We all strive to achieve that healthy, sun-kissed glow, but what we don’t know is gaining that coveted bronzed look may cost us our health. Sunlight is the major source of UVA/UBA rays; exposing your unprotected skin to either type of ray can cause irreversible damage, including wrinkles, sunspots, premature aging, and skin cancer.
We’ve all heard or seen the letters “UVA” and “UVB” tossed around, printed on makeup bottles and as stickers on sunglass lenses, but what do they really mean and how do they affect your skin? Both UVA and UVB rays are types of ultraviolet radiation that penetrates Earth’s atmosphere from the sun, and both can cause different types of damage to your skin.
UVA rays, or ultraviolet A rays, are the most prevalent type of ultraviolet radiation on Earth. These emissions are mainly responsible for wrinkles and aging of the skin. The rays sink into the skin, damaging and weakening the cells below our current layer of skin. Protecting yourself from UVA rays should be a constant concern as they are prevalent all year round, and not just when it’s sunny outside. These emissions can penetrate both clothing and windows and are also the predominant “tanning ray.” Every time you enter a tanning bed you are exposing your bare skin to levels of UVA rays 12 times higher than that of the sun, and also increasing your chances of skin cancer by up to 75 percent.
UVB rays (ultraviolet B) are less widespread than UVA rays and are mainly responsible for sunburns. Although these rays don’t penetrate as deeply into the layers of skin as UVA rays, they have a primary role in the formation of skin cancers. Unlike UVA rays, UVB amounts change depending on season and time of day; they are most prevalent during the peak hours of sunshine, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Floridians especially need to be cautious since we have the sun shining on us pretty much 24/7.
Keep in mind, contracting skin cancer is just as terrifying and dangerous as getting any other type of cancer and comes in many forms. Basal cell carcinoma is an uncontrolled growth that occurs in the lower basal cell area of the skin, and is the most common form of cancer found in America. Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the upper most layer of the skin; if left untreated it can become disfiguring. Melanoma is the most deadly of the skin cancers and causes malignant tumors to form; if left untreated it can become fatal. You can help prevent all of these cancers simply by avoiding UV radiation.
Now that you know just what your tan is costing you, how do you prevent these things from happening? One of the most important UV protectants is sunscreen. The most important things to look for when purchasing a sunscreen are that it is SPF 15 or above, and offers broad-spectrum protection (protection from both UVA and UVB rays). You should apply your sunscreen about 30 or so minutes before you expose yourself to the sun so it has time to take affect, and remember to reapply every one to two hours. Other protection tactics include limiting your exposure to the sun, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing (such as beach hats and sunglasses.)
Wouldn’t we all rather preserve our beautiful skin for an eternity than have a nice tan for five minutes and face all the dire consequences? I encourage you to rock your natural skin tone, and keep your youthful look alive. Here’s to your health!