SKIN TIPS: BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSHINE

Sunshine can be lovely . . . . however, it also contains mischief by the name of ultraviolet radiation.

There are three types of Ultraviolet light in sunshine 'UV-A, B and C.' All three cause skin cancer. The ozone layer helps protect us from UV. It filters out half the UV-A, 90 percent of the UV-B and 100% of the UV-C . Go ozone!

"Without ozone, the Sun’s intense UV radiation would sterilize the Earth’s surface." NASA

UV-A: Passes through the surface of skin; it doesn't burn the surface! Instead it vandalises the deep layers;

• Breaking up the collagen that that gives skin elasticity causing thick leathery skin, or fragile, thinned skin like 'tissue paper' and also 'turkey flesh' and wrinkles!

• Radiating pigment cells, until they eventually die, making the white spots where the skin has lost the pigment's protection, and that is more likely to sprout cancer.

• In areas like the hands and face, triggering overproduction of pigment causing the dark 'liver spots' of old age. In the upside, other than looking 'livery', these have no relationship to your liver health. Alcohol taken on a sunny day does. Remember that 3 alcohol free days a week gives the liver a chance to heal the 'alcohol scabbing'; 'is life worth living? . . . it depends on the liver'.

UV-B: Can't get through the skin and so instead;

• It collects on the surface causing sunburn

• Plants cancer 'seeds'

UVA = Aging

UVB = Burning

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TRIVIA

Tanning beds deliver UV-A because it doesn't cause sunburn. Nowadays we understand that it does cause premature aging and skin cancer.

Sun beds are like cigarettes ..why would you?

On 4th January 2017, it became illegal in New Zealand for anyone under the age of 18 to use a tanning bed.

Australia and Brazil lead the world with a total ban on tanning salons.

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TODAY'S TIP: IS YOUR SUN SCREEN " BROAD SPECTRUM"?

'Sunscreen' with 'sun protection factor' ('SPF') doesn't always mean skin cancer protection,

• 'SPF' only measures protection; from sunburn; some 'high SPF' sunscreens only block UV-B! They don't block UVA radiation or the damage and the cancers it causes!

• Only a 'Broad Spectrum Sunscreen" blocks both UV-A and UV-B

• If a sunscreen isn't labelled 'broad spectrum", assume it is unsafe.