Sun Sense
We’ve seen that UV rays from the sun are both harmful to the skin, causing, at best premature wrinkling, and at worst, malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Harmful UV rays are more intense in the summer, at higher altitudes and closer to the equator. The sun’s harmful effects are also increased by wind and reflections from water, sand and snow. Even on cloudy days UV radiation reaches the earth.
Protection From The Sun
We all love the sunshine- it make us feel good. Without it, there could be no life on this planet. The action of sunlight on human skin produces Vitamin D, a nutrient vital for life. However, sun on unprotected skin is damaging and, in order to enjoy the sun safely, you should use a broad-spectrum sun protection to help prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. Sunscreens are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, and sticks. All are labelled with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) numbers. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from the UVB rays it will offer, and you should also protect yourself from UVA rays. Most sunscreens offer both UVA and UVB protection.
