Sun & UV
| Did
you know that sunlight is a
form of energy called radiation?
|
Radiation
is any form of energy that travels in waves, just like waves of
water on a pond. The distance between the tops of the waves is called
the wavelength. Some radiation
is like short waves all bunched up while other radiation has long,
stretched out waves. We measure these waves by using a tiny length
of measurement called a nanometer,
or nm for short.
Our
eyes can see radiation if the waves are not too short (close together)
or too long (far apart). We call this radiation visible light. Each
color that we see is light that has a certain wavelength. The color
violet is the shortest wavelength that we can see with our eyes.
Red is the longest. White light is all of the colors that we can
see, mixed together. Sometimes nature separates the wavelengths
for us - we call this a rainbow. The water droplets in a rainbow
act like little lenses that split the wavelengths apart so that
we can see each one as a color. There is another type of radiation that travels at a wavelength too short for us to see with our eyes. This type of radiation is called ultraviolet. Ultraviolet radiation, or UV, is the part of sunlight that can damage your skin. UV travels at three different wavelengths: UVA at 320 to 400 nm, UVB at 290 to 320 nm, and UVC below 290 nm. Since the Earth's ozone layer filters out all of the UVC, we must protect our skin from UVA and UVB only. |
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|
Did
you know that a sunburn is a sure sign that your skin has been seriously
damaged |
Scientists believe that a sunburn may alter the genetic material in the cells of the skin. This can lead to certain kinds of moles or sores that may lead to cancer. Two thirds of the skin damage due to sun exposure happens before the age of 20. This skin damage leads to an increased risk of skin cancer. |
|
Did
you know that UVA travels the furthest into your skin? |
These are the rays that cause your skin to tan. They also can hurt your immune system or even cause cancer. Your body tries to protect itself by making melanin; this is how you get a suntan. A suntan is your body's way of making an umbrella for itself. |
|
Did
you know that UVB is the cause of sunburn? |
UVB is also the main cause of wrinkles and early aging of the skin. UVB also causes cataracts which is damage to the lens or cornea of the eye. Worse yet, it can also cause skin cancer. |
|
Did
you know that Exposure to UV light is not all bad? |
Most of the body's vitamin D supply is generated by the skin's exposure to UVB rays. |
|
Did
you know that it is unsafe to get a tan in a tanning bed? |
Most people think that they are safe because the beds do not emit UVB rays that cause sunburn. The UVA rays that they do emit will make skin age and wrinkle. Worse, some studies suggest that young people who use tanning beds have a greater chance of developing skin cancer later in life. |
|
Did
you know that you should not rely on the use of sunscreens
to protect you against skin cancer? |
Even though they give some protection, you should still limit your time in the sun. |
|
Did
you know that it is a good idea to try to develop a slight natural
suntan unless you have sensitive skin and burn easily? |
Regular and short sun exposure in the early morning or late afternoon will help keep a protective tan and keep your vitamin D stores at a good level. |
|
Did
you know that you should stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 3
PM if at all possible? |
Remember that invisible UV rays are present even on cloudy days. |
|
Did
you know that you should buy and wear sunglasses that filter out
100% of the ultraviolet light to protect yourself against the development
of cataracts? |
Read the label before you buy! Sunspot always wears protective sunglasses. |
|
Did
you know vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium help protect against
the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation? |
Ask your parents or doctor to help you consume the correct amounts of these vitamins. |
|
Did
you know that a SPF30 sunscreen does not filter out twice as much
UVB as a SPF15 sunscreen? |
The SPF15 sunscreen filters out 94% of the UVB rays. A sunscreen with SPF 30 filters out 97% of UVB. |
|
Did
you know that when choosing a sunscreen, it is better to pick a
physical sunscreen than a chemical one? |
A physical sunscreen works by reflecting UVB and contains inert minerals such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or talc. A chemical sunscreen works by absorbing UVB and contains chemicals such as benzophenone or oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) as the active ingredient. These chemicals are oxidants that are not good for you. |
|
Did
you know that you should see your doctor if you spot any unusual
moles or growth on your skin - particularly if they are irregular
in shape, bleed, itch, or appear to be changing? |
Most skin cancers can be cured if caught in time. |