Lifestyle

Wiekes weetjes: alarming facts about burning

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:001231#31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:00-6Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331 02am31am-31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:006Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2023312023Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200306307amSunday=9#!31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam7#07-02-2023#!31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:001231#\/31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:00-6Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331#!31Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:30:12 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam7#

In the past, I always said: ‘In the evening a little tomato, in the morning a little chocolate’, and I was known for that slogan while on vacation. Yep, I burned so quickly, but I never really worried about it. I’m ashamed to say it, but only in the last few years have I started to apply sunscreen properly and wear SPF every day. Very unwise, I know. Especially considering that I used to go to the tanning bed almost every week... Aiii.

Fortunately, I know better now, but I still marvel at the knowledge (or lack thereof) about what sun rays do to you. Did you know, for example, that you can get burned while sitting in an airplane? No, right? That's why I have ten surprising (and a bit shocking) facts about sunbathing for you.

1. You can get burned in an airplane
And quite a bit too — never knew this. Because you are at a high altitude in an airplane, the UV radiation is also getting stronger. For every 300 meters up, this UV radiation increases by 10 percent. So apply sunscreen, especially if you are sitting by the window.

2. Sand reflects even more UV rays than water
And you thought you got the most tanned on the water? Nope, water reflects about 10 percent of UV radiation, while sand reflects 15 percent. Whuuuut. Even worse: the foam from the sea reflects as much as 25 percent.

3. Clouds block very little radiation
87 percent of the sun's rays still get through the clouds, so you can absolutely get burned on a cloudy day. Side note: gray clouds block less, namely ‘only’ 32 percent.

4. Snow reflects the most UV rays
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), snow can reflect 80 percent of UV rays. And that's even more intense because you're likely at a high altitude.

5. With some medications, you burn faster than normal
So always read the leaflet to see if this is the case.

6. Having a ‘base tan’ does not help against burning
I always thought this in the past: if I went to the tanning bed before vacation, I would burn less quickly in the Spanish sun. Nothing is further from the truth: you burn just as easily.

7. You can become addicted to sunbathing, it's called tanorexia
Actually makes sense, because like many others, I also suffer from winter depression. People can experience this when they have to detox from the sun or have become addicted to it; you then get depressive feelings when you're out of the sun.

8. Some countries have banned tanning beds
In Brazil, Iran, and Australia, you won't find a single tanning bed. Many countries are planning to follow suit, including the Netherlands.

9. Your sense of smell and taste can be affected by sunbathing
Your brain can make you think that food tastes better in the sun, causing you to eat more than normal.

10. Going under the tanning bed is relatively worse than smoking
According to research, more people who go under the tanning bed eventually get skin cancer than there are people who get lung cancer from smoking. But, of course, the best thing is not to do either.