As time passes, environmental conditions and other factors affect the body's cells, including that of the organs and the skin. This often leads to deterioration and what we call signs of aging.
Factors like pollution, sleeping position, habits like smoking, exposure to the sun's harsh heat, and extreme cold can all take their toll on one's skin. But among all these, it is perhaps the exposure to UVA that may be affecting your skin without your knowledge as it is not dependent on certain times of the day. It can also penetrate through clouds and glass windows easily. More than 90% of visible skin changes can be attributed to excessive exposure to the sun, and its harmful effects do not exempt anyone.
Here in New Zealand, we are directly under a hole in the ozone layer that even during winter, we still need skin protection from UVA. There's a reason they say Kiwis age much faster than Europeans.
In this post, Healing Bark is going to focus on the effects of UV rays on your skin and how you can protect yourself from those harmful rays:
Harmful Effects of UV Rays on the Skin
UV rays cause the darkening of the skin. Because the skin is constantly exposed to the sun and light, it produces more pigment, which gives it a darker tone.
Excessive exposure to the sun also causes premature aging of the skin.
It also causes changes in the texture of the skin. The skin's uneven texture is caused by environmental factors such as UV rays and pollution.
Constant exposure to the sun also causes pigmentation in the skin.
It also causes inflammation in the skin. Inflammation may lead to a wide array of skin conditions, some of which include acne and skin cancer. Sunburn may also cause inflammation in the skin. It causes skin rashes and allergies. It can even lead to skin cancer.
How to Protect Your Skin from UV Rays
Here are some of the ways you can protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun:
- Wear sunscreen every day.
- Put sun protection on your skin at least 10 minutes before going out.
- Apply sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to maintain your protection level.
- Wear a hat, protective clothing including sunglasses, and a scarf.
- Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day.
What Are Sunscreens?
Sunscreen is a broad term. It refers to any substance that can protect your skin from ultraviolet rays by absorbing 99.9% of the UV rays before they can reach the skin.
It is majorly divided into two categories: Mineral sunscreens and Chemical sunscreens.
Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens have mineral-based compounds which reflect the rays away and provide you with protection. They are naturally found in salt and rocks and are often extracted in chemical laboratories and then further processed to create chemical sunscreen.
It is important to note that not all mineral sunscreens are the same. Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide are the most common mineral-based compounds used in sunscreen lotions.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens have a chemical compound that absorbs the rays before reaching the skin, hence their name. This makes the product more effective in protecting your skin from getting sunburned. But apart from that, it also has some side effects.
Chemical sunscreens are more expensive than mineral sunscreens as they contain chemical compounds like vitamin-A and vitamin-C. These elements help in the manufacturing of the chemical sunscreen by making it more effective by absorbing even far-away UV rays.
Conclusion
To conclude, the harmful effects of UV rays are the leading cause of skin discoloration, sunburn, and skin cancer. You are exposed to UV rays just sitting in your room without even knowing. No matter how small the exposure is, it can still affect your skin. It is often said that prevention is better than cure, so make sure you take note of the tips mentioned above. You should also make sure that you use natural skincare products that help combat signs of aging.
Healing Bark offers you a natural skincare line that can brighten your skin and fight the signs of skin damage caused by the harmful rays of the sun. Try our products today and see the difference Healing Bark makes on your skin!