Alligator Skin .......

I have this friend who insists on baking herself in the sun, and really, at age 54, she really does resemble a piece of leather. She says that tan skin looks better than fish-belly white skin.

Ummm, no ... skin that looks good isn't described by the viewer in terms of color, it's in terms of radiance. Whether it's pure white, bitch black, or any shade inbetween ... is irrelevant, what is relevant is how it shines, glows, the smoothness.

Daily, religiously, she lathers her skin in lotions, and has tried every kind imaginable, and insists it helps her skin to gain moistness, and prevent drying .... yet, she looks like an alligator.

Is lotion enough?

How many people close their pores up with cold water after washing everyday? Would doing this after baking in the sun prevent skin of cracking in old age?

Yet, health-wise .. a person is better off baking in the sun, than not. Insufficient solar UVB irradiance is detrimental to your health. Studies have shown that lack of Vitamin D from the sun raises the risks of cancer, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis ... while the cases of melanoma are far less, relatively, for people who actually do expose themselves to excessive sun rays.

So, if it's healthier for a person to actaully bake, yet, it ruins your skin ... what is the answer?

How can a person recieve the UV they need and still maintain beautiful, radiant skin?

Maybe I should have posted this in the health section.

there are different types of vitamin D, you can only get vitamin D3 from the sun. which is why it's unhealthy to live in an office life especially in a cold climate. i don't sunbathe so to speak, although i spend plenty of time at the beach, cycle often, and other outdoor activities.