SUNBATHING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22901, 2 December 1937, Page 16

SUNBATHING SEASON

BENEFIT TO HEALTH NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS The heavy demand for sunburn creams and lotions experienced recently by Auckland chemists is a natural consequence of the warm and sunny weather which has prevailed for the last week and the beach-loving habits of Aucklanders. A satisfactory aspect of the position this year is that few serious cases of burning have been reported, although there have been a number of instances of people with delicate skins being painfully blistered.

Since the institution of tlio 40-hour week rnnnx people have the opportunity, which they did not previously enjoy, of reaching the beaches early on Saturday,, and this has meant two days in tho open instead of one. That Aucklanders have anticipated the consequences of this is evidenced by the steady sales of lotions to prevent and relieve sunburn which were maintained before the present' ideal summer weather. Another factor besides reduced working hours which has tended to increase the possibilities of sunburn is the extreme brevity of modern bathing suits, which expose by far the greater portion of the body to tho sun. These suits have, however, been approved by scientists, who state that sunbathing in abbreviated suits results in increased vitality, greater mental capacity, a heightening of resistance to infection, and accentuation of power of recovery from illness. Heliotherapy is to-day part of the recognised course of treatment for some diseases.

Moderation is, however, all-important in sunbathing, and the period spent in the sun should be increased gradually each day. Before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. are tho best hours for treatment, as during the intervening time tho beneficial rays at the violet end of tho sun's spectrum are dominated by the in rays, by which even a hardened skin can be painfully burned. As a general rule blond and redheaded people suffer most from the sun, and are' not able to adopt the same simple safeguards which are available to people with dark complexions. At this time of the year freckle creams are in good demand, for the sun multiplies these features which many girls consider disfiguring.