The sun is fun and good for us, but too much exposure is dangerous and can cause sunburn, skin aging, and cancer.

Harmful ultraviolet rays reflect off the water and light-colored surfaces like sand and concrete.

Our bodies deplete their natural defense against UV rays throughout our lifetime. They are irreplaceable.

UV rays are strong enough to penetrate the surface of the water and are effectively magnified. In shallow water, the rays can reflect off a sandy bottom. Being underwater can therefore be deceptive due to the cooling effect of the water.

Protecting skin as early as childhood can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging as an adult. Defending skin from the sun’s rays could prevent about 80% of skin cancers.

Facts About Sun Exposure

We all need some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need, and unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and even cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.

Most kids rack up between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, so it’s important that parents teach their children how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. With the right precautions, you can greatly reduce your child’s chance of developing skin cancer.

The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning, and other skin damage.

Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. Because UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer (the protective layer of the atmosphere, or shield, surrounding the earth), they make up the majority of our sun exposure. Beware of tanning beds because they use UVA rays. A UVA tan does not help protect the skin from further sun damage; it merely produces color and a false sense of protection from the sun.

UVB rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and immune system damage. They also contribute to skin cancer. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but enough of these rays pass through to cause serious damage.

UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the earth. What’s important is to protect your family from exposure to UVA and UVB, the rays that cause skin damage.

Source: kidshealth.org

UV Rays

UV Rays cannot be seen or felt directly. It does not produce heat. Instead, UV rays’ effects are felt in the long run by the damage UV-A and UV-B does by penetrating and changing the structure of skin cells. UV can go right through many types of clothing as well as automobile and residential windows. Exposure comes not only directly from the sun, but also from reflected sources in the environment and the open sky. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary steps to prevent damage from UV rays. The Effects of Long-Term UV exposure:

Skin Cancer (Basal, Squamous, and Melanoma)
Premature Aging
Wrinkles
Dark patches (liver spots)
Cataracts in the eyes

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Used primarily with sunscreen, SPF measures the length of time skin is protected against sunburn from UV-B rays compared to unprotected skin. SPF is accurate only with proper application and re-application of the sunscreen. Insufficient application quantity, activity, swimming, and other factors can impact the SPF of sunscreens. Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UV Protection factor or UPF) Ultraviolet Protection Factor (or UV Protection Factor) is similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor). UV Protection Factor is applied to the fabric rather than sunscreen. The table below shows the relative UV Protection from various UPF ratings.

Clothing possesses different UV Protection Factor. Therefore, certain clothing and the fabric used to make the clothing is better for sun protection from damaging UV rays.