Sunny or cloudy: How to protect your skin from UV rays?
- Advertising Marketing
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
UV (ultraviolet) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation. Like all radiation, it is energy that spreads as it travels. Exposure to UV rays, whether from the sun or other sources, is a major risk factor for skin cancer.
Sunshine
Sunlight is the primary source of UV radiation, and the degree of UV exposure a person receives depends on the intensity of the rays, the length of time the skin has been exposed, and whether it is protected with clothing or sunscreen.
You can't avoid sunlight completely, but there are ways to make sure you don't get too much sun when you're outdoors.
Effective tips to protect your skin from UV rays:
Simply staying in the shade, especially during midday hours, is one of the best ways to limit exposure to ultraviolet rays from sunlight.
Protect your skin with clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat that protects your head, face, and neck.
Wear UV-blocking glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around them.
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to help protect skin not covered by clothing.
It is also important to avoid tanning beds, tanning booths, sunlamps, and other artificial sources of UV radiation.
Does UV radiation cause cancer?
Yes, UV exposure, whether from sunlight or tanning beds, is a risk factor for all types of skin cancer, but it is higher for people with a weakened immune system, a personal or family history of skin cancer, and those with large moles.
Many studies indicate that basal and squamous cell skin cancers are linked to certain behaviors, as well as a history of sunburns and sun-related skin damage, such as:
Spending time in the sun for recreation (including going to the beach)
Spending a lot of time in the sun with exposed or unprotected skin
Living in an area that receives a lot of sunlight
Having had severe sunburns in the past (with more sunburns linked to a higher risk)
Having signs of sun damage to the skin, such as age spots (solar lentigo), actinic keratoses (rough skin lesions that may be precancerous), and solar elastosis (dry, thick, wrinkled skin caused by sun exposure) on the neck.