Here comes the sun!

Ah, summer! Time to pack away the long johns and the woolens—and slip into a long-sleeved shirt and pants, to cower in the shade under your extra-wide brimmed tight-weave sun hat while you reminisce about the days when sun-burn, skin-damage and cancer did not damper the spirit of the season. Take heart, fellow sun-worshippers, there are still natural ways to have your sun and enjoy it too!

To put things in perspective, the long-sleeved shirt and pants are still a great idea when you are puttering in the garden or enjoying a backyard barbecue with friends. The ensemble is not going to work, however, if you want to savor an afternoon at the beach or lounge by the pool. You’ll have to find another way to protect your exposed skin, and that comes in the form of sunscreen.

First of all, you need to know that some commercial sunscreens contain ingredients that are proven in studies to mutate into toxic substances when exposed to sunlight. Because some mutagens could be carcinogenic, various sunscreen options may protect against sunburn while increasing the risk of sunlight-related cancers. As well, while most products broadcast their ability to protect against burning UVB rays, be aware that UVA rays also burn and are responsible for skin aging. You’ll want to do some homework, and learn to read labels. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that sunscreen allows you unlimited time in the sun, or that reapplying extends the length of time you can soak up the rays—because it does not.

Fortunately, there is much that you can do to protect yourself from the sun with products that you already have in the kitchen, coupled with a little bit of sun savvy. Studies confirm that applying vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) to the skin protects against UVB radiation, decreases the development of cancer, and helps to reverse signs of skin photoaging. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) applied topically has proven to protect against sun-burn, limit sun-induced DNA damage, speed healing of sun-burned skin, and is useful to delay the onset of skin tumours as well as reduce wrinkling caused by UVB rays. Research also confirms that the green tea polyphenol epigallacatechin-3-gallate protects against oxidative cellular and genotoxic damage from UVA radiation. A 2003 study also supports the topical application of zinc, silymarin, and soy isolflavones to boost sunscreen and anti-carcenogenic skin protection. You can also follow the lead of Hawaiians who have been using the natural sunscreen properties of coconut oil to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays for centuries!

What you put inside your body also impacts your ability to avoid a painful burn, or worse. Because cell-damaging free radicals are a natural by-product of exposure to the sun, you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate antioxidants in a varied diet to keep them at bay. Harvard Medical School research indicates that the antioxidant lutein found in dark green leafy vegetables can protect skin from some of the damaging effects of the sun. Combined dietary supplementation of vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene may build your defenses against sun damage as well.

There are also certain foods you should avoid before you head for the great outdoors. Citrus fruits, lichens and figs along with some wild herbs and plants including fennel, dill, celery and buttercup contain psoralens, which actually amplify the effects of a sun-burn. Likewise, some medications also trigger photosensitivities, causing toxic or allergic reaction. Always read package insert information or ask your pharmacist about possible interaction with the sun before taking diuretics, anti-histamines, arthritis medication and antibiotics. Remember that some ingredients in shampoos, cosmetics, perfumes, after-shaves, hair sprays, and even contact lens solutions may react with sunlight. You should also save your favourite frosty alcoholic beverage for a time when you are out of sun’s reach, as alcohol dehydrates skin, making it more susceptible to burning. Instead, remember that keeping your skin adequately hydrated with pure, filtered water will help to prevent damage and improve healing whether you are in the sun or not.

Here comes the sun, as the song goes, and it’s alright.