SPF 101
Why Sunscreen is your Skin Health Secret Weapon
By Danielle Hadley
Y
When the sun graces us with its presence it
emits two types of UV rays, both of which are
incredibly damaging for the skin. UVB rays are
the ones you can literally see doing your skin
harm, turning your pale limbs a brighter shade
of pink as you bake. UVA rays take a little longer
to show their effects. They penetrate the surface
of the skin and destroy the structural proteins
that give your complexion a youthful smoothness and plumpness. As well as causing your
skin to redden and wrinkle, this combination
of rays is responsible for the development of
uneven pigmentation, dullness, dehydration
and, in severe cases, cancer.
The science of SPF
The easiest way to understand how a sunscreen
works is to think of it like a shield. Instead of
ISSUE #01 | SUMMER 2016 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 12
Sources: CNN / SkinCancer.org / WIRED
ou know the feeling. The weather report
is promising sunshine, there isn’t a
cloud in the sky and you have an
unusual craving for barbequed meat; summer
is finally here! But before you rush outside and
secure your spot in the sun, you need to slather
on the SPF. Why? Well your skin’s health
depends on it.