The effects from ultraviolet light from the sun can disrupt the skin's genetic material or DNA and alter the way chemicals are made from skin cells. The damaging effects may include sunburn, skin aging, wrinkling and skin cancer. The skin usually...
More people have skin cancer than any other type, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Nearly 20 percent of people living in the United States will develop skin cancer at some point. To reduce your skin cancer risk, limit sun exposure,...
Certain herbal remedies may be helpful in treating your arthritis symptoms. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, arthritis is usually caused by inflammation of the tissue that lines your joints....
Vitamin D, which is actually a collection of five compounds, is essential for strong immunity, healthy bones and normal cognition. However, due to indoor lifestyles, concerns of skin cancer and dietary factors, vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic...
Skin care is making sure the largest organ in your body is well taken care of. It involves replacing the oils your skin loses when it is washed so it can look and feel good. Your skin's job is to keep bacteria out of your body and anything else...
Calcium is a mineral that helps strengthen your bones. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet or with calcium supplements, your body will take what it needs from your bones, causing them to become weak, brittle or soft. If left unchecked, a...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that your body naturally synthesizes from sun exposure. Being deficient in vitamin D increases your risk of bone disorders, and it can possibly worsen skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. If you have...
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer. Squamous cells live in your epidermis, or the outer layer of your skin. Too much exposure to the sun's rays may cause squamous cell carcinoma to develop over time. Research shows that people...
Malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, originates in cells that produce the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin, hair and eyes. Melanomas can appear as black, brown, red, purple, pink, blue or white moles or...
Selenium is a mineral that lives in the soil and is taken up by plants. When you eat selenium-containing plants, your body absorbs some of the selenium and uses it for some essential functions. Though selenium is an important mineral for health,...
According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, perceptions are influenced by perceptions of beauty in cultures around the world, and lighter skin is usually preferable to darker skin. An article in Psychology Today suggests that people might...
The prostate is a male reproductive gland located underneath the bladder and close to the urethra. The prostate is responsible for making all the components of semen, with the exception of sperm. Prostate diseases often produce few or no symptoms...
Sometimes called the "sunshine vitamin," many people think of vitamin D as the nutrient they absorb from the sun. The sun rays themselves don't actually contain any vitamin D; instead, skin that is penetrated by specific ultraviolet rays works to...
Sun Tanning
But First, Some Sun History
It was over 400 years ago that Copernicus declared that the sun was the center of our universe. Throughout history, the human race has had a special relationship with the sun. Primitive societies in every...
Skin Cancer
Every year, nearly 1 million people in the United States learn that they have skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, Australia and South Africa....