How does the sun cause damage to our skin?

We forget about how strong the sun is sometimes especially if we are enjoying ourselves: watching sport, gardening, watching your children play or reading your newspaper outdoors. The sun does not need to feel hot to damage our skin. The heat comes from infra-red rays and not the UV rays and it is possible to burn even on a cool day. The sun is the strongest souce of ulltraviolet radiation (uvr) in our environment and although there are 3 types of UV rays (UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere), there are two types of UV rays from the sun that damage our skin: UVA and UVB. When sunlight passes through the atmosphere most of the UVB is absorbed and only some UVA is filtered by the atmosphere.

UVB radiation has a medium wavelength and penetrates the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, and can cause sunburn and promotes the development of skin cancer. This one is responsible for delayed tanning and burning. SPF Factor creams help to protect you from UVB radiation.

UVA radiation has a longer wavelength and accounts for about 95& of the UVR reaching the earth's surface. It penetrates into the deepear layers of the skin and is the one that gives you that instant tanning effect. Because it goes deeper into the dermis, it affects the elastin and contributes towards wrinkling and skin ageing and is linked to skin cancer. The 0-5 star system help to protect you from UVA radiation.

Its best to look for suncreams that protect you from both UVB and UVA radiation. More below about sun protection and how to read labels.

Sun burn

Basically, your skin burns if you stay too long in the sun and is our body's chemical response to over-exposure to UV rays. What actually happens is that the outermost layers of your skin release chemicals to cause your blood vessels to swell and leak fluids. This causes inflammation, pain and the redness that we often see in sun burnt skin and yes, it hurts. Your skin becomes hot and painful and in severe cases it can cause swelling and blisters. When you peel, this is your body's way of getting rid of damaged cells. Although you grow a new layer of skin, sunburn damage may remain and can cause problems later on in life. Protect yourself and your children as they are at risk too.

When is the worse time to be in the sun?

UV levels are usually highest during the summer months, especially under a cloudless sky, during 11am - 3pm as during these times the sun's rays take the most dirct path to earth. During early morning or late afternoon hours the sun's rays pass at a greater angle through the atmosphere and less UV radiation reach the earth. Its best if you can to spend time in the shade between 11am - 3pm.

• Fresh snow can almost double a person's UV exposure
• Sand reflects about 15%
• Sea foam reflects about 25%
• Grass, water or soil reflect less than 10%

Babies and children

Your baby has very delicate skin and can burn very quickly when exposed to the sun. Babies should be kept out of direct sunlight and should wear protective clothing, including legionairre sunhats and sunglasses. If protection begins as soon as your baby is born and continues through life then hopefully it becomes a lifelong habit if established early. Children should wear sun protective clothing that covers arms and legs and learn to apply sunblock to exposed skin before going outside and re-apply according to the label instructions.

• Use a pram cover and shade for babies even on a cloudy day, and it is recommended that babies under one should stay completely out of the sun
• Wear a sun hat - wide brimmed, legionairre style long flap to cover the neck
• In the car, use window blinds to help keep your children cool and remember that temperatures can rise very quickly in a parked car, even with the windows open. Always take your baby with you.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, or if you are still breastfeeding continue to breastfeed a little more than usual so that baby avoids getting dehydrated. Eating lots of fruit and salad contain water and will help with hydration levels (water melon is delicious)
• Keep playing areas and paddling pools in the shade
• Wear a high factor sun block / cream and apply lots regularly

Sun protection - clothes and creams