Ultraviolet rays from the sun can significantly affect your skin and health, making it essential to protect yourself against them. A recent report warned about the UK experiencing some of the highest UV levels ever. As human activities from industrial and consumer products continue, the sun won’t take it easy anytime soon.
Protecting yourself from those sunbeams is a job that lasts all year round. Use shade, wear proper clothing, or dab on SPF 15+ sunscreen to protect yourself and your loved ones. Without a little care, these UV rays can bring up several health problems, including those outlined below.
1. Cataracts and Eye Damage
UV rays from the sun can affect your eyes and lead to cataracts, which can be uncomfortable and impact your eyesight. That is because it makes your lens less clear, possibly leading to blindness if not treated. These UV rays can also bring about other eye issues like pterygiums, skin cancer near your eyelids, and macular degeneration. So, protect your eyes from the sun.
Skin Cancer
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays without proper protection can significantly heighten the risk of skin cancer. These harmful rays can trigger the growth of abnormal cells, potentially resulting in skin cancer types like melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Shielding yourself from these rays using sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade is essential to reduce the risk of sun-related skin cancer.
Suppose you’re overly exposed to UV rays. In that case, it’s crucial to engage in regular skin checks and undergo skin cancer screening and a mole check for early detection and effective management of potential skin cancer developments.
Weakened Immune System
Prolonged time under the sun’s UV rays can affect your body’s immune system. Your skin is pretty good at protecting us from germs and other elements. But too much sun can throw that off, making it harder for the skin to fight infections and the elements. So, when your body’s defence system isn’t at its best because of too much UV exposure, you can expect it to struggle to keep the bad stuff out, weakening your immune system.
Premature Ageing
Exposing your skin to the sun for long periods can speed up ageing, making your skin appear wrinkled and leathery over time. It’s a slow process, often showing up many years after sun exposure, so it’s commonly seen as a natural part of ageing. Surprisingly, up to 90% of the visible skin changes that people think are from getting older are caused by the sun. But here’s the good news: with proper protection from UV rays, you can prevent most premature ageing effects on your skin.
There are three types of UV rays – UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays don’t make it to us on Earth, but UVA and UVB rays are the troublemakers. UVB is the main reason for those painful sunburns, while UVA rays dig deeper and speed up ageing. Both can lead to skin cancer. Yet, they’re also a good source of vitamin D, which our bodies need. It’s all about finding balance and avoiding overexposure.
