The bright sun not only provides the vital functions of the whole world, but also actively transforms our body. Even a short exposure to the sun in spring and summer contributes to the darkening of the skin.
It would seem that a similar phenomenon should also occur with our hair, and at the end of summer, blondes should turn into burning brunettes. But with hair, as well as with clothes, everything is exactly the opposite: in the sun they burn out. Let us consider what are the causes of such phenomena.
Why does skin darken?
In human skin, there are up to three million cells. Among them there are melanocytes, special cells in the form of stars, which are responsible for the production of a special pigment substance, melanin. The more cells produce melanin, the darker the skin will be, and the faster it will tan under the influence of the sun.
The formation of a tan is a protective reaction of the body to the aggressive influence of ultraviolet rays. It is not for nothing that it is very easy for owners of fair skin to get a burn, being even a small time under the influence of the scorching sun.
Interesting fact: many people are mistaken in believing that the representatives of the black race do not sunbathe and cannot sunbathe. Indeed, in black people, the amount of melanin produced is twice the volume of this pigment in a white person. Accordingly, tanning in white-skinned people is more noticeable.But under the prolonged influence of the sun, black representatives can also get sunburn, especially in the areas of the feet and hands.
Attitude to tanning has changed over the different eras. If at the beginning of the 20th century there was an aristocratic pallor in fashion, and noble ladies never left the house without an umbrella in the summer, in the second half of the 20th century a sporty body, tanned almost to black, came into fashion.
Doctors sound the alarm: excessive tanning leads to roughening of the skin, vascular changes, the risk of malignant neoplasms. Ultraviolet rays should be obtained in small doses.
Interesting fact: The appearance of freckles indicates a small amount of melanin produced. Therefore, this harmless phenomenon in most cases is characteristic of fair-skinned people.
Why do hair and clothes lighten in the sun?
From their own experience, many know that with prolonged exposure to the sun, their hair becomes lighter, burn out. This phenomenon is also associated with melanin. But if in the skin under the sun's rays this element is intensely produced, then in the composition of the hair breaks up. During this process, the hair becomes not only lighter, but also weaker and thinner.
Interesting fact: A deficiency or complete absence of melanin is the cause of albinism. Albino people have white hair, snow-white skin and reddish eyes.
Why does clothes burn out in the sun?
It's all about the dyes that are used during its manufacture.Under the influence of ultraviolet, molecules of coloring substances are destroyed, which is externally manifested by the burning of tissue. To restore the color of clothing burned out in the sun, you can use special dyes that can be bought at household chemical stores.
Thus, changes in the color of hair and body are associated with the pigment melanin: in the skin cells, its production increases, and in the hair, on the contrary, decreases.
