Sun Protection: Using Sunscreen & Wise Exposure to the UVB/UVA Rays

The Truth About Sun Exposure

The sun in small doses and at the best times of the day can have extremely good benefits. It can help clear up certain skin conditions, and has a psychological effect. It produces vitamin D in our bodies that helps with calcium and phosphorus absorption maintaining our immune system. Too much sun can cause other more severe complications in our lives, such as wrinkles as well as cancer.

What is UVA and UVB Light

Our sun gives us both UVA and UVB light. Radiation is a form of energy and the shorter the wavelength the more damaging to our skin it is. Skin cancer occurs because skin cells that are damaged by the UVA and UVB light can not regenerate. UVB is the more damaging of the two and you will find that all sunscreens protect against UVB first.

When to Avoid the Sun's Rays

The first step you should take to avoid getting wrinkles or skin cancer is to learn the best time to enjoy the sun. Remember the shorter the wavelength the more damaging the suns rays are. This translates easily to the day when you look at what time the suns rays are at its peek. The later in the day you get the worse the suns UVA and UVB wavelengths are for you. The worst time to be out directly in the sun light is between the hours of 1 and 3pm. This is when the wavelength of the suns light is at its shortest and most directly on the earth’s surface.

Natural Sun Protection

You can choose many different options for your protection against the sun. There are many articles of clothing that are now being sold with natural UVA and UVB sun protection already in them. You may choose to wear long sleeves & pants even in the summer, as well as wearing a hat. A hat with a wide brim to protect your face and neck also helps to prevent wrinkles by limiting the amount of exposure your face gets to the sun.

Most make up and moisturizers contain some UV protection as well. You may opt for a natural powder makeup that contains zinc oxide to help protect against the sun as one layer of protection. There are some sun screens that can be found that are all natural with ingredients like titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide which are both natural sun blocks, one such product is called Sunbuddy.

How Does Sunscreen Work

Sunscreen works by blocking out the ultraviolet light that causes damage to your skin. The less damage done to your skin from the sun the less likely you will be to get wrinkles or cancer caused by the sun damaged cells. Sun protection factor is the industry standard for packaging store bought sun protection. The SPF rating is calculated by determining how long it would take for protected skin to burn compared to unprotected skin. All store bought sun screens have a varied shelf life but most can last between 2-3 years if properly stored.

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