We all know that we should wear sunscreen and have heard of the harmful effects of the sun. Did you know all the facts and science behind how to combat the effects of the sun on your skin?
Pamela Anderson reading (hopefully about how to keep healthy in the sun!)
Here are the facts on how to enjoy your life without wearing a faceshield but still be protected:
- Avoid outdoor activities in the sun between the hours of 10am to 4pm, even on a cloudy day. Preventative care starts with avoiding direct exposure. Reflective surfaces (water, snow, concrete and sand), high altitudes and low latitudes amplify the UV exposure.
- Activities such as driving to work and sitting inside by a window may give you sun exposure. UVA rays pass through window glass and lighting emit UV as well.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with UVB and UVA coverage.
- Check out the active ingredient on your sunscreen. Sunscreen can be categorized by their chemical structures: 1. inorganic/physical or 2. organic or chemical blockers. Inorganic sunscreens are chemicals that protect your skin by reflecting and scattering UV light. Typically, these are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Organic sunscreens absorb UV light, converting the energy to a lower energy wavelength. Academic journals have discussed the risks of chemical sunscreens to produce free radicals that are harmful to your skin. Hence, some sunscreens incorporate antioxidants into their formulations.
- Electronic devices and screens omit other forms of electromagnetic radiation which may contribute to skin deterioration and photoaging.
Applying Sunscreen
When? Everyday, even if cloudy or you are indoors. Apply 15–30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2–3 hours. Sunscreen wears off and some chemicals only last a few hours.
Where? Your face and don’t forget your neck, arms, neck etc.
How? Use 3–5 grams for face and neck. Use two tablespoons or shot glass for the body.
The sun emits a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation from gamma rays to radio waves, some visible but most not visible to your eyes. Also, not all the rays reach the earth’s surface. The ultraviolet spectrum of light can be divided further into UVC, UVB and UVA. UVB rays are seasonal causing skin cancer and sunburn. UVA rays also promote skin cancer, photoaging and other noticeable damage to the skin referred to as aging.
Source and for more information:
www.healthy-aging.advanceweb.com
http://www.skincancer.org/understanding-uva-and-uvb.html
