Embrace the Light: Unlocking the Powerful Benefits of Sun Exposure
You should not fear the sun âŠ
Instead, be careful and tan mindfully. While also considering all the lifestyle factors which influence how your body responds to sun exposure. Also, if you have problems getting tanned in the face, The Invigo Face Balm might help!đ
However⊠before I start mentioning all the benefits of tanning mindfully, I have to tell you about the immense benefits of being in the sun during sunrise and sunsetâlike the dopaminergic effects, alignment of your circadian rhythm which will optimize your sleep & decrease cortisol; or the skin reparation occurring thanks to the near infrared light.
Likewise, when UV index is 0, in the darker months, itâs so risk free and high reward to just be in the sun, go for a walk etc, as itâs not every day the sunâs out nâ shining during winter, you know. Itâs crucial for being happier & healthier during the darker months.
Another thing to mention is the common misconception that the sun is aging for your skin and causes wrinkles. The ironic thing is that itâs actually the opposite. How you ask? Well, the thing is that the sun is only aging to your skin if you overdo it, so obviously if you burn your skin and it falls off, thatâs obviously not anti-aging, but if you do it in moderation, like all things should be doneâit will only be beneficial for your skin, as it turns on all repair processes, regenerates your skin, stimulates collagen production, and more. You can also increase your skins sun-tolerance thorugh diet- and lifestyle tweaks.
With that being said, donât fear the sunâgo get that healthy tan and look young, vibrant and beautiful! Avoiding the sun entirely is about as dangerous as smoking regularly⊠thatâs not something youâd want, right? If you donât wanna take our word for it, maybe go ask RFK Jr. âŠ
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR ENERGY & THE SUN
One of our very viral X-posts about the connection between the sun & homeostasis
Exposing yourself to the sun with careful thought, and without getting burned, will only have positive effects on your health, actually very much of a positive effect... more than you might think!
Like most already know, the sun is the most easily accessible source for an abundance of Vitamin D, which is amongst the most important vitamins for your body. Why would it be hazardous and dangerous if it has that incredible benefit? One hour in UV4 likely gives you more Vitmain D than you currently get from your diet, over a whole weekâŠ
Getting burned in the sun is obviously what you want to avoid⊠you also want to avoid the use of unnatural, artificial, chemical, synthetic SPF sunscreen products, as they will damage your skin barrier, and enter your bloodstream, which will then cause havoc in the rest of your body âŠ
The vast majority of all sunscreen products on the market today contain many artificial compounds, chemicals which are proven to be hazardous, when applied to the skin. A large portion of them enter your bloodstream, through the skin, and then other parts of your body. For instance, your organs, which you can imagine isnât a good thing âŠ
They contain compounds which are linked to an increased risk of cancer, amongst other diseases⊠Isnât it ironic, they tell you to wear sunscreen to avoid skin cancer, but really all it does (if itâs not a natural & mineral based sunscreen), is increase your risk of getting cancer (provided you are not in the habit of burning yourself in the sun) ⊠Â
This wide spread problem with artificial sunscreen being hazardous is the exact reason why we have plans on releasing a fully natural, mineral based and non-toxic (also very effectiveđ«Ą) sunscreen in the future. If you are to use sunscreen, get a mineral based sunscreen, with as little unnatural ingredients as possible in it.
When you have no tan (in spring or on a winter vacation for example), the key to healthy sun exposure lies in slowly exposing yourself more and more to the sun, until you have built a âbase tanâ. As time goes by, we will also put out more information on lifestyle and diet tweaks which you can make to increase your tanning ability.
Did you know?Â
Getting really tanned is equivalent to: a natural SPF protection (up to SPF 4/5) and potentially even a reserve source of energy for your body. Some studies suggest melanin could have the capacity to absorb energy from light and convert it to a form usable by the body. Imagine your gradual tanning in the spring, or on a semester, as a way of building up your own SPF, naturally, without the use of any sunscreen products.
