Sunscreen - Wear the right sunscreen like natural and biodegradable sunscreen
Sunscreen and Environment
The sun is so necessary to life and yet, it is the skin's greatest enemy. Exposure to the sun's rays is the most important factor in the ageing of the skin. Every time we expose the skin to the sun, some degenerative damage takes place.
As exposure to sunlight produces free radicals, a new trend in sun-protection products is to include Vitamins E and/or C. Ultraviolet light, smoking and other forms of pollution produce an inflammatory reaction in the cells. New skincare products, which contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, help prevent damage.
Ultravoilet Radiation and Sunscreen
We all know by now that it is the sun's ultraviolet rays that are harmful to the skin. There are many kinds of ultraviolet rays, depending on wavelengths. The UVA and UVB rays are damaging to the skin. The UVA rays have a longer wave-length and do not bum the skin. They, however, penetrate the skin and affect the dermis by causing damage to collagen and elastin, the supportive tissues of the skin. Damage to these lead to the manifestation of the signs that we associate with ageing, like sagging skin, lines and wrinkles.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays also increases the production of melanin, causing the skin to darken. Sun-exposure, in fact, contributes to the development of hyper pigmented skin problems. It is also responsible for allergies and dehydrated skin, even leading to a skin that is fragile and sensitive. Wrinkles, dryness, loss of firmness, and an uneven color tone are all part of what we call sun damage. Both UVA and UVB rays also contribute to the development of skin cancer.
Another cause for alarm is the damage that is being caused to the ozone layer by man-made chemicals, like chlorofluorocarbons. We are gradually being exposed to greater risk, because the ozone layer filters the most damaging part of ultraviolet radiation. Damage to the ozone layer ultraviolet means greater damage to the skin.
How Sunscreen products works?
Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.
Tips while going for sunscreen
When purchasing sunscreen, the Sun Protection Factor or SPF measures how effectively the sunscreen formula limits skin exposure to UV-B rays that burn the skin. The higher the SPF the more protection the sunscreen will provide against UV-B rays. SPF does not measure UV-A. If you are looking for UV-A protection, the experts recommend that you purchase a product that has broad-spectrum protection.
Benefits of Sunscreen
Sunscreen: you slather it on before you go to the beach. It keeps you from being fried to a crisp. It helps prevent your skin from getting that wrinkled, leathery look. And it protects you from the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. Sunburn, caused by a type of ultraviolet (UV) light known as UVB, has served as a surrogate for far more serious conditions like melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinoma, three forms of skin cancer.
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