UV Exposure and Sun Protection
I've shared lots of information about sunscreen over the last few months, and there's an important reason: the damage that can be caused is too much to not talk about. The last thing I want is for you to invest in your skin here with us at Maui MedSpa, but not keep it protected daily. With the HOT days of summer upon us here in Austin, Tx, I'm going to talk about UV rays and what to do about them.
UV Exposure and Sun Protection
We all know about sunburns and using sunscreen to protect ourselves, but do we know about the specific reasons for this and the damage (other than sunburns) UV exposure can cause? Today, I want to share details of ultraviolet radiation exposure and how to protect yourself.
The sun is the main source of UV radiation with three different types of waves including; UVA, UVB, and UVC. The majority of the UV rays from the sun that reach the ground are UVA rays with a small portion being UVB.
Now, what exactly does this mean for our skin?
UVA rays can cause skin cells to age and are mainly related to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles. They are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers.
UVB rays can damage the DNA in skin cells directly and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.
Now that we have gone over the harm from specific rays, let's talk about some factors related to how the rays are reaching us on the ground.
Some of these factors include:
The time of day
Seasons of the year
Reflection off surfaces
Clouds
UV rays are strongest between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM. As I am sure you can guess, the spring and summer months are the highest time of exposure as well. That means we are in the thick of it here in Austin, Tx in mid-June.
Did you know that UV rays can bounce off surfaces such as water, sand, snow, and even pavement? Before my skincare journey began, I used to believe when the sky was cloudy I was somewhat protected from harmful sun exposure. I now know, and love to share, that this is not the case. UV rays can get through the clouds and still affect us in a major way.
This information specifically is what led me to begin checking my local UV index daily. This lets me know the UV exposure regardless of clouds, time, season, etc.
What is the UV index?
The UV index (Ultraviolet Index) is an international standard of measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation at a particular location and time. The scale ranges from 0-11+ with 0 being no exposure and 11+ being extreme exposure. You can easily find your local UV index by using your favorite search engine and typing in "UV index" and your area code.
Here is an example of a simple UV Index chart:
Ways to protect yourself from harmful rays
1. Daily sunscreen.
2. Reapplication of sunscreen throughout the day according to product recommendations. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplication every 90 minutes.
3. Protective clothing.
4. Protective accessories: hats, sunglasses, etc.
5. Staying in the shade when outside, especially during peak hours of UV exposure.
Schedule a consultation with us today to know more about Maui medspa services, you can also contact us or visit our website for more information.
