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UV radiation can burn and damage your skin without you ever becoming warm. Know your enemy, right? It may seem odd, but the sun does not emit only one kind of light. Sunlight sends a whole spectrum of light down to us here on Earth. Some parts of that spectrum of light are obvious to us.
Infrared radiation is what heats us up. We may not see it, but we can feel it. Ultraviolet radiation is at the other end of the light spectrum. UV radiation can burn and damage our skin without us ever becoming warm.
Not all UV radiation from sunlight makes it to Earth. Most of it gets absorbed by our atmosphere. But two kinds of UV rays do break through. UVA penetrates deep into our skin and can even pass through glass. UVA damages your skin, resulting in a tan. It is the primary radiation used in tanning beds.
It causes almost all forms of skin aging, including wrinkles. UVA damages the collagen and elastin in the skin and also generates free radicals. In small doses, it actually helps us to produce vitamin D that our bodies need. The problem occurs when UV rays frequently come in contact with our skin; its effects can be long term and detrimental. These effects show up over time when our skin is not protected. Here's exactly what you need to know about UV radiation, how it affects us, and how to keep your skin safe!
UV wavelengths vary in size and differ in how they affect our skin. UVC is the shortest and not long enough to reach our skin; UVB rays come in contact with the outer layer of the skin; UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin, all the way into the inner layers.
UVC rays are actually the strongest but are mostly absorbed by the atmospheric ozone. They usually aren't destructive on our skin. UVB rays reach past the ozone layer to the superficial layers of our skin.
It is the most prevalent cause of the redness, sun burning, and skin cancer. These rays can cause changes in DNA in cells directly and be one of the top culprits to skin cancer.
The most important times to stay protected are during the spring and summer months between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
UVA rays permeate into the skin the deepest of the 3 different rays. They reach deep into the skin and are the predominant cause of aging, wrinkling, loose skin, and sunspots. They are not the number one culprit but can cause changes in DNA, which eventually can lead to skin cancer. UVA rays are present all year round and in all seasons. They are able to bounce off reflective surfaces such as water, including liquid and ice or snow. This makes them more powerful. UV exposure is highest in the spring and summer months.
During these seasons, the sun is at a higher angle, which increases UV ray intensity. However, the sun can still affect you during fall and winter.
UV exposure is highest in areas on or near the equator, where UV rays have less distance to travel before reaching the ground. The ozone layer provides protection from UV rays. But greenhouse gases and pollutants have caused the ozone layer to thin, increasing UV intensity. Clouds filter out some UV rays from reaching the ground.
However, it depends on the type of cloud. Dark, water-filled clouds may block out more UV rays than high, thin clouds. UV rays reflect off surfaces such as snow, water, sand, and pavement. This can increase UV exposure. Choose sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection.
A higher sun protection factor SPF will provide more protection, but remember that no sunscreen is percent effective at blocking out UV rays. When shopping for sunscreen, you may want to opt for a physical, or mineral-based, product. Recent research has found that the ingredients in some chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into your blood.
These ingredients are found in physical sunscreens. Clothes can provide some protection from UV exposure. Tightly-woven dry fabrics are best. Many outdoor companies make clothes that provide increased protection from UV rays. Limit your exposure to direct sunlight by staying in the shade. This is most important between 10 a. Choose sunglasses that offer UV protection to prevent damage to your eyes and the surrounding skin.
However, the AAD advises against getting vitamin D from sun exposure or tanning beds, as UV rays can cause skin cancer.
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