Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than x-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV. It is so named because the spectrum consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies higher than those that humans identify as the color violet.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can damage DNA, the critical geneticmaterial in every cell of every person. When damaged by UV radiation from sunlight or artificial light sources such as sun lamps and tanning booths,DNA loses its power to control how and when cells grow and divide.Sometimes, this DNA damage leads to the formation of skin cancer.
How do you protect your skin from UV radiation and skin cancer?
Avoiding skin cancer can be as simple as protecting your skin and taking a good look at it regularly. While sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting your skin from UV radiation, it cannot prevent skin damage if you are exposed to the sun’s rays for long periods of time. Experts recommend that you use multiple methods to fully protect your skin.
Protect your skin
Stay out of the sun during the peak hours of UV radiation, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wear protective clothing:
Wide-brimmed hats that protect the face and neck
Tightly-woven clothing made of thick material, such as unbleached cotton, polyester, wool, or silk
Dark clothing with dyes added that help absorb UV radiation
Loose-fitting long-sleeved clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible
Clothing that has sun protection factor (SPF) in the fabric that does not wash out
Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, summer and winter, on both cloudy and clear days:
SPF of 11 offers minimal protection.
SPF of 12 to 29 offers moderate protection.
SPF of 30 and above offers high protection.
Apply sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation to all exposed skin, including lips, ears, back of the hands, and neck. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going in the sun, and reapply it every 2 hours and after swimming, exercising, or sweating.
Wear wraparound sunglasses that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation.
Be careful when you are on sand, snow, or water, because these surfaces can reflect 85% of the sun’s rays.
Avoid artificial sources of UVA radiation, including sunlamps and tanning booths. Like the sun, they can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
A child’s skin is more sensitive to the sun than an adult’s skin and is more easily burned. Babies younger than 6 months should always be completely shielded from the sun. Children 6 months and older should wear sunscreen whenever they are exposed to the sun. Teach children the ABCs of how to protect their skin from sunburns:
Away: Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day.
Block: Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to protect sensitive skin.
Cover up: Wear clothing that covers the skin, with hats on heads and sunglasses with UV protection over eyes.
Speak out: Teach others to protect their skin from sun damage.
