UV (ultraviolet) rays are skin damaging. UV radiation is invisible light from the sun and overexposure to UV rays is a cause of skin cancer. Do you understand the difference between UVA and UVB? This article will help you to sort it out quickly and help your decision-making when you're looking at sunscreen and tanning products.


Steps

1. Be aware that you need to be protected against both UVA and UVB. Both will damage the skin.
2. Recognise that UVA ages the skin. UVA rays damage collagen and elastin and cuase premature ageing. Its damaging effects are long-term and generally irreversible. UVA rays are also thought to damage DNA.
3. Recognise that UVB rays burn your skin. When you feel your skin warming and burning, it is a result of the UVB rays. UVB rays can also damage your eyes and can cause snowblindness and may contribute to such diseases as cataracts and eye growths, although the scientists are still researching.
4. Shop for broad spectrum sunscreen products. When you are looking for a protective cream against the sun's damaging effects, you are best off with a product that is known as "broad spectrum", as it will cut the effects of both UVA and UVB. Always follow the application and reapplication instructions.

Tips

• Keep covered up when going outdoors - wear a hat, a breezy long-sleeved top, sunscreen, sunglasses and keep out of the direct sun for any duration of time between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
• SPF15 is the minimum sunscreen protection to look for.
• There are actually 3 UV rays in the UV spectrum. However, UVC is not of concern at this point in time as the rays are absorbed by the upper atmosphere and do not penetrate to the surface we live on.
• Take extra special care with infants, toddlers and children. Use appropriate sunscreens and cover-ups.
• Keep pets covered up and indoors during the worst of the sun too. Many pets have light-coloured nose areas and ears and suffer the same skin cancer problems as humans.
• Are you aware that you also suffer UV exposure from your computer and office lighting? Don't compound the problem by not taking the right action to protect your skin under the sun.

Warnings

• Always reapply sunscreen after being in the water. Water erodes its effectiveness, usually within 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the product.
• You can't turn back time. The earlier you start on sun protection, the more effective and the more likely you will fight off sun spots, pigmentation, wrinkles and cancer.