low in fat (most of this fat is unsaturated – like omega -3 fatty acids – which is a good type of fat), rich in vitamins like A, B6 and B12 and minerals like phosphorus, iron, zinc and potassium.

Just to get you attention, I will next point out the 10 MAIN EXTRAORDINARY BENEFITS that seafood can have on our health:

1. Lower Blood Pressure
2. Reduce the Risk of Heart Diseases and Improve Heart Functions
3. Support Optimal Brain, Eyes and Nerves Development for Children
4. Provide Protection Against Bronchitis
5. Provide Protection Against Emphysema (associated with smoking)
6. Help People in Depression
7. Boost Immune System
8. Prevent Cancer
9. Prevent Osteoporosis and Arthritis
10. Lose Weight

As we can see, the influence seafood can have on our health is extraordinary. However, as for vegetables and fruits, some categories of seafood are better than others. This is why I made a selection of 5 of the most nutritious seafood out there:

1. Salmon

Salmon is a great source of the popular omega-3 fatty acids. This helps reduce risk of heart disease and prevents cancer. These types of acids also have anti-inflammatory functions, help the immune system and the brain. Half a fillet of cooked salmon (175 grams) has about 350 calories and 10 grams of fat. Other cold-water fish like mackerel and tuna are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

However, when buying your salmon, keep in mind to choose the eco-friendly and sustainable option. Avoid the Atlantic farmed one and go for the wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

2. Shellfish (mussels and oysters)

Shellfish are rich in Vitamin B12 which helps the nervous system. They also provide the body with iron and important minerals like potassium and magnesium. Three ounces (about 90 grams) of mussels give you 700 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. The same amount of oysters gives you 44% of the daily recommended value of iron. Three ounces of shellfish also contain about 130 calories and 3 grams of fat.

3. Pink Shrimps

Shrimp are rich in tryptophan and selenium. They are also a great source of protein, having a much better ratio of proteins gained with fats and calories than most foods. Four ounces of shrimp have 23 grams of protein, 112 calories and less than a gram of fat. Shrimps also provide the body with vitamins D and B12. All of these benefit the cardiovascular system and, believe or not, help reduce anxiety and depression.

4. Crabs

Besides the omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium and natural sodium, crabs are a great source of vitamin B12 and Zinc, which helps the immune system. Crabs are also low in calories and fat.

5. Sardines

The plain sardines just had to be in our top 5 list. They are the perfect example that your food doesn’t have to be expensive in order to be nutritious.

Sardines have more omega-3 acids per serving than any other food! 3 ounces (approximately 90 grams) of sardines are packed with almost 2 grams of these miracle-acids. These make them great for brain memory and performance. Also, sardines have a high level of vitamin D, which is essential in making your bones stronger.

I thought it will be interesting to create a quick list with the most important 10 health related benefits of running. Here is the list:

1. Weight Control

Most people start running because they want to control their body weight. You start loosing weight when you burn more calories than you assimilate, thus making your body turn to the fat it has stored in order to compensate the energy deficit. Running is considered to be one of the most effective exercises when it comes to burning calories. In fact, a typical runner who takes running seriously can burn up to 500 calories in less than an hour.

2. Building Up Your Bones and Muscles

There is a very strong connection between the development of our muscles, bones and effort. Muscles and bones will grow depending on the efforts required of them. By sitting at your desk all day, your bones and muscles will get weaker in time. A very good solving solution for this problem is running, because this exercise is highly demanding on your bones and muscles. Running will trigger bones to become more dense and will also help build muscle tone.

3. Heart and Blood Benefits

In response to running on a regular basis, your heart will be more healthy and your blood pressure will lower. Running also lowers your cholesterol level and reduces the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

4. Relieving Stress

It’s a proven fact that running lowers stress level. Speed running can also release anger and frustrations and can calm you down. Running long distances can help you find solutions to your problems or, even better, can make you forget about them for awhile and clear your mind for a few moments. After a running session you’ll feel better, be more optimist and have a better morale in general.

5. Building Up Self-Esteem

People who exercise by running have shown to be more confident in their own strengths. After constantly surpassing the limits of your own body, you will get stronger with every run and your self-esteem will build up. Results like loosing weight, stronger muscles or better health in general, after maintaining a rigorous running exercise program, will also make you feel better about yourself.

6. Slowing Down the Aging Process

As mentioned above, regular running exercises will make your bone and muscle structure stronger. Those who live a sedentary life will have a weaker skeleton and muscle loss, thus making them more susceptible to various diseases. Having strong bones and muscles becomes more important as you age and both will leave a mark on your looks.

7. Willpower

Running is not easy. It can be a very painful experience, especially for newcomers and that is why most people drop it after a few runs and fall to their old habits. By surpassing that pain and the temptation to just stay comfortably in your house and postponing the running session for tomorrow, you earn the determination and willpower to succeed in other areas of your life.

8. Boost Body Immunity

Running increases the number of lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells which are essential to your immune system. It also reduces the risk of diseases like breast cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

9. Better Coordination

Surprisingly enough, coordination does improve with running. Some people may be reluctant to acknowledge it, since it’s such a simple sport, but running involves coordination especially on hard terrain with small obstacles like rocks and tree roots. Experienced runners who use trails as their rout, learn how to avoid stumbling and tripping on such obstacles.

10. Sleep Better

How much and how well we sleep has a lot to say for our health. After an intense exercise like running, your body needs to recover and repair itself. It is vital that you don’t overexert yourself as this will cause a lot of damage to your body. By keeping this in mind and exercising regularly you will feel more relaxed and you will sleep more soundly and profoundly. Runners usually fall asleep quicker and stay in a deep state of sleep longer than people who aren’t very active.

Hopefully these 10 reasons will be enough for you to get your eyes of the computer, put on a pair of sneakers and go out for a quick run. Go for it!