Research and Reflection The Effects the Sun has on Your Skin

Questions I Asked How does sunscreen work ? How does sunscreen work ? Why do people with fair skin Why do people with fair skin burn more easily than people burn more easily than people with darker skin? with darker skin? How do we get Vitamin D from How do we get Vitamin D from the Sun, and how much should the Sun, and how much should we get? we get?

How did I find the answers to my questions? I searched keywords on Google.com, such as “sunscreen”, “melanin” and “vitamin D” I searched keywords on Google.com, such as “sunscreen”, “melanin” and “vitamin D” I chose to read reliable sources (not.com, only.edu,.org, or.gov) I chose to read reliable sources (not.com, only.edu,.org, or.gov) I took notes and found answers I took notes and found answers

Question #1: How does Sunscreen work? “Chemically-based” sunscreen absorbs UV light, scatters rays to reduce harmful effects. “Physically-based” sunscreen reflects UV rays. The best sunscreen shields against UV-B radiation (causes sunburn) and UV-A radiation (causes long-term damage).

Use a sunscreen with a high SPF (skin protection factors) frequently (reapply every two hours outside) and thoroughly (teaspoon for face, tablespoon for each limb)

Question #2: Why do people with fair skin burn more easily than people with darker skin? Fair skin has less melanin in it. Fair skin has less melanin in it. What is melanin? What is melanin? The pigment in your skin, the darker The pigment in your skin, the darker you are, the more you have. you are, the more you have. It provides some protection from It provides some protection from damaging UV rays. damaging UV rays. Therefore, with little melanin, you are less protected from the Sun. Therefore, with little melanin, you are less protected from the Sun.

This does not mean that people with darker skin should not protect their skin! Too much sun exposure can damage anyone’s skin.

Question #3: How do we get Vitamin D from the Sun, and how much do we need? When we are exposed to UV rays, your body produces Vitamin D. When we are exposed to UV rays, your body produces Vitamin D minutes of sunlight exposure a day will provide you with the daily recommendation of Vitamin D minutes of sunlight exposure a day will provide you with the daily recommendation of Vitamin D. You can also get Vitamin D by eating/drinking milk, fatty fish, fish oil, or Vitamin D supplements. You can also get Vitamin D by eating/drinking milk, fatty fish, fish oil, or Vitamin D supplements.

In conclusion, a small amount of direct sunlight is beneficial to your skin and your health, but a large amount of it can be harmful.

My Resources About, Inc “Vitamin D: What is it, and what are some sources?” d.htm About, Inc “Vitamin D: What is it, and what are some sources?” d.htm d.htm d.htm CI&A Publications. 5/2/06 “Intermediate Level Science”. CI&A Publications. 5/2/06 “Intermediate Level Science”. MayoClinic. 07/06 “SkinCancer” cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=4 MayoClinic. 07/06 “SkinCancer” cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=4 cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=4 cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=4 National Cancer Institute. 4/21/05 “Skin Cancer Treatment” patient National Cancer Institute. 4/21/05 “Skin Cancer Treatment” patient patient patient

More Resources I Used National Institute of Health. 8/5/05 “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D”. supplements.info.nih.gov/fa ctsheets/vitamind.asp National Institute of Health. 8/5/05 “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D”. supplements.info.nih.gov/fa ctsheets/vitamind.asphttp://dietary- supplements.info.nih.gov/fa ctsheets/vitamind.asphttp://dietary- supplements.info.nih.gov/fa ctsheets/vitamind.asp “Sunscreen”. September “Sunscreen”. September The University of the State of New York. “Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology” March The University of the State of New York. “Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology” March 1996.