What we know about UV rays
What we know about light and light protection
UV rays are divided into three main parts: UV-C 100-280 nm, UV-B 280-320 nm, and UV-A 320-400 nm, the latter being further divided into two sub-parts UV-A1 is the range between 340-400 nm, while UV-A2 is the range between 320-340 nm. The UV-C range is absorbed in the ozone layer around the Earth, such that the energy of the UV-C photon causes the triatomic oxygen molecule ozone(O3) to revert to the normal diatomic oxygen(O2) molecule, supporting life on Earth.
UV-A rays have longer wavelengths (320-400 nm), penetrate deeper into the skin (down to the papillary layer of the dermis) and damage the elastic fibres of the dermis, causing ageing, sun allergy, abnormal pigmentation and even cancer.
The shorter wavelength UV-B rays (280- 320 nm) penetrate the dermal layer of the skin and are responsible for tanning and sunburn.
The SPF gives good information on the efficacy of the product mainly in the UV-B range. Its measurement is based on the time of appearance of redness after exposure to the sun. Although there is no international standardisation of the maximum SPF value for sunscreens, individual countries have their own regulations. The current EU regulation, in force since September 2006, sets the maximum SPF at factor 50.
Measurement: the minimum erythema dose (MED) is determined on the basis of the erythematogenic effect of ultraviolet light, i.e. the appearance of redness after sun exposure. Therefore, the UV-B range is almost entirely responsible for this effect, with erythema appearing within a few hours of sun exposure and resulting in a dose-dependent pattern of milder or more extensive solaris dermatosis, i.e. sunburn. The standard method of measurement is to illuminate areas of 1x1 cm on a selected area of skin on the lower back for increasing periods of time with a light source of known dose rate, ensuring a uniform focal-skin distance throughout.
There is not only no uniform system for measuring the protective effect in the UV-A range in terms of the value that can be indicated on the label, but there is also no globally accepted uniform method of measurement. This is primarily because the changes induced by UV-A are less clearly objectifiable than the redness caused by UV-B.
A common measurement of UV-A immunity is IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening), the measurement of immediate pigmentation enhancement, and PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) , the measurement of persistent pigment enhancement.
The amount of UV radiation is affected by a number of factors:
- the astronomical factor - the geometric position of the Sun and the Earth, which we experience in our daily lives as seasons or times of day. In Hungary, UV radiation is most intense in the summer months, July-August, at 13:00 instead of 12:00 noon because of daylight saving time. 50% of the UV exposure during the day occurs between 12-14 hours.
- the distance from the equator , i.e. the geographical location of the area, - the state of the atmosphere, meteorological conditions, the presence of clouds. Clouds filter out only 10-15% of ultraviolet radiation.
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the environment also significantly modifies the level of UV exposure. Altitude increases the UV exposure by 15% per 1000 m, sand and water reflect 30-50% of the light, the latter transmitting 50-70% of UV-B and UV-A light down to a depth of 1 m. Because of the reflection, even in the shade during the summer, up to 40-50% of the UV exposure is still present. Snow is even more efficient in this respect, reflecting 80-90% of the light falling on it.
Light protection
The simplest and most recommended way to protect yourself from the sun is to move to the shade if you can, or cover the exposed skin with clothing or a headgear. When choosing clothing, it is important that the material of the clothing worn is of a dense weave and dark colour. Half of the UV exposure during the day occurs within one hour before and one hour after the sun's zenith (13 h in Europe due to daylight saving time). Accordingly, a campaign has been launched in Australia among school children to encourage shading during periods when one's shadow is shorter than one's height.
The skin is a very intelligent organ, highly adaptable to the seasons and the environment. Its natural photoprotection is provided by the'photoprotective' brown pigment melanin. The healthy skin of a perfectly healthy person living in a healthy environment produces only brown melanin (eumelanin).
When the balance of our skin is out of balance, our skin also starts to produce yellow and red pigments (pheomelanin), which are "photoaggressive", meaning that sunlight can cause cancer.
Conscious cosmetic choices, clean eating and spiritual clarity help to rebalance our skin. In the meantime, our aim is to strengthen the skin's natural defences and block environmental damage in an effort to achieve balance.
With cosmetics, photoprotection can be achieved through several approaches: 1. Natural protection 2. Cellular protection 3. Physical photoprotection 4. Chemical photoprotection
The natural protection helps to promote the even production of photoprotective brown melanin and curbs the production of harmful photo-aggressive melanin.
Cellular protection (antioxidant) protects cellular DNA and vital cellular components, while stimulating the skin's natural defensive responses.
Physical sunscreen prevents UV rays from reaching the skin, while chemical sunscreen prevents the harmful effects of light from reaching the skin.
The simplest and most recommended way to protect yourself from the sun is to move to the shade if you can, or cover the exposed skin with clothing or a headgear. When choosing clothing, it is important that the material of the clothing worn is of a dense weave and dark colour. Half of the UV exposure during the day occurs within one hour before and one hour after the sun's zenith (13 h in Europe due to daylight saving time). Accordingly, a campaign has been launched in Australia among school children to encourage shading during periods when one's shadow is shorter than one's height.
Modern sunscreens are made up of a base formulation and an added specific sunscreen component.
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