Summer is the right weather for your crop tops and shorts, but there is a fear of the severe heat and harsh sun’s rays that don’t treat the skin right. Talk about long days of heat waves and scorching sun during your work, and it isn’t like getting a tan on a Goa beach! The harsh UV rays, humidity and sweat keep testing your patience!

It is crucial to understand how the sun’s rays could affect the skin and what can be done to avoid the damage.

– Sunburn: The sun’s rays comprise different rays; some are beneficial to us, and some cause harm. The ultraviolet rays are of three types, UVA, UVB and UVC. Our body can tackle ultraviolet rays by producing melanin. However, on continuous exposure to the sun, some of the rays penetrate inside the skin layer and cause sunburn, which causes redness of the skin, itching and lumps too.

– Ageing of skin: Overexposure to the sun makes your skin dull and leathery. The harmful UVA rays that penetrate the skin kill the cells and stop the production of collagen, leading to formation of lines and wrinkles.

– Dryness: Different skin types react differently to external stimuli. Our skin consists of 64% water, secretion of sebaceous oil and minerals and nutrients which keep it hydrated and healthy. Hence, being out in the sun for a long time can lead to dry skin and cause dark patches and allergies on the skin.

– Skin cancer: Skin cancer can happen to anyone; the melanin in our body tackles the sun rays, forms vitamin D and causes tanning. Sometimes the patches, moles and irregular formations can be a sign of skin cancer. It is healthy to consult your doctor to detect the early signal.

– Reducing immune capabilities: When the human body faces too much sun-exposure, the white blood cells (WBC) get triggered and jump in to combat the antigens. This rush of many WBC at a particular spot leaves the other body parts vulnerable.

You can’t hide yourself because of the sun. Instead, follow some measures like carrying an umbrella, wearing full sleeves, covering the rough patches, using sunscreen of SPF40 and above, and avoiding direct contact with sun rays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm when sun rays are very harsh.