UV rays fall all year round, especially from May to August, with the peak in July. If you neglect to take care of your skin by thinking, “I don’t need to wear sunscreen because I don’t go that far,” it can lead to skin aging. It is important to take good care of your skin to prevent this from happening.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to the effects of UV rays on the skin, what you should be aware of when caring for your skin, and recommended sunscreens!
What are the effects of UV rays on the skin?
One of the most common effects of UV rays is skin aging. When UV rays reach the inside of the skin, they destroy skin cells and cause spots and wrinkles. It is said that the more UV light you are exposed to, the more damage it causes.
In addition, UV rays can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and become saggy, dry and rough.
Things to keep in mind when dealing with UV rays
UV rays are most intense from May to August. The peak season is said to be July. Here are some things to keep in mind on a daily basis in order to avoid accidental sunburn.
Stay in the shade as much as possible during the day.
The amount of ultraviolet rays increases during the day around midnight. This is the time when strong ultraviolet rays are pouring down, so do not go outside without taking any precautions.
When you go out, try to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible by walking in the shade or using a parasol to protect your hair as well as your skin from UV rays.
Be careful not to forget to apply sunscreen.
The nape of the neck and behind the ears are areas where it is easy to forget to apply sunscreen. To avoid regrets later, apply sunscreen thoroughly before going out. Some sunscreens for the body also contain skin-loving ingredients, so it is recommended to use sunscreen and beauty care at the same time.
The Unexpected Relationship between Eyes and UV Light
It is said that when ultraviolet rays enter the eyes, the brain produces melanin to protect the body. Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the eyes can cause skin to become sunburned, so get in the habit of wearing sunglasses. There are also types of glasses with UV guards, so choose well and be careful of sunburn from your eyes.
Know the meaning of “SPF” and “PA” in sunscreen.
Sunscreen is an essential part of UV protection, but what are the criteria for choosing it? “It is important to choose the right sunscreen for the right purpose, not just the one with the highest SPF and PA. It’s important to choose the right product for your purpose.
Ultraviolet rays are divided into “A-wave,” “B-wave,” and “C-wave. Of these, the A- and B-waves reach the ground and affect the skin.
UV-A
UV-A rays are called “living ultraviolet rays” and reach the inside of the skin (dermis). Continuous exposure to A-wave can cause wrinkles and sagging.
UV-B
UV-B, which have a shorter wavelength than UV-A, are also known as “leisure ultraviolet rays”. Ultraviolet-B is said to create spots and freckles on the skin surface and cause inflammation.
What is “SPF”?
You often see numbers such as “SPF30” or “SPF50” on the package. SPF is an index of the effectiveness of a product in preventing ultraviolet B-waves from affecting the skin’s surface, and it ranges from 1 to 50+, and it indicates how long the product can suppress inflammation caused by B-waves compared to the time when nothing is applied.
The higher the number, the longer it takes to suppress B-waves. The higher the number, the harder it is on the skin, so SPF 20-30 is recommended for daily use.
What is “PA”?
“PA is a number that indicates the level of protection against A-wave ultraviolet rays, ranging from “+” to “＋＋＋＋”.
PA is a number that protects against A-wave ultraviolet rays, which can cause wrinkles and sagging of the skin, so people who are concerned about anti-aging should check this PA number. It is said that a level of “++” is basically OK for daily life, so it will be important to choose wisely according to the situation.
Let’s take good care of our skin and aim for trouble-free skin.
In addition to using different sunscreens for different occasions, it is also important to apply them evenly and reapply them frequently to protect your skin from UV rays. It is also important to apply sunscreen evenly and reapply it frequently to protect your skin from UV rays.