When having built your maximum natural SPF (you're fully tanned), it will be much harder to get burnt in the sun⊠although, you should of course always be mindful of the amount of sun you expose your skin to. You donât need sunscreen unless you're gonna be in the sun for an extended period of time (of course depending on several factors), during peak sun hours - you instead need to know how much sun your skin can tolerate, without getting burned. You also need to increase its tolerance, which be teach in the above linked blog post of ours, on "diet & lifestyle tweaks" ...
The author of this blog post had "chronic sun eczema", since birth, so they know⊠before their skin would get burned in the spring, they would always get eczema through red rashes on their hands and forearms, primarily, but also in places like their knee bands, when they were younger (yes, itâs possible to get rid of "chronic" eczema) âŠ
More Positive Benefits of The Sun
The sun has a significant impact on various biological & neurological processes.
Moisture to The Skin
When in the sun long enough, so that your body gets warm, your body will produce sebum, which moisturizes your skin, and thus helps prevent burned skin, and much more.Â
When tanning in the sun without getting burned, all while getting natural sebum production thanks to the sun - you are part taking in one of the easiest and greatest activities there is for your health. The Sun is Your Friend!
This sebum production serves as a protective mechanism for the skin. Not only does it naturally moisturize your skin so that it stays hydrated, it even acts as a barrier function which protects the skin from excessive UV damage and other environmental factors. The sebum also contains antioxidant properties. This can help neutralize free radicals generated by UV radiation, thereby reducing oxidative stress and potential damage to the skin. Some components of the sebum has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to soothe and protect the skin from irritation and inflammation caused by sun exposure -Â
All of these positive and protective effects which your own sebum has on the skin, are the same effects which The Invigo Face Balm can have on your skin (among other positive effects). Why you might ask⊠well, because the ingredients in it have very similar composition to that of your skins own sebum (almost 99%).Â
On a side note: sebum production is not the same as sweat, itâs more of an oily substance (primarily fats) as opposed to sweat being primarily water. Sweating is also good as it detoxifies your body. If your sweat smells bad - you donât have Homeostasis (balanced and optimized biology, hormonal harmony). For instance, you likely donât have adequate Mg levels, as they contribute to sweat not smelling bad.
Skin Reparation on a Cellular Level
The sun, particularly UV radiation, can both damage and help repair skin cells.
Damage: UVB radiation can cause direct DNA damage in skin cells, leading to sunburns and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Just avoid sunburn and youâre good.
Repair: The skin has a natural repair mechanism where it can produce enzymes like photolyases that help repair UV-induced DNA damage. Sun exposure can also stimulate the production of Vitamin D, which is essential for skin health and repair.
Cellular Repair, Regeneration & Renewal
The sun plays a dual role here.
Light (red) Spectrum Effects
Red and near-infrared light have specific biological effects that are beneficial for cellular functions.
Mitochondrial Activity
The sun, particularly its red and near-infrared light components, affects mitochondrial activity.
Enhancement: Red and near-infrared light can penetrate cells and stimulate the mitochondria, increasing ATP production. This boosts cellular energy and can improve overall cell function and repair processes.
Oxidative Stress: Excess UV radiation, on the other hand, can cause mitochondrial damage and increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and potential cell damage.
Hormonal Balance
Conclusion
It's all about balance. Moderate and controlled sun exposure has several beneficial effects on biological processes, including skin repair, cellular regeneration, mitochondrial function, and hormonal balance. However, excessive exposure, particularly to UV radiation, can lead to harmful effects such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Seeking shade during peak sun hours can be the key for not getting burned, and instead building up to a healthy tan, if you: have sensitive skin, if you don't have a naturally built up SPF protection in the skin or (natural, mineral based) sunscreen applied. These methods can help mitigate the potential negative effects of excessive sun exposure, and instead allow the body to benefit from the sun's positive influences.
However, have you heard of this thing called grounding, which combined with sun exposure can supercharge your health in so many ways!? Grounding is when your body is in contact with earth. If you want to learn more about grouding, check out our blog post on it's benefits, and how to do it.
But remember, none of this is health or medical advice. Always consult with your professional health expert, or medical professional, before making any decisions regarding health or medicine. If you were to implement any of the information given in this blog post, or on our website, you do so at your own risk. Â
Hope you have a great time in the sun! âïž