With the world experiencing weather change and global warming, the issue of skin care under the harsh sun has become more important. Your skin can be saved from sun damage by the use of a suitable sunscreen. Sunscreens function by absorbing, reflecting, and blocking the UV rays of the sun.
Harsh exposure to sunlight can cause various issues including age spots, wrinkles, sunburns, and in the worst case it could lead to skin cancer. Before we discuss sunscreens let us understand about UV rays in the sun light that are harmful to human skin.
Types of UV rays
Ultraviolet rays of the sun which impact your skin are of two types – UVA and UVB. UVA, which has a wavelength of 315-400 nanometers is capable of piercing the skin deeply. It typically causes eye damage, skin aging, and wrinkles and may also contribute to skin cancer. UVB rays have a wavelength of 218-300 nano-meters and are absorbed by the ozone layer in most parts before reaching the earth’s surface. This ray can cause sunburns and also skin cancer.
Why is SPF significant?
By using sunscreens, the damaging UVA and UVB waves can be blocked. To choose an appropriate sunscreen, an easy way to decide is by using the SPF value. The Sun Protection Factor measures how competently the cream defends your skin. Applying sunscreen with a proper SPF is necessary to achieve the best results. An SPF above 30 should be used in tropical countries to guard the skin against premature aging, sunburns, white spots, and even cancer.
Types of sunscreens
There are different types of sunscreens available in the market but principally they can be classified into two categories – organic or chemical sunscreen and inorganic or non-chemical. Both of them functions in different ways.
Several chemical compounds are used as sun filters such as oxybenzone, avebenzone, homosalate, and octinoxate. The organic sunscreen acts like a sponge absorbing the UV rays stalling them from penetrating the skin. Some sunscreens may sting for some people because they contain varied chemicals that may not be skin-friendly for people with sensitive skin. For this reason, it is good to reach the composition or check with a dermatologist before using one.
Inorganic sunscreens are the ones that contain minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide ground into minute particles and offered through the lotion. These fine particles can sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the harmful sun rays. These sunscreens are known as sunblock or mineral sunscreens. People with duskier skin tones should use it appropriately, as usage of sunblock may create a white layer on the skin much like overdone makeup.
Broad-spectrum sunscreens, protect against both UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Many sunscreen products combine the inorganic and organic properties to create a broad-spectrum sunscreen. These sunscreens must be used carefully to get the desired result. They can provide good protection to the skin provided you use them appropriately.
In addition to the sunscreen, you can take other measures to protect your skin from sun exposure – like wearing wide-brimmed hats and fully covering the skin with clothes. While these measures for preventing negative effects from harsh sun exposure are also helpful – they are not always practical choices. For various reasons, such measures are not practical solution several real-life situations. As a result, sunscreens are the most appropriate solution for protecting skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure.