The Science of Sunscreen
We all know that the sun's rays can be bad for our skin, but why is that exactly? And why is sunscreen so important? In this blog post, we'll dive into the science of why the sun's rays are harmful to our skin and how sunscreen can help protect us.
Why are the sun's rays bad for the skin?
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Of these, UVC rays are the most harmful; however, they're also the shortest in wavelength and don't penetrate the Earth's atmosphere. This leaves us with UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause damage to our skin.
UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays and are responsible for causing premature aging, such as wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays are shorter in wavelength and don't penetrate as deep into the skin as UVA rays; however, they're more intense and are responsible for causing sunburns. Both UVA and UVB rays can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
This is where sunscreen comes in. Sunscreen helps to protect our skin by absorbing or reflecting the sun's harmful UV radiation. When choosing a sunscreen, it's important to look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection, which means it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, you'll want to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Now that you know a little bit more about why the sun's rays are harmful to our skin and why sunscreen is so important, you can make informed decisions about how to best protect yourself from the sun's harmful UV radiation. So go out there and enjoy those sunny days—just don't forget your sunscreen!
