Sun Protection Information
We've all been told how important sun protection is
because of the damage that the sun can cause your skin. No news there. However the problem is staying out
of the sun when we love being outdoors.
Sun protection isn't just for some
people, it's for everyone. The effects of sun on your skin can be extremely harmful
and protection from the sun's damaging rays is important for anyone who wants to grow old gracefully. It's also
an absolute must for anyone who wants to substantially limit their risk of developing skin cancer.
People are finally realizing that although sunshine is
a big part of most outdoor activities and a great mood enhancer, excessive exposure can lead to problems and
discomfort. A painful sunburn is the most immediate consequence of excess exposure. Long term excessive
sun exposure can damage the skin making it not only prone to pre-mature wrinkling but also lead to skin
cancer.
When do you need sun protection?
Doctors will tell you that sun protection is needed
all the time and they're right, but realistically however it's important anytime you'll be outdoors
between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the sun is at its highest.
Most people don't realize that they can still burn
even though the sun isn't shining. Overcast days are some of the worst times for being in the sun
unprotected. That's because the ultraviolet rays can reflect off certain surfaces. For example, you need
protection from the sun in the snow, the water, when lying or playing on the sand and even when on a
cement or grass surfaces.
Understanding UV rays
Ultraviolet rays are the different wavelengths of
energy that are produced by the sun. Even though harmful, the sun's energy is necessary to all human life.
Fortunately, as life on earth has evolved so has the capacity to tolerate UV rays. The most important protection
against the damaging ultraviolet rays is the ozone layer - a layer in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the
various types of UV rays before they reach the earth's surface.
Most of this radiation or energy from the sun is
invisible to the naked eye. The fact that the radiation is mostly invisible is likely the reason why the sun can
be so harmful. It's hard to convince a person to protect against something that can't be seen. Of the
ultraviolet rays, the two that are responsible for skin damage are UVA and UVB rays. The sun also generates UVC
rays, but fortunately these extremely damaging rays cannot penetrate the ozone layer and therefore pose no
threat to humans.
The longer and more prevalent of the two, UVA rays are
responsible for long-term skin damage because they absorb deep into the skin. Their strength remains uniform
regardless of the time of day or time of year. UVB rays are shorter and are what causes skin to tan or sunburns.
Our bodies need UVB rays to produce Vitamin D, an important vitamin. Their strength varies based on time of day,
time of year, altitude and also distance from the equator.
The UV Index is a scale measuring from 0 – 11 (low to
extreme) and it's used to determine the intensity of the sun's radiation, particularly the likelihood that skin
will or will not redden when exposed to the sun for various periods of time.
If you love the outdoors be conscientious about
protecting your skin. Wear a hat, use SPF 30 sunscreen taking care to use extra protection near snow and
water. Keep kids protected, especially if they swim a lot or are playing
sports.
Do Tanning beds cause skin
cancer? Tanning beds emit ultraviolet UV light too causing
wrinkles and skin cancer.
In Summary...
If you like the look of a golden tan consider
using a sunless tanning products. But
remember to always use sunscreen as artificial tanning products don't usually have a sunscreen.
Check yourself over regularly for
any signs of
skin Cancer. This means any signs that your skin is
changing or the appearance of growths or bleeding. Skin cancer is very treatable today so you should check
with your doctor immediately.
Repairing sun damaged
skin - Find out which sun damage remedies might be right
for you.
Effects of sun
exposure - The effects of sun exposure and how to avoid
them.
Sun burn
remedies - Easy, natural sun burn remedies for fast
relief.
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