The Sun and Your Skin

1. What vitamin does sunlight trigger your body to produce?

• Sunlight triggers your body to produce Vitamin D

2. What are UVA rays?

• UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and cause 90% of the damage that leads to premature aging.

3. What are UVB rays?

• UVB rays damage the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, and cause sunburn.

• These rays raise the risk for melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) more than the other type of radiation.

4. Why are UVC rays not of high concern?

• UVC rays are not currently of too much concern, because the layer of the ozone that circles the earth filters out most UVC rays before they reach the planet’s surface.

• However, scientists are concerned that the pollution is reducing the ozone layer and this could pose problems in the future if a reduced ozone layer allows large amounts of UVC rays to reach the surface of the earth.

5. Mary likes to go to the beach and suntan. If she is at the beach from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., when will her UV ray

exposure be highest?

• If Mary is outside from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. her exposure will be highest during the two-hour period between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

6. What is the UV index?

• Environment Canada developed the UV index, which indicates the intensity of UV radiation. It uses a scale of one to ten, with ten representing the typical midday value in the summertime tropics. The higher the UV index, the faster a person will get a sunburn and the greater the risk of damage. It is based on the approximate amount of time spent in the sun that it would take a fair-skinned person to get a sunburn.

7. What is an unknown fact that many people may not know about the UV index?

• The UV index tends to be highest in May and June (not July and August as people may think) and on bright days. Low temperatures are no guarantee of safety, because the UV index may actually be quite high even when the temperature is not.

8. Are sunburns temporary?

• The sunburn will eventually begin to fade, but the underlying damage can be lasting.

9. List four ways that you can prevent sun damage.

• Wear long sleeve clothing and hats.• Limit the time you spend outside during

high UV ray hours.• Wear the proper sunscreen for the length

of time you are going to be outside.• Wear sunglasses• Sit in the shade.• Know side effects of medication that you

are taking and plan wisely.

10. At what age should children never be exposed to direct sunlight?

• Children under the age of 6 months should never be exposed to direct sunlight

11. List two things you learned while reading this article. What will you change in your life to reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays?

• A base tan is not smart before going down south as it will just increase your exposure to harmful light rays.

• That the UV intensity is highest during the months of May and June!