Everyone likes to be tanned, and it also helps hide any slight imperfections that are much more visible on pale skin. Whether those imperfections are real or only exist in our minds is another matter: a healthy body is not necessarily ready for a photoshoot. Nonetheless, a suntan often makes one feel more attractive and sexier.
Sunbathing: when and how much?
It is worth taking care when sunbathing because, while undeniably pleasant, it poses a number of risks. We have gathered below all the important information you need to know.
Sunbathing – The benefits
- Necessary for producing vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential not only for the bones but also to help our immune system operate at full capacity. This vitamin, which is so important for our bones, is supplied in sufficient quantities by eggs, fish and oily seeds, and by the Sun through the skin, as it is produced by our bodies in response to being exposed to sunlight. Because our diets contain only trace amounts of vitamin D, its primary source is the sun.
- Prevents osteoporosis: This benefit is also related to producing vitamin D. Vitamin D3 helps the absorption and disposition of calcium and folic acid, which are essential for keeping bones healthy.
- May aid weight loss: Abnormalities in the thyroid, especially hypothyroidism, often result in weight gain. The UV light emitted by the sun stimulate the thyroid, improving metabolism. A healthy metabolism, in turn, can help achieve a healthy weight.
- Improves mood: Sunlight also helps fight depression, and improves mood. There is a biological explanation for this: sunlight stimulates the production of endorphin, also known as the ‘happiness hormone’. As the name suggests, it simply helps you feel better.
- It disinfects: The sun sanitises through killing bacteria and germs. This is also why you should also dry your clothes in the sun whenever possible. Sunlight kills the bacteria found on the surface of the skin, and can even help certain skin conditions improve.
Sunbathing at Mirabella Camping’s private beach in Zamárdi
The dangers of sunbathing
- It is carcinogenic: Large doses of the UV in sunlight can be detrimental to health, causing premature skin ageing and benign as well as malignant tumours. Two of the three types of UV radiation are carcinogenic, and spending a long time in the sun will expose you these as well as to the benefits listed above.
- It burns the skin: Sunlight contains UV rays, which burn the skin. UVA rays are emitted all day long, and penetrate glass, so it is much more difficult to protect yourself against them. They do lose some of their strength during the late morning and the afternoon, so it is worth scheduling your sunbathing to these times of the day.
- It ages the skin: The sun’s UVA rays are also responsible for skin ageing because they damage collagen fibres, which are responsible for keeping skin tight. In addition, healthy skin needs vitamin A, but sunlight has a negative effect on it. Excessive exposure to the sun can also lead to developing certain skin problems, moles and age spots.
- May lead to the development of melanoma: Melanoma is the malignant overproduction of pigment-producing cells. As moles contain higher levels of pigment, they are associated with the development of melanoma. As UV light is carcinogenic, exposing these cells to excessive amount of sunlight may even contribute to developing melanoma.
- It may damage eyesight: Large quantities of UV light can contribute to developing cataracts, and may even cause cancer not only on the eyelids but also within the eyes themselves. It can also cause a thickening of the conjunctiva, which covers the white of the eye, and may also infect the cornea, causing recurring inflammations and distorting light diffraction on the surface of the eye. UV light has also been linked to age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
What is the best time to sunbathe?
Sunbathing is both enjoyable and good for you, but it must be done with moderation and with care. Considering all of the above information, we recommend you mostly keep to the shade of the trees around the campsite between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm.
Mirabella Camping Zamárdi has all a sun-lover could want, with direct access to Lake Balaton. The campsite also offers extensive green spaces as well as restaurants and snack bars where you can enjoy a cool drink in the shade after sunbathing. 😀