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Skin Dear Subscribers, The conclusion of this article is coming just in time for the summer holidays (coincidence). Let’s see what we should keep in mind before the great trek to the beach. Sun tanning is the bronzing or browning of the skin due to a deposit of pigment or melanin granules around the nuclei of the epidermal and basal cells. This process of pigmentation is the most important protecting mechanism against sunburn because it prevents the over absorption of ultraviolet rays. Just as chlorophyll is formed as a light screen in plants, humans deposit a brown pigment, called melanin, when in the presence of sunlight. This pigment deposit absorbs the visible and ultraviolet rays, covert them into rays of less energy and lower vibration, and then passes them into the deeper cells of the epidermis. A combination of the infrared and ultraviolet rays will result in the deepest pigmentation. It must be understood in this context that the sun’s rays do not produce pigment; rather, they occasion its formation. Pigmentation is a physiological process, pigment being manufactured within the body from the elements of food and deposited in the skin by the process of life. The tanning process is totally dependant on the body’s ability to make use of the sun. A lack of response may commonly be seen in cases of leukoderma, where the white patches of skin fail to produce pigment. The second protective mechanism the body uses against too much sunshine is a thickening of the corneum, the upper most level of the skin. This process is undesirable, as it results in harsh, dry, coarse skin. It is largely to avoid this dryness that commercial preparations are used on the skin, but it is far wiser to avoid excessive exposure by retreating to the shade. The untanned body should begin with exposure to the solar rays of about 10 minutes a day and increase gradually until 1 hour or more may be taken without harm. Too much sun will result in restlessness and decreased tone. Additional precautions should be taken by sunbathing in the early morning or late afternoon hours to avoid large amounts of ultraviolet rays. The sunbath should be taken without glasses or hats, as the eyes and hair also benefit. Sunglasses render the eyes more sensitive to the sunlight and ultimately impair the vision. It has been found that sunlight accelerates the growth of hair. Suntan lotions should not be used as they will prevent all the ultraviolet from being absorbed and will inhibit the oil secreting glands of the body from working properly. If the sunbath is taken at the beach, additional caution must be exercised, as the reflection from the sand and water cause more sunrays to strike the body. Thus, burning will result more quickly. Neither a thin haze over the sun nor a cool breeze will prevent the ultraviolet rays from reaching us. It is important to understand in this context that it is not the sun’s heat from which we benefit ( except secondary on a cold day ), but rather its light. The hot sun is very exhausting and should be avoided, and like other animals we should instinctively seek the shade at these times. One of the most important factors for the preservation of health and the prolongation of life is to participate in regular exercise in the open air during all seasons of the year. May we wish you all a great, relaxed and sunshine holiday !!!! We will be resuming our newsletters in January 2002 and would like to wish you all a Merry Xmas and prosperous and Healthy New Year. May the year 2002 be a year of Peace, Tolerance & Harmony We also wish to thank you for your continuous support. Love from us all at The Crazy Nut