What Are UV Rays?
There are two UV rays in the earth's atmosphere: UVA rays and UVB rays. Both types of rays can damage the skin, leading to age spots, wrinkles, and in severe cases, skin cancer. Because of the potential hazards of prolonged UV exposure, you should always take precautions when outside.
When Is the Skin Exposed to UV Rays?
The skin gets the most UV exposure when you're outdoors on a sunny day. UV rays don't simply affect the skin on sunny summer afternoons, however, and many people fail to protect their skin on a daily basis. That's why it's a good idea to be conscious of when UV rays are at their strongest—and when UV rays are at their stealthiest.
UV rays are strongest midday, usually between the hours of 10am and 4pm. They're also more potent during spring and summer months, and in areas closer to the equator. Altitude also matters: the higher the elevation; the stronger the UV rays. Many people look out the window, see a cloudy sky, and think they can skip the sunscreen for the day. While clouds can block some UV rays, they can also reflect them, which heightens the potency of the UV rays.
Why Should I Avoid UV Rays?
You should protect your skin against UV rays because they're the primary cause of skin damage. They can directly damage the DNA of skin cells, which can lead to visible surface damage as well as long-term health consequences. Because of this, you shouldn't go tanning. Both sunbathing and visits to the tanning bed can cause long-lasting harm to the skin.
What Are the Consequences of UV Rays?
Too much exposure to the sun can lead to painful side effects, like sunburn and allergic reactions. It can also cause cosmetic damage to the skin, leaving behind fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, freckles, and textural abnormalities. UVA and UVB rays are also responsible for most types of skin cancer, including basal carcinomas, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas.
How Can I Protect My Skin from UV Damage?
To protect your skin from sun damage, you need to wear a sunscreen every day—rain or shine. Try a product with a high SPF, like the TiZO3 Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 40. It provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays for up to 80 minutes.
It's important to take precautionary measures to protect your skin from the sun. To learn more about protecting your skin, check out our previous blog post: 5 Tips to Protect your Skin this Summer. If you may have some sun damage not to worry, there are treatments such as Fraxel Restore for sun damaged skin. Contact us today to book an appointment and find out more about treatment.
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