UV damage happens when our skin and eyes are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays mostly get absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, but UVA and UVB rays can cause problems when we’re out in the sun for too long.

UVA rays have long wavelengths and can go deep into our skin, causing it to age faster, get wrinkles, and form sunspots. They can also weaken our immune system, making our skin more likely to get hurt by UVB rays and increasing the chance of getting skin cancer. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and mostly affect the outer layers of our skin, giving us sunburns and tans and raising the risk of skin cancer, especially melanoma, the most serious type.

UV damage adds up over time, so even short periods of time in the sun without protection can hurt us and make skin cancer more likely when we’re older. That’s why it’s important to protect our skin and eyes from UV rays, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.

Using sunscreen with a high SPF is one of the best ways to keep our skin safe from UV damage. Put it on all over any skin that’s going to be in the sun at least 15 minutes before going outside, and put more on every two hours, or more if we’re swimming or sweating a lot. Wearing things like hats, long-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses with UV protection also helps shield us from UV rays.

It’s a good idea to stay away from tanning beds and sun lamps because they also give off a lot of UV rays, just like the sun. They can make us more likely to get skin cancer and make our skin age faster. Instead of using them, there are safer ways to get a tan, like using self-tanning lotions or bronzing creams.

Getting our skin checked regularly by a doctor is important to catch any UV damage early. If we notice any changes in moles, freckles, or our skin’s color, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist right away. Finding problems early can help us get treatment sooner and make things better.

In short, knowing about UV damage and how to protect ourselves from it is really important for keeping our skin healthy and avoiding problems later on. By being careful in the sun, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothes, and avoiding tanning beds, we can still enjoy being outside without getting hurt by UV rays.