If you’re looking for holidays in Spain or other sunny destinations there are a wealth of great value offers available from the likes of onthebeach.co.uk. If you’re taking a holiday somewhere sunny this year however remember to take special care of your skin. Travelling Brits and people from other cold climates can often be the most reckless, as they see their ten day vacation as their one chance to get a tan. If this is you, you should at least be fully aware of the risks associated with exposing your body to the sun’s rays.

As the body’s protective cover, the skin is incredibly important. It is made up of three layers – epidermis, dermis and fat. The top layer, the epidermis, is the result of a continual process of living cells being pushed to the surface. Once skin cells reach the epidermis level, they produce keratin (which protects us from extreme temperatures). They also become harder, drier, and begin to produce melanin – the pigment which protects – to some extent – our bodies from burning on exposure to the sun. It is the over-production of melanin which appears as a tan.

The reason we need this protection is to allow us time to produce vitamin D – something our bodies do on exposure to the sun. Even in grey countries like Scotland, 20 minutes outside every day is more than enough to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D. Naturally, the closer to the equator you get the less time you need.

It’s vital to keep in mind that a ‘suntan’ is a sun-damaged epidermis. Skin exposed to too many of the sun’s UV rays can develop freckles and rashes. In the short term, this means the reddening and pain associated with sunburn. This can go as far as second-degree burns.

And in the long term, your risk of skin cancer is increased with repeated exposure to the sun. UV radiation exposure ages the skin, accelerating the drying, wrinkling dullness associated with getting older. It also increases changes in the skin pigment known as ‘age spots’.

The best advice for avoiding premature aging of the skin, and decreasing your risk of skin cancer, is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Luckily, for most Britons, this isn’t a problem. The biggest risk is the annual vacation in the sun, so make sure you take plenty of sunscreen, and don’t lie in the sun for more than an hour without replenishing your covering. – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel guide to Europe

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