How to prevent cancer caused by Ultraviolet rays from the sun

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the best natural source of vitamin D. However, too much UV exposure from the sun and other sources is major cause of sunburn, premature ageing, eye damage and skin damage leading to  skin cancer. 

UV cannot be seen or felt. It is not like the sun’s light which we see, or the sun’s warmth (infrared radiation) which we feel. Our senses cannot detect UV so it can be damaging without us knowing. 

There are two types of protective lotions – chemical and physical.

Sunblock, the physical kind, contains both organic and non-organic ingredients that sit on top of the skin acting as a barrier between your skin and damaging UV rays by reflecting or scattering UVB light. Look for products with octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate and octocrylene.

Sunscreen, the chemical kind, penetrates the skin and absorbs the UVA rays before they are able to reach and damage your dermal layer. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the active ingredients in deflecting harmful UV rays before they reach the protective outer epidermis layer of your skin. Another ingredient to look for is ecamsule, which is a photostable sun protectant that blocks out photoaging UVA rays.

Sunblocks are formulated to shield against (ultraviolet burning) UVB rays, while sunscreens protect against (ultraviolet aging) UVA. In order to fully protect your skin, choose a broad-spectrum protection formulated sunscreen that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Luckily these days, formulas often contain a mixture of both sunblock and sunscreen.

Consider your personal needs and habits when deciding the best sun protectant. You may also need to consider your application depending on activity level. For instance, if you’ll be in the water or sweating a lot, it is best to reapply frequently. Sensitive skin may fare better with sunblock since titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are less irritating than some ingredients found in sunscreen.

Adding sunscreen to your daily routine can block UVA, promoting graceful aging and UVB, which can keep your skin from burning. With this new knowledge you can safely minimize your sun exposure risk and choose the right sunblock to best fit your lifestyle.