What a difference a few moles can make. Whereas I was once voted as the high school student most likely to have a tan, I am now considered the most sunscreen savvy mom in my daughter’s playgroup.
My transformation didn’t come without suffering several severe sunburns. Each and every one of them is seared into my memory, mainly because they were so incredibly painful. With summer just a few weeks away I thought now would be a good time to re-educate sun lovers about the importance of solar protection.
These days most of us are well aware of SPF, but how well versed are you about UVB, UVA, and the term “broad-spectrum protection.” Pick up a bottle of sunscreen in 2007 and you may actually (gasp) have to read an ingredient label or two.
Here’s how my dermatologist explained the letters to me: Ultraviolet light from the sun travels to earth in several wavelengths: UVA, UVB and the rarely mentioned UVC (which is blocked out by the Earth’s ozone layer). UVB may be the one you are most familiar with. It’s the one that damages the outer layer of the skin and has long been recognized as the leading cause of sunburn and as a major contributor to skin cancer and skin aging.
Decades ago when sunscreens were originally developed, they were made to prevent sunburn and targeted only UVB rays. The SPF number you see on sunscreen containers refers to the UVB burning protection a product offers. But recently, researchers have learned that UVA rays damage deeper layers of the skin and play a role in wrinkling and spotting. In other words, doctors are now learning that UVA magnifies the effects of UVB.
So what does that mean for you and your family? First, it’s important to realize that UVA rays, unlike UVB rays, are potent year-round and at all times of day, and they pass through windows so they pose a more constant threat. That said it is critical to look for sunscreens that offer “broad spectrum” products with UVA blockers.
And remember, sunscreen is just one part of the protection package. Dermatologists recommend wearing protective clothing, eyewear, and broad rimmed hats.
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