Do you know your UVs? The sun emits 3 types of UV rays, and each damage the skin in different ways. Learning how each one works can help you to protect your skin. If you are looking to prevent aging, block UVA rays. If you are worried about skin cancer and burning, protect against UVB rays. For both, chose Araya!
UVA rays are the longest wavelengths and account for approximately 95 per cent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. They can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and are the culprits behind the break down of important skin proteins, collagen, and elastin. With a break down of collagen and elastin, your skin loses its structure and flexibility and you start to see wrinkles, spider veins, and saggy skin.
The medium-wavelength UVB is very biologically active (read: harmful to living beings) but cannot penetrate beyond the superficial skin layers. It is responsible for delayed tanning and burning. You know, like when you don't think you burned until you go to put on jeans a couple hours later? You can thank UVBs for that. In addition to these short-term effects UBVs significantly promote the development of skin cancer.
UVC rays have the shortest wavelength and are the most biologically active, making them the most harmful. Luckily UVC radiation from the sun does not reach the Earth’s surface because it is blocked by the atmosphere's ozone layer. However, in areas like Australia where the ozone layer is depleted due to climate change, we are seeing one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Scientists have measured a steady decline in ozone of approximately 4% per decade since the 1970s. Time will tell whether this will put us more at risk for UVC damage.
Make sure you are protected with our ANSI certified UPF 50+ sun visors!
