Stay away from ultraviolet rays

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) refers to the sun’s damaging wavelength that can cause a string of skin and health problems. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it is best to stay indoors because it is the time when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are most intense.

Antonio M. Claparols, president of the Ecological Society of the Philippines, explained that if it is necessary to go outdoors, a sunblock with a sun protection factor of not less than 15 must be applied to all the exposed areas of the skin.

UVR has notably worsened and has become more intense now than 50 years ago. “This is because of the continuous depletion of the ozone layer which fitters, screens out and reduces the amount of UV light,” Claparols said. It follows that sun exposure has become more dangerous today.

The ESP chief cited findings by the World Health Organization (WHO) which has issued a warning against the damaging effects of prolonged sun exposure. WHO said this can cause uneven deposits of melanin which hastens the appearance of freckles and age spots. It causes the skin to become red, rough, scaly and hyperpigmented.

Experts have likewise pointed to too much sun exposure as one of the major causes of cataracts. It is also known to effect a person’s ability to resist certain infections, reduce vitamin D synthesis and compromise the effectiveness of immunization shots, Claparols added.