06.08.2024 14:50
The hair of children who enter Lake Van turns yellow due to the effect of carbonated water. Prof. Dr. Hatice Uce Özkol from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University stated that the reason for the yellowing of the hair of children entering the lake is the effect of carbonated water and the sun. Özkol said that the yellowing of the hair is not important, but it is necessary to prevent the burning of the body due to the effect of the sun.
Children who want to cool off by entering Lake Van, which is Turkey's largest lake, have their hair turn yellow in the summer months. Prof. Dr. Hatice Uce Özkol from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) stated that those with oily skin who enter the lake are affected by it. The soda water of the lake removes the dead layer of the skin. Therefore, children entering the lake frequently cause their hair to turn yellow. Because it has a lightening effect. The lightening effect of soda, along with the sun and the high altitude of the area, makes the hair yellow," she said.
The coastal strip of Lake Van, which is the largest soda lake in the world and the largest lake in Turkey, is reminiscent of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts in the summer seasons. Lake Van, which is 1700 meters above sea level, has an area of 3,713 square kilometers and a depth of up to 451 meters, attracts attention with its natural beauty and hidden bays. Children living in the settlements on the shores of Lake Van also swim in the lake during the summer season. The hair of children who swim in the lake starts to turn yellow after a while due to the effect of soda. Ekrem Tan, from Yaylıyaka Neighborhood, which is connected to the Tuşba district, said that the hair and eyebrows of all children swimming in the lake turn yellow in summer and return to their original color in winter.
'RED ONES CAN TURN RED'
Prof. Dr. Hatice Uce Özkol from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) Dursun Odabaşı Medical Center Dermatology Department stated that the soda water of Lake Van has an effect on the skin and hair in the summer months. Stating that the hair turns yellow due to the effect of the sun and soda water, Prof. Dr. Özkol said, "Those with oily skin who enter the lake are affected by it. The soda water of the lake removes the dead layer of the skin. Therefore, children entering the lake frequently cause their hair to turn yellow. Because it has a lightening effect. The lightening effect of soda, along with the sun and the high altitude of the area, makes the hair yellow, especially in children who are prone to it. The hair of children who are completely dark does not turn yellow, but the hair of children who are a little more brunette turns even more yellow, and those with red hair can turn even more red," she said.
'HAIR TURNS YELLOW, BUT BODIES DON'T GET BURNED'
Prof. Dr. Hatice Uce Özkol said, "When the effect disappears in winter, the hair returns to its normal state. The important thing here is not the yellowing of the hair, but protecting the body. The altitude here is very high. Our children swimming in the lake should not get burned if possible, they should pay attention to this. Because each burn with the effect of the sun also increases the risk of skin cancer. In that sense, you can make your hair yellow, but don't let your bodies get burned. There is no need to take precautions. Because the children here like their hair turning yellow. For the people of Eastern Anatolia, blonde hair is valuable. That's why children who want their hair to turn yellow swim in the lake all summer," she said.
'WE ARE HAPPY WITH BLONDE HAIR'
Semih Gök (11), a 4th grade student, said that they start swimming in Lake Van when the summer vacation begins. Gök, who stated that their village is on the coast of Lake Van, said, "When the summer vacation begins, we start going to Lake Van. We swim in the lake every day. This situation causes our hair to turn yellow. We are also happy with this situation," he said.