UV Safety Month - Sun Safety Tips
Connected Health
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July Health Awareness Month -UV Safety
What is UV radiation?
UV radiation, or Ultraviolent radiation, is natural energy produced by the sun and some artificial sources such as tanning beds. These rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye, making it much more dangerous. There are three types of UV rays, UVA, UVB, and UVC, which all penetrate your skin's layers differently.?
What is UVA, and UVB?
UVA
?Ultraviolet A is long-wave light from 320 nm to 400 nm that accounts for about 95 percent of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface. UVA is present at daylight of any hour and reaches the surface more often than others, which makes it much more dangerous than UVBs. You cannot feel the effects of UVA damaging your skin due to this ray being the tanning process, but those unfelt UVA rays reach the dermis layer of your skin.
UVB
Ultraviolet B is a wavelength from 290 nm to 320 nm responsible for sunburns and skin discoloration. They have shorter wavelengths and higher energy levels, affecting the outermost layer of your skin and damaging the most DNA. UVBs cause the most skin cancer, especially melanoma and can lead to premature aging. UVBs are much more robust in sunnier climates and more damaging at higher altitudes.?
What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
The main difference between UVA and UVB is the wavelength. UVA has a much longer wavelength at lower energy levels which penetrates the skin more profoundly, and UVB wavelength is much shorter and only reaches the top layer of the skin. UVA affects skin aging by damaging collagen and elastin, and UVB affects skin burning by damaging DNA and causing mutations.
What is UV Index?
The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the intensity of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation. It shows you the risk of unprotected sun exposure. The different index numbers show the strength of the UV radiation. The higher the number, the more significant the damage potential for your skin.
?Protecting Yourself from UV Radiation
Connected Health’s View on UV Safety
Alana is a Physician Assistant at Connected Health who is an expert on topics of skin protection. She wrote,
“It is important to remember that skin damage is a cumulative effect. Years of sun exposure with poor protection increases the risk of developing pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions on the skin, especially those with fair complexions. I typically recommend a mineral sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. In addition, I think it is essential also to cover up! I recommend hats and sunglasses, as chronic UV exposure can negatively affect our eyes. It is important clinically to be on the lookout for medications that can also increase the risk of sunburn/sun damage. At Connected Health, we recommend yearly skin checks with a dermatologist for preventative skin health. “
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Connected Health at (724) 933-4300.
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Connected Health, located in Wexford, PA offers concierge primary care that is accessible, personalized, and proactive. Everyone’s healthcare journey is different. Through our personalized approach, we firmly believe that having high-touch, relationship-based medical care saves patients time and money while improving their health. Connected Health is accepting new patients. To schedule a consultation, please call 724-933-4305