With summer here, people are looking forward to swimming in pools. It’s crucial to remember to safeguard your eyes and skin during this activity as it can be hazardous. According to WebMD, many individuals are admitted to the emergency room yearly due to eye and skin burns.
This post will teach you the two essential items for a fun and safe summer. To prevent damage to your skin and eyes caused by the sun, use these essential products:
Sunglasses
It’s important to know that sunglasses are both fashionable and also serve the crucial purpose of protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. They come in various shapes and tints and are much needed when lounging by the pool or engaging in outdoor activities. Understanding how sunglasses protect your eyes is vital to maintaining good eye health.
How Do Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes?
Sunglasses are a fashion accessory and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Experts recommend choosing sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays. Make sure to add a pair to your wardrobe today!
The Risks
Did you know that UV rays from the sun can harm your eyes? The two main types of these rays are UVA and UVB, which are strongest between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. It’s important to note that these rays can penetrate different parts of your eye, with UVA rays reaching the retina in the back and UVB rays reaching the cornea in the front. One way to protect your eyes is to wear sunglasses that block UV rays, which can help prevent potential damage or vision loss.
Different Types of Sunglasses Lenses
Different occasions require different types of lenses. For example, some lenses are designed for driving, while others are ideal for extra bright areas or convenience. Let’s take a look at the different types of sunglass lenses, how they work, and which one is right for a specific situation:
- Gradient: Gradient lenses shield your eyes from overhead sunlight by having a tint that gradually fades from the top down. It also enables more light to pass through the bottom half of the lenses.
- Mirror-Coated Lines: Mirror-coated lenses are great for sunny days but may give someone the appearance of a secret agent.
- Photo-Chromatic: Transition lenses, also known as photochromic lenses, adjusts their tint when exposed to sunlight automatically.
- Prescription: Say goodbye to clip-on or magnetic sun lenses. You can now opt for prescription sunglasses tinted to your desired darkness.
- Polarized Sunglasses: When someone is near a pool without sunglasses, the reflections from the water can cause discomfort or vision problems due to glare. Polarized sunglasses can help in this situation. These sunglasses have a unique chemical coating on the lenses that use a vertical pattern; it helps to reduce glare and protects the eyes from sun damage.
The Skin
We expose our skin to ultraviolet radiation every time we step outside. Summer is a beloved season, especially with longer days and more opportunities for activities like swimming in a pool.
According to doctors, getting some sun is good for us since it helps our bodies produce vitamin D, strengthens our bones and teeth with calcium, boosts our immune system, and even keeps our minds sharp. However, too much sun exposure can also be dangerous due to the harmful radiation from the sun’s rays.
The number of cases of skin cancer and melanoma is increasing each year. Sunscreen is an easy and effective way to prevent these types of cancer.
Filters and Blockers
Selecting a sunscreen from the numerous choices can be challenging. It’s essential to know that there is a distinction between sunscreen and sunblock, and the preference between the two is subjective. Dermatologists can offer advice on differentiation.
When you apply sunscreen, it absorbs the UV rays that can harm your skin. The type of filters in the sunscreen will depend on the range of UV rays they can absorb. Some protect against UV-A rays, while others shield you from UV-B rays. Using sunblock helps prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin.
Since 2013, the FDA has implemented new product packaging and information regulations. This information includes whether the product is water-resistant and can prevent skin cancer, as well as the level of skin protection factor (SPF) that protects against UV radiation.
Safeguard your skin against sun damage using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, as medical experts recommend. If you apply a product with SPF 50 to your skin, it will take 50 times longer to tan or burn than going without sun protection.
Take Care of your Skin
Using sunscreen or sunblock is more important than worrying about the best brand. Don’t leave your product unused in your beach bag. Apply it all over your body, wait 15 minutes for it to absorb, then get dressed. Remember to reapply it every two hours, even if you’re indoors. You can also get a lip balm with SPF protection to protect your lips. Also, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses helps to block harmful UVA and UVB rays. For the best times to limit sun exposure, try to go out early in the morning (between 8:00 am and 10:00 am) or late in the afternoon (after 3:00 pm).
The Science Behind UV
Did you know that UV light is a type of radiation that isn’t visible to the naked eye? This radiation can penetrate the skin, leading to changes that could promote cancer cell growth. Overexposure to sunlight can cause skin irritation, loss of elasticity, and shedding of dead skin cells. Skin cancer and photoaging are the two main risks of UV radiation exposure, primarily from the sun, lamps, and tanning beds.
Ultraviolet rays come in different types – UV-B, UV-A, and UV-C. Among these types, UV-B is more harmful as it causes skin cancer and aging faster than UV-A, although both can cause cancer. Even on cloudy days, UV-B can penetrate the clouds and burn your skin. Although there is no direct sunlight, you may still be exposed to UV rays on cloudy days and stay outside longer without realizing the harm you’re causing your skin.
Possible Consequences
- Skin Cancer: The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause significant harm, with basal cell carcinoma being the most common type of skin cancer. Although not typically fatal, it often necessitates surgical removal of cancerous skin areas, which can result in scarring.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to chronic skin lesions, particularly in older adults and those with fair or light skin. It is a type of skin cancer more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma.
- Melanoma: UV ray exposure can lead to the most dangerous outcome, which is melanoma. You may not feel it; it can lead to death if not diagnosed. The number of cases of this type of skin cancer has increased in recent years.
- Photoaging: A common condition that often leads to the skin developing wrinkles, brown spots, and precancerous lesions.
- Eyes: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can harm your eyes, leading to conditions like cataracts caused by UV rays. Therefore, wearing sunglasses is crucial to safeguard your eyes.
Many doctors, primarily dermatologists, recommend that everyone have a skin self-examination once a month to see if any change is detected. Suppose you notice any changes in the appearance of a mole that already exists, such as growth or a color change. In that case, seeing a doctor immediately for a proper evaluation is important.
Apply sunscreen or sunblock for at least 15 minutes before stepping outside. While following recommendations is important, it’s best to consult with your doctor before beginning any new treatments.