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Despite the fact that only 5% of solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface, it is very powerful. There are several types of radiation: UVC rays trap the ozone layer, while UVA and UVB rays reach the ground and act on our skin.
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.
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.