You’ve most definitely heard of UV rays before, yet most of the time we forget just how harmful they can truly be to our skin — sunscreen might protect our skin for a while but reapplying frequently is essential to protect your skin from sun damage.
So what exactly are UV rays?
UV rays are a type of radiation that is emitted by the sun. There are two types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB. “UVA radiation makes up 95% of all the UV rays that make it to the Earth’s surface and UVA penetrates deep into our skin and can even pass through glass,” according to MD Anderson.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays leads to irreversible skin damage, that is not only unsightly but can lead to developing skin cancer and various types of melanomas.
Why you should use sun protection:
- Skin cancer rates are on the rise globally.
- The ozone layer is being depleted as a result of pollution, which means that we are less protected against UV rays.
- It helps to prevent premature skin aging, discoloration, red veins, scars, wrinkles, and brown spots.
Tips for minimising sun exposure and damage:
Limit sun exposure, the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. Therefore try to avoid being outdoors during these hours as much as possible. And if you do spend that time outdoors be sure to protect your eyes from UV rays! Wear sunglasses with a UV protection filter.
Wear sunscreen every day, regardless of whether or not you are going to be outdoors. Even brief moments of sun exposure can cause damage over time. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, irrespective of whether you are swimming or exercising. Don’t forgo your sunscreen routine if it’s overcast – cloud cover actually amplifies UV rays, rather than shielding them.
Seek shade whenever possible. Be careful around reflective surfaces such as water, sand and glass as they increase your risk of sunburn. Be sure to wear protective clothing that minimises the amount of skin exposed to the sun.
It’s also especially important to protect children from the sun, as their skin and immune systems are still developing. Children spend more time outdoors and are thus at risk of overexposure to UV rays.
Children should wear sunscreen every day that is reapplied at least every two hours. Most schools reinforce the importance of being protected from the sun, but it helps to ensure that your kid’s school makes sun protection compulsory.
Although every effort can be made to protect ourselves from the sun, the risk of damage from sun exposure is always there. Ensure that you check yourself and your kids’ skin all the time, making note of moles or sun freckles that change shape, become painful or itchy, or appear seemingly out of nowhere. Should you find anything amiss, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
And remember to get affordable health insurance for yourself and your family to protect you all from any potential harm.
Yours in comprehensive health insurance,
Oneplan
