What Is The Difference Between UVA/UVB Sun Rays? Plus 6 Sun Exposure Tips!

Years ago I read the ‘The Healthy Skin Diet’ by nutritionist Karen Fisher and she had a whole chapter devoted to ‘becoming a hat person’. I am still yet to become one 😉 But now that I am in my thirties I am thinking that I should probably start – better late than never! Getting a really funky hat that you feel excited to wear is probably a good place to start with becoming a hat person! See the hottest EY MAG trucker hat picks below! -B xx

The cheapest, easiest and most effective way to protect your facial skin while out in the sun simply is to wear a hat and to become a ‘hat person’! Sunglasses will only protect your skin to a point whereas a hat is going to give you that much greater protection on all areas of your face. Hats not only help to protect the skin on your face – they also help to protect your hair! The sun’s rays can damage our hair and dry it out plus if you are regularly colouring your hair wearing a hat will also help your hair colour to last that much longer!

There are three types of rays that the sun emits. UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC does not reach the earth and is absorbed by our ozone layer (1).

UVA RAYS (Ultraviolet A – A for Ageing):
These are the sun’s long-wave rays. They have the ability to penetrate deeper through the top layer of the skin (epidermis) into the deeper layers of the skin (the dermis). UVA rays are largely responsible for wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun spots and elasticity loss. Once your skin is sun damaged it will have a hard time holding onto moisture and can start to look much dryer and it will also struggle to protect itself against further skin damage. UVA is able to penetrate through clouds and glass windows and is what we are mostly exposed to year round. Scientific research initially thought that UVB rays were the main cause of skin cancers while new research is now showing that UVA rays could play a part also (1).

UVB RAYS (Ultraviolet B – B for Burning):
UVB rays are the short-wave rays that are involved in tanning and sunburn and largely only affect your skin’s outer layers. When you allow your skin to tan in the sun you are actually causing damage to your skin’s DNA! UVB rays are also what tanning beds emit. These are the rays that are most associated with all skin cancers (1). Karen Fisher says in her book that sunscreen is only really effective against UVA and does not protect against the free radical damage to cells that UVB rays can cause. Therefore the need for a good hat as a backup!

Skin Cancer Awareness:
Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause genetic mutations in our skin by damaging the skin’s cellular DNA (which is what happens when we tan or burn!). This can then lead to skin cancers and the more dangerous melanomas. Melanomas can appear as an existing spot or a new freckle or mole that changes colour/shape/size, they are also known to have irregular edges and can appear anywhere on your body. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common and least dangerous skin cancers they will appear as a red/scaly/pearly lump or area. Squamous cell carcinomas appear as a thickened, red spot that could bleed/ulcerate and are mostly found on sun-exposed body areas. Be aware to regularly self-check your own body and get someone else to help you take photos of your skin also for comparison. Scheduling a regular ‘mole-map’ or check-up may also be advisable as a precautionary measure!

TIPS FOR SUN EXPOSURE:

1. This goes without saying but never use tanning beds or allow your skin to tan or get burnt in the sun!
2. Wear sunscreen every day especially on your face/neck/chest/backs of your hands – these areas are the most likely to show signs of sun damage. Re-apply if you are out of doors ESPECIALLY if you are using a natural ‘barrier method’ sunscreen.
3. Avoid being out in the sun for long periods especially between the times of 10am-3pm and always seek shade when you are at the beach during this time.
4. Cover up with loose flowy clothing in Summer to help protect your skin!
5. We need some sun for vitamin D synthesis – this is very important because if we don’t get adequate vitamin D then we can be at risk for serious diseases plus vitamin D helps our bones to stay nice and strong. There is much controversy surrounding this! A dermatologist would say NO unprotected sun exposure is necessary because sunscreen does not 100% protect your skin and it also wears off throughout the day. Natural health practitioners would probably advise small amounts of unprotected exposure. Allow the skin on your arms and legs to receive small amounts of sun every day. Around 10 minutes out of the peak times of between 10am-3pm should be sufficient. We should get this anyway with our usual daily activities. In Winter it might pay to get your vitamin D levels checked and then supplement if necessary.
6. Then finally wear a hat and become a ‘hat person’! We’ve got you covered! See our trucker hat picks below: