Is it harmful to sunbathe topless
Text: Karina Sembe
In the early 60s of the last century, Brigitte Bardot already sunbathed topless, and the appearance of a monokini - a swimsuit consisting of panties with thin braid - in 1964 marked the triumph of freedom at all. Today, women are becoming more liberated in relation to their body and, contrary to condemnation and greasy views, can afford to expose any part of it, including sunbathing topless.
The development of breast tumors has so far failed to associate with any of the environmental carcinogens
True, in recent years, the trend has seriously declined in Europe and in particular in France, where it all began. In the latest IFOP survey, only 2% of French women aged 18 to 24 are ready to appear on the beach without a bikini top - not only for moral reasons, but also because of concerns about the risk of breast cancer. Such caution is not without reason, but the relationship between topless sunbathing and the development of breast cancer is not yet fully understood.
Despite the rapid progress of science, in biology and medicine there are still lots of white spots. The etiology of breast cancer is currently not well investigated: unlike lung cancer or bladder cancer, the development of breast tumors cannot be convincingly associated with any of the environmental carcinogens. At the same time, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, affecting on average every tenth woman between the ages of 13 and 90 (for men, cases of the disease are less than 1%).
Risk factors are different - from hereditary mutations in the genes and diabetes mellitus to smoking and the use of exogenous hormones. To date, scientists do not claim that exposure to sunlight is the immediate cause of the development of a malignant tumor of the glandular breast tissue. Moreover, there are studies indicating a link between vitamin D deficiency and the development of breast cancer. A group of biochemists from the University of New Jersey believes that a sufficient amount of vitamin D in the body reduces the risk of the formation of mamma spheres and reduces the severity of cancer stem cell markers.
Whatever it was, in the careless pursuit of tan useful little. It is scientifically proven that the sun's rays affect the occurrence of skin cancer (we recently found out exactly how). In addition to the natural protective reaction of the skin in the form of hyperpigmentation and keratinization, radiation can cause premature aging of the skin and uncontrolled growth of atypical cells, which entails the risk of benign and malignant tumors. Basal cell and squamous carcinomas in most cases occur mainly on the head, neck and hands, that is, in areas of the skin that are most often exposed to solar radiation. The skin on the breast is much thinner and more sensitive, especially in the area of the nipple and areola. Ironically, the skin of the mammary glands is particularly helpless before the sun's rays, including because they are usually hidden from them for a year, which means that melanin was delivered to the epithelial cells of this skin area in order to protect us from exposure the sun.
5 minutes tan topless in the open sun should be replaced at least 15 minutes in the shade
Therefore, solar radiation affects the skin of the breast on the same principle as the other areas. In addition, a number of studies, including the work of an international group of scientists led by Jiali Khan, a professor at Harvard Medical School, suggest that patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Despite the fact that a direct link between the occurrence of a malignant tumor in the breast tissue and exposure to sunlight has not yet been found, it appears that the damage from a long rest under the scorching sun without proper protection is no less than good.
Sunbathing in a bathing suit, and without it, is relatively safe only in the morning and evening when the sun is not at the peak of activity. Dermatologists warn that 5 minutes of topless tanning in the open sun should be followed by at least 15 minutes in the shade. If you think that you can not do without a solarium, the first two sessions should be limited to 2 minutes.
On the day when you decide to sunbathe topless, provide breast skin protection more reliable than a simple sunscreen. According to New York dermatologist Julia Raseck, serum antioxidants that include ferulic acid, phloretin, vitamins C and E will help prepare your skin for increased sun exposure. These products should be applied in the morning or before using solar protection. It, in turn, is applied 15-20 minutes before going out into the sun, so that the cream has time to be absorbed.
Why do we need sunscreen and how to choose the best, we have already told. Breast skin is best suited not with a spray or light fluid, but with a dense cream with a reliable coating and physical filters in the composition, and the higher the SPF factor, the better. Apply the cream evenly, paying special attention to the nipples, and update the protection every hour. After finally tanning enough, do not forget about the gentle exfoliation and moisturizing of the skin of the breast - these simple measures will help reduce the drying out of the skin in response to sun exposure.
Photo: haveseen - stock.adobe.com, Maridav - stock.adobe.com