Ultraviolet (UV) light is better thought of as ultraviolet radiation, as light is a form of radiation emitted from the sun.
Within the UV spectrum, there are two types of rays that can damage the DNA in your skin cells and lead to skin cancer. It’s important to protect your skin from both types:
UVB rays do not penetrate the skin surface very far, consequently, they primarily cause sunburn and play a significant role in the growth of skin cancer. A sunscreen’s SPF number refers mainly to the amount of UVB protection it provides.
UVA rays can pass deeper into the skin, therefore, leading to increased ageing of the skin. They can also cause sunburn. It’s important to look for the words “broad spectrum” on a product’s label, which means it has ingredients that can protect you from UVA as well as UVB rays.
It's important to protect yourself from excessive UV exposure since both UVA and UVB rays can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations and potentially causing skin cancer. Overexposure to UV light can also harm the eyes and contribute to eye conditions such as cataracts.
To minimise the risks associated with UV light, it's recommended to use sun protection measures such as wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing (e.g., hats, long sleeves), sunglasses with UV protection, and seeking shade when the sun is strongest (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number is a measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen products in protecting the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. It indicates how long a person can stay in the sun without getting sunburned compared to the time it would take without any sunscreen.
The SPF number primarily refers to the level of protection against UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns and contribute to the development of skin cancer. The higher the SPF number, the greater the protection offered.
Here's a breakdown of what the SPF number means:
It's important to note that the SPF number primarily indicates protection against UVB rays, but it doesn't necessarily reflect the level of protection against UVA rays. UVA rays contribute to skin ageing and can also cause skin cancer. To ensure broad-spectrum protection, it's recommended to use a sunscreen labelled as "broad-spectrum" that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
It's also important to remember that sunscreen should be applied generously and reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily, regardless of the SPF number. Additionally, sun protection should not rely solely on sunscreen; other measures like seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunglasses are also essential for comprehensive sun protection.
At Beauty Revival we are partnered with Obagi medical skin care range and offer Obagi Sun Shield which is SPF50 tinted moisturiser offering Warm/Cool shades all in one.
Sun Shield Broad Spectrum sunscreens are ideal to provide dailt protection from the sun to prevent signs of skin ageing.
