UVA and UVB Sun Protection
What’s the Difference?
UV Light Causes Skin Damage
You want to take care of your skin, so you’ll want to protect it from avoidable damage.
The sun produces two kinds of rays: UVA and UVB. Both types of light can potentially damage your skin, causing anything from sunspots and aging to deadly skin cancer. Sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage, and if you’re not sure about which type of product suits your skin, your esthetician will be able to help.
What Are UVA Rays?
UVA rays are a danger to your skin no matter what the weather is doing. They can penetrate clothing and glass, and although beauty salons used to consider them safe and use them in tanning beds, experts know that using tanning beds before the age of 30 can increase your risk of skin cancer by 75 percent [1], so they aren’t recommended now.
UVA rays can damage deeper skin cells, and just getting a tan in on the sun longer is also bad for your skin – the act of tanning will create irreversible skin damage. It won’t show up straight away, though – but in ten or twenty years, it manifests in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, and leathery skin.
What Are UVB Rays?
UVB light is responsible for sunburn. It gets more potent in the summer months or hot climates – also in snow holidays, the sun’s rays can be very bright and reflect off water and snow. UVB is responsible for most skin cancers. UVB is most potent at midday, and the best advice for health and beauty is to protect yourself in the sunshine, wear sunglasses, a sun hat, and invest in superior quality SPF skincare.
UVA and UVB Sun Protection
Choose a good quality sunscreen with a high enough SPF (sun protection factor) – ask your salon or esthetician for advice if you’re unsure whether the SPF is high enough.
Make sure that your sun protection filters UVA as well as UVB. Check for a ‘broad-spectrum coverage’ sunscreen, and make sure that your facial skincare contains an SPF too. Don’t ignore extra protective sunscreen – if it’s hot and sunny, you need to double up even if you have SPF in your moisturizer. There are some great sun products formulated for your face that don’t leave an oily residue.
When you’re out in the sunshine, you need an absolute minimum of SPF 15 – preferably higher. Don’t skimp when applying the product, either. Most people underestimate how much they need to cover their entire body effectively. As a rough guide, you should use around a shot glass volume of sunscreen for your body, and don’t forget delicate areas like your ears, neck, chest, hands, and feet.
If you need advice – speak to your esthetician or book a facial for complete skin care advice. Stay sun safe!
Brilliant Massage & Skin
Burlington, Vermont
