Sun Damage & Sun Protection

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can be divided into categories based on the UV wavelength.

UVC - 100 to 290 nm
UVB - 290 to 320 nm
UVA - 320 to 400 nm

What is UVB Radiation?
- It harms the epidermis (out layer of the skin)
- It is the primary cause for sunburns
- It is most intense from 10am to 2pm
- It does not penetrate through glass

What is UVA Radiation?
- It is the major contributor to skin damage
- It penetrates deeper into the skin
- It is more constant than UVB rays throughout the day
- It does penetrate through glass

Negative Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation:
- Wrinkles
- Skin thickening (solar elastosis) / thinning (easy brusing & tearing)
- Keratoses (sun spots)
- Lentigoes (age spots / liver spots)
- Appearance of telangiectasias & tiny blood vessels
- Collagen break down
- Formation of free radicals
- Interference of DNA repair
- Lowered immunity against infections
- Skin cancer

Various Types of Sun Protection:
- Sunblock lotion / cream / gel / spray (SPF 15 to 30 is adequate)
- Sun:Soul sun apparel (blumöd / yelomöd therapeutic sun wear)
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella

What is SPF?
"SPF" stands for "Sun Protection Factor". The SPF of a sunscreen rates its ability to ward off UVB rays. More specifically, the SPF indicates how long it can resist the UVB radiations. For example, SPF1 = 10mins of UVB protection. So SPF30 = 300 minutes (6 hours) of sun protection.

A sunscreen with an SPF of between 15 and 30 is adequate for daily protection. An SPF15 product filter out more than 93% of UVB rays, and an SPF30 product filters out more than 97% of UVB rays.

What about some sunblocks that indicate "PA+"?
"PA" stands for "UVA Protection Grade". This is more common in Asian countries, especially Japan. The "+" sign indicates the level of protection from UVA radiation. There are 3 grades (PA+, PA++ and PA+++). The more number of "+" signs represents higher UVA protection.

Now What?
With all that damage that the sun can do to us, it is important to use sunscreen daily (whether you stay indoors most of the time or not). Don't just wait till you hit the pool or beach. Use it diligently everyday after cleaning your face and before applying your makeup.

If you are going to be under direct sun for sports activities, do apply sunscreen 30 minutes before the activity. Reapply sunblock every 2 hours, or after sweating or after swimming.

Don't have a sunblock yet? Or looking for sun hats & tops that can treat facial / chest / back acne or even rejuvenate photodamaged skin? Just stock up from any NeuGlow clinic. Visit our website for more info or call the 24hour hotline +65 8298 8000.