Because they provide us with warmth and aid in the production of vitamin D in our bodies, sun rays are essential to life. But excessive exposure can be dangerous, particularly for young people. It’s critical to comprehend how these rays impact skin tone if you want to protect your family.
One of the best defenses against the sun’s harmful rays is to wear a sunscreen. Although they are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, understanding how to select and apply them effectively is crucial.
Learning about sun safety can help shield skin from damage and guarantee that everyone can enjoy outdoor activities without risk.
| Sun Rays | Sunscreens |
| UVA rays can age the skin and penetrate deep into the layers. | Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. |
| UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and can damage the skin"s surface. | Choose sunscreens with at least SPF 30 for proper protection. |
| Sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer over time. | Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. |
| Cloudy days don"t block harmful UV rays entirely. | Water-resistant sunscreens are better for outdoor activities. |
It’s critical to shield your family from the sun’s harmful rays, and knowing how sunscreens function can help maintain skin safety. It’s important to use the proper sunscreen and to apply it correctly because ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. It’s crucial to understand that not all sunscreens provide the same level of protection, and that the effectiveness of their ability to protect your skin from harm depends largely on factors like SPF, water resistance, and reapplication.
- Sun rays: what are they
- Sun protection factor SPF
- Dangerous misconceptions about sunscreens
- What is your skin phototype?
- Video on the topic
- What you need to know about sunscreens.
- 50 shades of SPF: what you need to know about sunscreens?
- The effect of sun rays on a child"s skin. What you need to know about sun protection? – Dr. Komarovsky
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SPF / SUN PROTECTION
Sun rays: what are they
Now that we have an understanding of the different types of sun rays, you will see why it is so crucial to shield yourself from dangerous radiation.
Different-length light waves make up solar radiation. We see some; in fact, what we refer to as "sunlight" is the visible spectrum’s radiation. We sense others through infrared radiation, which heats the earth’s surface and our bodies. And the only kind of light waves that humans cannot see or feel are ultraviolet light waves. It’s crucial to find out more about them because of this.
Traditionally, ultraviolet radiation is separated into three categories:
- UVC – the shortest and most harmful rays, they are almost completely blocked by the ozone screen.
- UVB – they cause redness and burns, and even cancer. After the vacation, chronic diseases worsened? This type of rays is to blame for this. But we should also thank them for the appearance of a tan.
- UVA – freely penetrate clouds, glass and clothing, and in human skin they reach the middle layers and accelerate its aging. And, according to the latest information, they can also provoke the development of skin cancer, alas.
It is preferable for the sunscreen to offer protection from UVB and UVA rays; make sure to check the sunscreen’s packaging for the appropriate markings. It is partially true, as many people think, that the cream will prevent you from getting tan. Though not as strong as when exposed to the sun unprotected, a tan will still develop. However, this loss pales in comparison to the potential harm to your health!
Sun protection factor SPF
But depending on your phototype, your cream’s SPF (sun protection factor) should vary. A safe duration to spend time in the sun is established for each phototype. The SPF multiplier indicates the amount of UV radiation that you can tolerate when wearing this kind of protection. On a tropical beach, for instance, a fair-skinned blonde will get sunburned in three minutes. She will be reasonably safe for an hour and a half with SPF-30 cream.
This does not imply that you can reapply the cream and carry on tanning in an hour and a half! The maximum amount of UV radiation will have been absorbed in an hour and a half, and remaining in the sun will still result in burns!
Please be aware that some manufacturers use different markings in addition to the SPF marking that is most commonly used:
- IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening) — shows to what extent the product used protects against UVA rays. The maximum indicator is 90 (the skin is protected by 90%).
- PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) — informs how many times the UVA radiation dose is reduced. The maximum level that manufacturers have achieved is 42, in this case 42% less UVA rays penetrate the skin.
- PA — index, the degree of protection intensity of which is expressed by the signs"+", "++", "+++". Most often it is found on creams of Asian manufacturers.
Dangerous misconceptions about sunscreens
Is it feasible to purchase SPF-1000 sunscreen and spend the entire day outside?
You cannot, I repeat. Products with SPF-50 already block as much UV radiation as possible; the large numbers on the tube are just an unfair marketing ploy.
Maybe I’ll just go swimming in the overcast weather?
No, clouds only block visible light; ultraviolet light is not blocked. It will burn your skin in the same way as a clear day!
I’ll head to the beach and apply a thick layer of cream right away!
It’s too late! Sunscreen typically takes twenty minutes to become effective, longer if it contains chemical filters. Put it on at home, then refresh it at the beach.
What is your skin phototype?
| Phototype I | Milky white skin (often combined with red hair), which always burns in the sun and never tans; heavily freckled. It is not advisable to be in the sun without sun protection. |
| Phototype II | Fair skin, which always burns in the sun, sometimes getting a light tan; covered with multiple freckles. You can stay in the sun without protection for 5-10 minutes. |
| Phototype III | Slightly dark skin, which sometimes burns and always gets a tan (moderate); covered with a small number of freckles. You can stay in the sun without protection for 10-20 minutes. |
| Phototype IV | Dark skin, which never burns and always tans (deep tan), without freckles. You can stay in the sun without protection for 20-30 minutes. |
| Phototype V | Very dark skin, always tans (very dark tan), no freckles. |
| Phototype VI | Dark skin that never burns; no freckles. |
In Russia, the final two phototypes, referred to as "Indonesian" and "African," are hardly ever encountered.
For the sake of your health, especially that of your children, you should always protect your skin from the sun. Sunlight may appear benign, but too much of it can cause sunburn, damage to the skin, and even long-term dangers like skin cancer.
One of the best ways to protect your family is to use sunscreen that is appropriate for them. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sufficient SPF and apply it often, especially if you will be spending time outside.
You can keep your loved ones safe while having fun in the sun by being aware of how sun rays affect skin and how important sunscreen is.
