| Everyday
Sun: Where Most Sun Damage Occurs
Most sun damage is caused by incidental exposure - not lengthy sunbathing
- between the hours of 10 and 4 pm. For example, people who work near
a bright sunny window, or walk or drive a lot get a surprising amount
of UVA exposure in the course of their normal day.
In addition, winter sunlight is as damaging as summer sunlight, yet few
people think to put on sunscreen during the cold weather months. The majority
of melanoma patients are now in their 20's, 30's and 40's. Especially
Baby Boomers who are now starting to see the consequences of their years
in the sun.
Tanning
Salons
Any
dermatologist will tell you to avoid them completely. They are unregulated
by any industry watchguard so you have no assurance of what you're really
being exposed to. The ultra violet-light you receive at any visit varies
in intensity depending on how old the bulb is. Meaning, you could spend
10 minutes in a tanning bed one week and come out with a light glow, but
the very next time you go, get burned in the same amount of time because
the bulb was changed in the interim!
But
Sunscreens Will Protect Me, Right?
We've
come a long way from baby oil, Coppertone tans and the first generations
of sunscreens, but even today's broad-spectrum sunscreens don't protect
entirely from UVA rays. UVB rays are the rays that cause sunburn. UVA
rays, on the other hand, are longer, deeper-penetrating and, according
to dermatologists, appear to alter he skin's structure at a deeper level,
breaking down the collagen and elastin fibers that support the skin and
give it its youthful firmness.
The
Ozone And Skin
As
we all know, the ozone layer is weaker and thinner than it used to be
due to man-made pollution and it's thinner over some areas of the earth
than others. In the U.S., for example, sunlight has been measured to be
1 to 3% stronger than it was in 1978. While that may seem minimal, scientists
say the increase of a few more degrees in temperature or heat can wreck
havoc on the world's fragile eco-system.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
It
seems an ominous warning for the future if we don't act now to reduce
pollution that is destroying the ozone, and indirectly all of nature,
including our skin and that of our children, for generations to come.
PREVIOUS
« You And The Sun» NEXT
You And The Sun HomePage!
Discuss
this article with others right now at Beauty
Tips!
Do
you have a question or comment for Peter? He'd love to hear from you.
Please contact him using this
form. |
100%
Safe & Secure
