Sun Protection
Ninety percent of all the signs of aging are caused by the damaging rays
of the sun. This includes wrinkles, deep lines, sagging skin, brown spots
and pigmentation, skin cancer, skin roughness and loss of elasticity. There
are two types of harmful rays. These include the UVB ray which is shorter
wavelength and responsible for sunburns. The UVA ray is longer wavelength
and penetrates deeper into the skin and causes breakdown of collagen and
loss of elasticity. Both contribute to skin cancer. UVA is contained in
tanning beds. UVB is present in sunlight and worst during the hours of 10 am
to 3 pm. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) relates to the time it takes the skin
to burn. If it takes you one hour than a SPF 4 will delay this for 8 hours,
and an SPF 10 will delay this 20 hours and so on. Choice of sunscreen
depends not only on the SPF factor, but the types of sunscreens present, and
your skin. Certain types of clothing are more sun protective than others. | 