Have you wondered where that classic "just home from the beach" glow comes from? That sunkissed skin and those highlighted streaks actually have a scientific explination for their appearance after a long day in the sun. It seems a bit strange that the sun's rays could cause such opposite reactions to our skin and hair, but upon further inspection, it's really quite simple. In short, the sun's effect hingest upon the fact that skin is alive and hair is dead.
Your skin produces Melanin, a dark brown pigment designed to absorb some of the UV radiation caused by sun exposure. Hair also contains Melanin, but the Melanin in hair is destroyed by the sun.
Being that hair is dead, it cannot produce more Melanin to respond to the UV radiation and will stay lighter until new hair grows in.
Skin, on the other hand, responds by producing more Melanin and therefore, making your skin darker.
One of the best ways we can help our skin protect itself from those harmful UV rays is to, of course, diligently wear sunscreen, put a hat on when possible, and be sure to have any suspect skin spots checked regularly by a dermatologist.
Do you have a favorite sunscreen that you use? Do you prefer spray-on sunscreen or lotion? Sunscreen or sun block?
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