The Basics of Sun Protection
Sunlight helps planet earth sustain life, although it also carries risk because too much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can raise the risk of developing skin cancer. UVR is present in every sunray that gets absorbed into your skin. Of course we all need a very small amount so that our bodies can produce the much-needed vitamin D, but too much exposure can lead to the formation of skin cancer cells later in life.
Thankfully there are plenty of sun protective measures we can take to reduce the amount of UVR we are exposed to on a regular basis. Sunscreen and sun protective swimwear and clothing provide the key to full protection against the sun’s harmful radiation. There are three different ways that sun protection is measured. The SPF, or sun protection factor, applies to sunscreen, lotions, makeup, and other products that are applied directly to the skin. The UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, applies to clothing, swimwear, and other garments. The EPF, or eye protection factor, applies to sunglasses and eyewear.
When choosing sunscreen, always look for an SPF of 30 or greater. This number means that the product gives the skin 30 times the sun protection that bare skin has. Sunscreen absorbs, reflects, or scatters ultraviolet radiation when it reaches the skin. Applying it correctly is important for making sure that it provides the full sun protection it offers. The type of skin you have, the time of day and year it is, and how much cloud coverage there is all reflect how well sunscreen works at a given moment.
The UPF ranges on a scale from 2 to 50+. Garments with UPF prevent the UVR from even reaching the skin underneath. They can provide up to 99 percent coverage from ultraviolet radiation. Clothing and swimwear with UPF ratings of 40 to 50+ offer the best sun protection available.
EPF is measured on a scale from one to ten, and like UPF and SPF, higher number equal greater sun protection. It is also important to make sure that the sunglasses you choose provide UV sun protective against both forms of radiation from the sun: UVB and UVA.
The sun is certainly a vital part of life on our planet, but it is becoming increasingly important that we all learn how to take care of our skin and keep it from getting damaged. Your skin is a precious gift, and how you take care of it is up to you.
About Author :
Sally Michael has been actively designing kids swimwear for more than 14 years. Her goal is to raise the general awareness of the sun exposure and its effect on children’s skin. Her active promotion of sun safety worldwide is centred around gorgeous collections of sun protective swimwear for babies, toddlers and children.
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