Ways To Protect Your Skin From UV Rays

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Protect Your Skin From UV Rays
What Are UV Rays

Ultraviolet or UV rays are electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun. Their energy is higher and wavelength is shorter as compared to the visible light.

These rays are majorly categorized into three types depending on their wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

Types of UV Rays:
  • UVA Rays: First and most harmful rays are UVA rays. These rays have the longest wavelength among the three types of UV rays. They can deeply penetrate into the skin layers, when skin comes in contact with these rays it causes wrinkling premature aging and skin damage. Due to the capability of passing through glass, they can reach your skin even indoors.
  • UVB Rays: UVB rays have shorter wavelength and higher energy than UVA rays. These types of rays are the main cause of sunburns as they primarily affect the outer layers of the skin. UVB rays are also associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
  • UVC Rays: Having shortest wavelength and highest energy UVC rays are less harmful for the skin as compared to two other types, but these rays are mostly absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and do not reach the surface.
How Can You Protect Your Skin From UV Rays:

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is extremely important to prevent long-term damage and maintain healthy skin as unhealthy skin brings many diseases. Below are some tips that will help to Protect Your Skin From UV Rays:

  • Seek shade: The time of the day usually between 10 am and 4 pm is the time when the sun is strongest, try to stay in the shade or indoors to reduce your exposure to direct sunlight.
  • Wear protective clothing: Always try to cover your skin with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats when going out. Dark and tightly woven fabrics offer better protection. Some clothes are available in the markets which are specially designed with built-in UV protection.
  • Use sunscreen: Always remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, ears, and hands. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you are sweating or swimming.
  • Wear sunglasses: Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Some fake glasses are available in the market which claims to be good but always check them carefully and look for sunglasses labeled as offering UV protection.
  • Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds emit UV radiation that can be as harmful as sunlight. Avoid using them to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
  • Check the UV index: The UV index provides information about the strength of UV radiation in your area. Try to plan the outdoor activities when the index is lower, usually in the morning or late afternoon so that you can protect your skin from UV rays.
  • Make use of wide-brimmed hat: Hats having wide brims approx three inches in diameter helps in protecting not only your head but also your face from harmful sun rays whilst baseball or other caps with less wide brim may not protect all of the areas on your face that may be exposed to the sun, such as your ears, nose, and neck.
Conclusion

These are some Ways To Protect Your Skin From UV Rays. By following these measures, you can help minimize your skin’s exposure to UV rays and reduce the risk of sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer and many other skin diseases.

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