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UVA RAYS: AND AS IN THE WORDS AGING (“AGEING”) AND ALLERGY
UVA rays, which reach the surface of the earth all year round and even through clouds, make up 95% of all ultraviolet radiation. They penetrate clouds, glass and the epidermis. Unlike UVB rays, they act painlessly, however, they penetrate very deep into the skin and reach the dermis cells. The rays provoke the synthesis of free radicals, and their effect is felt afterwards:
- photoaging: a change in the direction of elastin and collagen fibers, as a result of which the skin loses its elasticity, wrinkles appear;
- hypersensitivity to the sun, more commonly called allergies (redness, itching, summer sun dermatitis);
- pigmentation disorders (pregnancy mask, age spots);
- skin cancer.
WHO MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT SOLAR ALLERGY?
Most often women aged 15 to 35 years.
Moreover, they go to the doctor not only in the summer, as one might assume. A ski trip in the winter or a few hours on the open terrace of a cafe in the spring can cause small red dots, often slightly bulging, these unattractive dots can also appear on the neck, forearm and legs. If the exposure to the sun continues, the skin gradually gets used to it, and these signs disappear.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SUN ALLERGY IN SUMMER?
Such an allergy begins suddenly, without any initiating factors other than exposure to sunlight.
If an allergy to the sun has appeared, then it will manifest itself systematically when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, I recommend that my patients, especially those with sensitive skin, use an effective UVA and UVB protection product.
ARE THERE MEDICINES THAT CAN PREVENT SUN ALLERGIES?
I recommend using nutritional supplements containing beta-carotene, selenium, and probiotics.
They should be taken a month before the start of active sun exposure, as well as during the stay. To avoid aggravating allergies, I prescribe synthetic antimalarial drugs to be taken 10 days before the expected active exposure to the sun. Less commonly, I use phototherapy, which involves exposure to ultraviolet light before sun exposure. I try to avoid complex exposure of patients to ultraviolet rays.
UVB RAYS: B AS IN “BURNS” OR “BRONZED SKIN”
UVB rays make up 5% of all ultraviolet that reaches the earth’s surface. They contain a large amount of energy, and some of them are blocked by clouds and glass. These rays can penetrate the epidermis. Thanks to them, people not only sunbathe, but also burn, allergies appear, and skin cancer can develop. That’s why it’s important to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.