Dear Friends,
Just a brief message.

Summer is approaching with much more intense sunlight. Over-exposure to the sun is very harmful to the skin; not only will it wrinkle your skin and make it look like boot leather,
but it does cause a very serious form of skin cancer, called Melanoma. Protect yourself by wearing a sun hat, use sunscreen and avoid lying on the beach, uncovered, for a long time.

The sun's rays are also damaging to the eyes and may lead to irreversable loss of vision as one gets older. If possible wear a good pair of ultraviolet protective sunglasses while in the sun.

All this does not mean that one should avoid the sun completely; the right amount provides us with vitamin D, and cures some forms of depression which is related to lack of sunlight in certain countries. Just be sensible.

Have fun in the sun, be careful and have a good summer.

Thank you.
This is good information. We have to be careful in the sun; it is easy to get burnt.
It is important to have good sunglasses if you drive or spend a lot of time outside.

Vicky

Thank you for this information.

I ruined my eyesight when I lived in North Africa and did not use proper eye protection.
I have lost quite a lot of eyesight, and the cause is overexposure to the sun. I need someone to help me post and read things on the computer. I agree, take care in the sun.

Gisele

Thank you for the reminder. I have had a few nasty sunburns and I keep forgetting my sunglasses at home.

Sue

Sunny days are here, and I feel the strength of the sun's rays. Let us remember our sunscreen if we spend a long time walking or gardening etc...
and put on your sunglasses.

Sunshine, although essential for health and wellbeing, is certainly a hazard for the skin.

This information is from the Mayo clinic:

Sun damage builds over time
You may walk away from the beach with a suntan, but that's not all you're getting. Excessive sun exposure is responsible for much of the skin damage associated with aging. This damage accumulates slowly over time and starts at an early age. Much of the skin damage is merely cosmetic, but some effects, such as skin cancer, are more serious.


Love,
Vicky

Thanks for bringing back this post Vicky.

The sun's rays are already quite strong, and you are right, we need protection.

Avoid being in the sun without protection, and do not use sunlamps. If you're going to be in the sun for any length of time, wear clothes made from tight-woven cloth so the sun's rays can't get through to your skin, and stay in the shade when you can. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck and ears.

Remember that clouds and water won't protect you--60% to 80% of the sun's rays can get through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water. The sun's rays can also reflect off of water, snow and white sand.