I was hiking with a group of friends in the mountains surrounding Muir Beach, north of San Francisco. Between chatting and hiking, on the way to the top of the mountain, I noticed how vivid and pretty the natives flowers were, a special blue fluorescent color illuminated by sunlight. I thought about my Sun Block and the possibility of a higher incidence of UV radiation. I had applied sun block in the morning; however, I knew that sunblock needs to be applied every 2 hours and we had been hiking for 4. While it was a cloudy day, I knew there was a chance that we had been overexposed to UV rays since clouds don't filter them. Why does it matter?
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation may result in effects on the skin, eye, and immune system, including cancer, sun burn, accelerating aging of the skin, among other effects.
Let's talk About ultraviolet radiation (you can skip to the Conclusion, if you get bored)
The Sun emits UV radiation in the UVA, UVB, and UVC bands, but because of absorption in the ozone layer of the atmosphere, 99% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface is UVA. In humans, prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye, and immune system. UVA, UVB and UVC can all damage collagen fibers and thereby accelerate aging of the skin.
In general, UVA is the least harmful, but can contribute to the aging of skin, DNA damage and possibly skin cancer. It penetrates deeply and does not cause sunburn. Because it does not cause reddening of the skin, or erythema, it cannot be measured in the SPF testing. UVA light is thought to be a prime cause of wrinkles. There is no good clinical measurement of the blocking of UVA radiation, but it is important for your complete coverage, that your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB.
As a defense against UVB radiation, the body tans when exposed to moderate levels of UVB radiation by releasing the natural brown pigment Melanin. Another way to protect your skin is the use of sunscreen lotion, that contains substances that partly blocks UV radiation. In general, contains a sun protection factor or SPF rating that describes the amount of sunburn protection given. This protection, however, applies only to UVB rays responsible for sunburn and not to UVA rays that penetrate more deeply into the skin and may also be responsible for causing cancer and wrinkles.
What to look for in sunscreen - some ingredients
UVB protection: Padimate O, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octinoxate
UVA protection: zinc oxide and Avobenzone
UVA/UVB protection: Octocrylene, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Mexoryl.
SPF or Sun Protection Factor
It's a scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn protection it provides. SPF numbers refer to the product's ability to screen/block out the burning rays of the sun.
UV Radiation - Some Applications
Among the many applications for UV radiation, tanning through exposure of UV from natural sunlight and by tanning salons that use UV-artificial lamps are a major concern for our health, for reasons previously discussed. An alternative for the use of UV radiation to have the healthy bronze color of the Summer is to use Sunless lotions (self-tanners). We will be discussing shortly how to best take advantage of these cosmetic products and what options the market offers.
Conclusion - Sun protection and your skin
The natural pigment Melanin and Sunscreen lotion help to block UV penetration and prevent damage to the vulnerable skin tissues deeper down. The use of protection and careful exposure to the sun rays will minimize potential harm to your skin, such as skin cancer, sunburn inflammation, wrinkles, and melasma.
As a rule, you should choose a sunscreen lotion with anti-UVA and anti-UVB components. You should reapply it every time you go to the water, sweat or every 2 hours to ensure sun protection.
In general, UVA is the least harmful, but can contribute to the aging of skin, DNA damage and possibly skin cancer. It penetrates deeply and does not cause sunburn. Because it does not cause reddening of the skin, or erythema, it cannot be measured in the SPF testing. UVA light is thought to be a prime cause of wrinkles. There is no good clinical measurement of the blocking of UVA radiation, but it is important for your complete coverage, that your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB.
As a defense against UVB radiation, the body tans when exposed to moderate levels of UVB radiation by releasing the natural brown pigment Melanin. Another way to protect your skin is the use of sunscreen lotion, that contains substances that partly blocks UV radiation. In general, contains a sun protection factor or SPF rating that describes the amount of sunburn protection given. This protection, however, applies only to UVB rays responsible for sunburn and not to UVA rays that penetrate more deeply into the skin and may also be responsible for causing cancer and wrinkles.
What to look for in sunscreen - some ingredients
UVB protection: Padimate O, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octinoxate
UVA protection: zinc oxide and Avobenzone
UVA/UVB protection: Octocrylene, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Mexoryl.
SPF or Sun Protection Factor
It's a scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn protection it provides. SPF numbers refer to the product's ability to screen/block out the burning rays of the sun.
UV Radiation - Some Applications
Among the many applications for UV radiation, tanning through exposure of UV from natural sunlight and by tanning salons that use UV-artificial lamps are a major concern for our health, for reasons previously discussed. An alternative for the use of UV radiation to have the healthy bronze color of the Summer is to use Sunless lotions (self-tanners). We will be discussing shortly how to best take advantage of these cosmetic products and what options the market offers.
Conclusion - Sun protection and your skin
The natural pigment Melanin and Sunscreen lotion help to block UV penetration and prevent damage to the vulnerable skin tissues deeper down. The use of protection and careful exposure to the sun rays will minimize potential harm to your skin, such as skin cancer, sunburn inflammation, wrinkles, and melasma.
As a rule, you should choose a sunscreen lotion with anti-UVA and anti-UVB components. You should reapply it every time you go to the water, sweat or every 2 hours to ensure sun protection.
Remember, the use of sun screen is not your ticket to the sun. Enjoy the upcoming Summer and... be healthy!
Vanessa
Music of the day - link:
Vanessa
Music of the day - link:
