By now, most people are aware that the sun’s rays can cause harm, especially for individuals who are fair skinned. There are various sun rays that result in different affects on the body. For example, UVA rays cause aging and tanning while UVC rays filtered by the ozone layer and UVB rays cause sunburn. Melanin in the skin results in the shade of a person’s skin and it offers protection to the skin. The less melanin someone has in their skin means that they are more likely to burn and eventually develop skin cancer.
When the skin turns red after being exposed to too much sun it is considered a sunburn. Sunburn can cause the individual to not feel well as well as develop blisters on the burned area of skin. Sunburn is painful and can be itchy not to mention the skin will eventually peel. The sunburn index is how likely one is to burn.
Individuals of all shades should use sunscreen. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor System, is used to rate sunscreens at how effective they are at protecting the skin from the harmful UVB rays. The SPF simply allows an individual to stay in the sun longer than they would be able to without protection. For example, an SPF 15 allows individuals to stay in the sun 15 times longer than they could without using sunscreen.
UVA filters are found in many sunscreens too because they help protect people from the aging effects of these harmful rays. The sunburn index is simply a way for individuals to know how long they can stay in the sun before their skin begins to burn. This depends on the individual and the melanin in their skin.
Some individuals may be photosensitive and those who are should seriously limit the amount of time they spend in the sun. Also, they will want to apply sunscreen regularly and ensure that they are protected from the sun’s rays as often as possible. Products that contain PABA should also be avoided by individuals who are photosensitive because skin reactions may occur. There are many medications that can increase one’s sensitivity to the sun so people should pay close attention to any medications and side effects. Also, babies and sensitive people should always wear a high SPF sun block, a hat, and even sunglasses to protect their eyes. Apply sunscreen to the back of the neck, ears, and lips because these areas frequently burn as they are overlooked.