Life without sun is not possible – sun provides not only light but also ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun is our primary source of vitamin D which absolutely necessary calcium absorption and healthy strong bones. At the same time, sun could be dangerous for our skin. UV rays could cause not only skin damages (including skin cancer) but also could be responsible for immune system suppression and eye damage. Skin sun protection is very important not only for skin but also for health in general.
Everybody knows that sun could cause skin tanning, burning or other skin damages but not everybody knows that sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays – UVA, UVB and UVC. These rays are very similar but if you would like to know about skin sun protection, you better discover differences.
Our earth is somehow protected from UV radiation by the layer of atmosphere called “Ozone layer”. Actually UVC rays have most energy and they are most dangerous for skin but thanks to ozone layer UVC don’t penetrate the atmosphere and cannot reach our skin. The UVA rays are mainly responsible for skin aging, wrinkles, skin sun related reactions (allergic and non-allergic), skin darkening and pigmentation. The UVA rays can sometimes also trigger skin cancer (melanoma). Many people call these rays as UV Aging rays. The UVB rays can easily penetrate the ozone layer – they are the most potent rays that reach the earth. Some people call these rays as UV Burning rays because they usually responsible for skin sunburn and they can also trigger skin cancer. Most commercial skin products which are produced for sun skin protection are rated by product ability to block UVB rays.
Skin sun protection – Skin sunburn
SUN and SKIN
Melanin is a very specific element in the skin which gives natural color to the skin. Women with dark skin have usually higher amounts of melanin and women with lighter skin have less melanin. Besides giving color to the skin, melanin is also responsible for skin sun protection – it protects the skin from UV rays. It is a natural skin protection from sun damages. Melanin can be considered as first defense against the sun exposure. But skin sun protection by melanin is not enough and women should always use sun skin protection factors (especially women with dark skin).
It is well known that melanin in darker skin is able to tolerate exposure to the sun for hours without getting sunburn. Unfortunately less melanin in lighter skin can get sunburn after spending only minutes in the midday sun.
Skin tanning is a result of melanin’s increased response to sun exposure. Actually skin tanning is the first stage before skin burning. Sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than what can be protected against by the skin’s melanin.
It was noted that sun exposure is dangerous for women with fair skin, with skin moles or other skin pathology.
Always remember that sun skin protection is more important during summer but during winter holidays in the mountains UV rays also can be very dangerous because of reflection from white snow and ice.
Sun UV radiation
Skin sun protection timing
It is recommended to avoid the strongest UV ration at certain time of the day – usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you are forced to be outside at that time, just try to be in the shadow and apply SPF (sun protection factor) on unprotected parts of your skin. Many skin damages are happening in ordinary days (not necessary at the beach) and skin damage is usually the result of cumulative sun exposure.
It is important to know that UV radiation could be dangerous also on cloudy cool days because UV rays easily penetrate through the clouds and reflect off buildings, sand, water, and any objects.
It is also important to know that tanning beds could be dangerous any time of day – especially before the age of 35.
Check “Skin sun protection methods” on next page.
