Let The Sun Shine In

The sun has always been worshiped. Not just the commonplace devotion of boomers slathered in baby oil (Oh, the 70s!) – or even the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. I’m talking zealots like the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs; a happy trio who believed the sun stayed aloft only because they performed human sacrifices.

Leading us to respond either: ‘Thank You’ or ‘Ewwwww.’

The sun is a force to be reckoned with – both on its merits and detriments. In the plus column the sun increases levels of serotonin in the brain – ah, that happy feeling – and it often improves our sleep. Plus its #1 claim to fame is producing Vitamin D, thereby insuring strong bones.

But the list of the sun’s negative attributes must start with: skin cancer. Just five serious sunburns increase your chances of developing melanoma by 80%! And unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light can damage the retina and be a factor in cataract development.

Plus the significant increase in wrinkles and the appearance of dry, leathery skin since UV light damages both collagen and elastin.

So, let’s review how to both respect the sun and our health:

• Apply a sunscreen of at least 20 SPF, broad spectrum to protect from both UVA and UVB rays, year-round. (American Academy of Dermatology recommends a 30 SPF)
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors, and then reapply every two hours, even when it’s cloudy.
• Avoid sunscreens and sunblocks that include pest repellent – those chemicals can be dangerous to your skin and health.
• Avoid the sun when it’s the strongest, typically 11am to 3pm.
• Avoid tanning beds, they offer double doses of damage.
• Wear protective clothing, including sunglasses with UV protective lenses and a broad-brimmed hat whenever you’re in the sun for an extended period of time.
• Seek shade when possible.
• Remember: Sunburn = skin damage!

The Deep offers plenty of options, depending on your skin type, to keep you safe and ready to enjoy the warm rays of summer. Because the rallying cry: Safety First! is definitely our mantra.

Maybe sun celebrations (sacrifices included) should be left in the past? Or in the hands of the music industry. Because even the briefest peek into modern music shows us sun references are robust across a huge swath of genres. Don’t feel compelled to read them all – but this short list does make a case that sun worship is still thriving.
Ain’t no Sunshine (when she’s gone) – Bill Withers
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – 5th Dimension
Automatically Sunshine – The Supremes
Behind the Sun – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Black Sun – Death Cab for Cutie
Blame It on the Sun – Phil Collins
Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
California Sun – The Ramones
Captain Sunshine – Neil Diamond
Chasing the Sun – Sara Bareilles
Closer to the Sun – Heart
Cold Day in the Sun – Foo Fighters
Don’t Be Sad ‘cause Your Sun is Down – James Taylor
Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’ – Ray Charles; and Etta James
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – Elton John
Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) – Baz Luhrmann
Every Time the Sun Comes Up – Sharon VanEtten
Fat Old Sun – Pink Floyd
Fly Into the Sun – Lou Reed
Follow the Sun – Del Shannon
Hard Sun – Eddie Vedder
Hello Sunshine – Bruce Springsteen
Here Comes the Sun – George Harrison
Holidays in The Sun – Sex Pistols
House of the Rising Sun – The Animals (but originally a folk song)
I got the Sun in the Mornin’ (and the Moon at Night) – Irving Berlin
I’ll Follow the Sun – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Into the Sun – The Parlor Mob
Invisible Sun – The Police
Island in the Sun – Weezer; and Ringo Starr
Just Another Sundown – Toby Keith