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The skin uses sunlight to help manufacture vitamin D, which is
important for normal bone formation. But sometimes its ultraviolet
light can be very detrimental.
Within the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer are cells that contain
the pigment melanin. Melanin protects skin from the sun’s
ultraviolet rays, which can burn the skin, and over time, could
reduce its elasticity and cause a person to age prematurely.
Suntanning occurs because exposure to sunlight causes the skin to
produce more melanin and to darken. The tan fades as these cells
move toward the surface and are sloughed off.
Too much exposure to ultraviolet or UV rays can cause sunburn.
UV rays penetrate the outer skin layers and pass into the deeper
layers, where they can damage or kill skin cells. People who do not
have much melanin and sun burn easily should protect themselves by
covering up sensitive areas, wearing sun block, limiting their
total exposure time, and limiting their sun exposure between the
hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Frequent and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays over many
years is the chief cause of skin cancer. Examine skin regularly for
development of suspicious growths or changes in an existing skin
lesion. Early detection and treatment are key in increasing the
cure rate for skin cancer.
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