People are at last starting to recognize that though sunlight is a significant element of all outdoor activities and a big mood enhancer, unrestrained exposure may contribute to often unpleasantness. A bad sunburn represents the most direct result of excess exposure. Long term, surplus exposure may harm the skin causing it to be prone to wrinkling and worse, the development of skin cancer.

When do you require sunlight protection?

MDs will assure you that sun protective cover is required every time and they are correct. Realistically nevertheless it is crucial to protect yourself and your loved ones anytime you'll be spending time outdoors between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, while the sun UV radiation are at their peak.

People do not realize that they could still get sun burn even if the sun isn't shining. Overcast days could be some of the worst times for being outdoor in the sun without proper UV protection. And since ultraviolet radiation rays can reflect off certain surfaces, people should be more protective from the sun when snow is covering the ground and also while in the water, specially if lying or playing on the sand and also when around cement or grass surface.

Understanding ultraviolet radiation rays

UV rays are the several wavelengths of energy that are created by the sun. Although dangerous, the sun's energy is essential to human life. Luckily, as life on earth has evolved and so has the ability and capacity to endure UV rays. The most crucial shelter against the harmful ultraviolet radiation rays is the ozone layer - a layer in the stratosphere that absorbs nearly most of the several types of UV rays prior to reaching earth.

Almost all of this radiation from the sun is not visible to the human naked eye. The fact that the radiation is mostly invisible is likely the reason why the sun can be so harmful. It's hard to convince a person to protect against something that can not be seen. From the several types of ultraviolet rays, the 2 that are responsible for skin damage are UVA and UVB rays. The sun also producess UVC damaging rays, which fortunately can't get through the ozone layer and hence pose no threat to mankind.

The longer wavelength and more prevailing of the two UV radiation, UVA rays are responsible for long-term skin damage because they are absorbed deep into the human skin. Their intensity remains consistent irrespective of the time of day or time of year. As for UVB rays which are shorter wavelength, they cause the skin to tan or sunburns. Our human bodies need UVB rays to produce Vitamin D, which is an important and necessary vitamin. UVB rays strength varies during the day and time of the year, such as altitude and distance from the equator.

The UV Index is a scale tool measures from 0 to 11 (from low to high or extreme) and it is utilised to find out the strength of the sun UV radiation, especially the likelihood or odds for which the skin will or will not be affected when exposed to the sun for different time period.

How to protect yourself from UVA and UVB?

The most crucial and significant method for protecting your skin is to wear sun protection clothing which have ultra-protection factor of UPF50+, this means over 97.5% of UV rays are blocked and can not penetrate the fabric. UPF50+ is the highest rating given to sun protection clothing garments as certified by ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection And Nuclear Safety Agency). Also it is important to wear a sun hat, and use sunscreen (at least SPF30+) on exposed skin where and when possible. Avoid direct sunlight, seek shade, and wear UV protection sunglasses.