Where you live in the world will determine your use of sun protection or your lack thereof. Those who live in hotter climates are sometimes more conscious of protecting their bodies from the sun’s rays, but majority of people neglect sun care for their body, especially when they don’t live in a hot climate. Living in Ireland, I have seen this regularly as our climate in the summer months can vary so much from a wintery day to beautiful sunshine in 24 hours. A common sight following a sunny spell is sunburnt skin as people think the sun in Ireland is not as strong as it would be in the Mediterranean. Regardless of location, it is imperative to protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. 

KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE

Education is key when it comes to the sun and how it affects skin. A lot of the time people only consider ultraviolet B rays and forget about ultraviolet A rays. “Solar ultraviolet radiation cannot be seen or felt and is not related to temperature; it can pass through cloud, bounce off reflective surfaces, and is the primary cause of skin cancer.”1 There are three ultraviolet rays; ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, and ultraviolet C. Ultraviolet C rays are blocked by the ozone layer whereas ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B reach skin.

So, what is the difference between the two? Ultraviolet A rays, also known as aging rays, penetrate the middle layer of skin and contribute to skin burning, skin cancers, and are responsible for premature aging. Ultraviolet A rays are present 365 days a year whether there is snow, rain, or shine. 

Ultraviolet B rays are known as burning rays, and they reach the outer layer of skin. They are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer and are predominantly stronger in warmer climates, mainly during the summer months.

Reference

1. Kenny, Anna Louise. n.d. MACED Advanced Core Knowledge of Skin.

Sarah Jane McGrath is a recognized and renowned expert aesthetician with over 16 years of experience working in spas and skin clinics in places like Ireland and Australia where she developed a passion for skin care. For the past few years, she has continued to develop her skills and knowledge in this area that added strong client testaments to her professionalism and expertise. ’McGrath’s talent and determination to excel in her field pushed her to qualify as a trainer and educator in the beauty and skin industry eight years ago, and she now tutors in Kilkenny College of Beauty and Sports Therapy.