Aug 8, 2016
The light comes from the sun. There's visible light (ROYGBV) and that light bounces off of things and as it goes in your eyes, that's how you can see things. Along with the light we see, there is ultraviolet light (waves of light that are shorter and more energetic that the violet color light). There are 3 types of UV light - 1 is absorbed and reflected by the atmosphere so it never makes it to us. Then there is UVA and UVB. UVA is more energetic and is most responsible for causing cell mutations that lead to cancer. UVB is less energetic and is most responsible for causing your skin to tan.
UV rays travel through these layers of the skin and stimulate the living and dividing cells to divide more and create more melanin. Reminder: melanin is your skin's natural skin protectant because it will absorb UV rays in the higher layers to help prevent it from reaching the dividing cells.
Step 1: find out how long you can be out in the sun without
protection before your skin starts turning red or burning (example:
15 minutes)
Step 2: Multiply that "unprotected time" by the SPF number on the
bottle (SPF 15) to get your "protected time" (15 x 15 = 225 minutes
= 3 hr 45 min**)
**This is only if you don't sweat and don't get wet. But it's
very hard to be in the sun and NOT sweat. Plus your natural
skin oils dilute it the longer it stays on the skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours no matter what. They also recommend that you use SPF 15 (or higher) sunscreen. It should block UVA and UVB. Use it every day, especially on your face, and use it all year round. The daily UV exposure, if you're unprotected, is what they suspect leads to a greater chance of skin cancer.
They also recommend UV-blocking sunglasses.
Clothes and hats are the best way to protect your skin from sun exposure.
Stay inside during peak hours (10 am - 4 pm) of radiation (less atmosphere to block and deflect sunlight).
Do a monthly, head-to-toe, skin scan to check for new or changing moles, freckles, and skin tags (or get a friend to help). EARLY DETECTION!!
Have your doctor check your skin once a year.
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Music Credits: "Radio Martini" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/