09 Apr Protect your skin this summer

UVA=Always Present

UVB=Always Burn

This is what you should remember about our sun’s rays. UVA Rays are constantly present, no matter the season or the weather. If you think you can’t get sun damage on a cloudy day, tell that to the UVA rays. They are so powerful that they also penetrate some clothing and even glass. UVB Rays are the rays you can blame when you get sunburned. Unlike UVA rays, these rays aren’t always the same strength year round – They’re more prevalent in the summer months and are able to reflect even off of water, so it’s always important to protect yourself even while in the pool or on the lake.

UVB rays are responsible for causing most skin cancers. While large doses of UVA rays can contribute to cancer and are responsible for pre-mature aging, it’s the UVB rays that are commonly to blame.

How to Protect Your Skin…All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but it wasn’t until recent years that sunscreen started including UVA protection. And in fact, not all sunscreens do. To make sure you’re getting effective UVA as well as UVB coverage, look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, plus some combination of the following UVA-screening ingredients: stabilized a avobenzone, ecamsule (a.k.a. MexorylTM), oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. You should look to see that the phrases multi spectrum, broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection is on sunscreen label to ensure proper coverage.