Valeria Chavez

February 3, 2015

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Skin Cancer." Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 June 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2015.

The Sun emits ultraviolet radiation in two forms, A and B. The radiation causes
skin damage in a little as 15 minutes of sun exposure.
Forms of protection are available in sunblock, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
Sunscreen protects skin from ultraviolet radiation from the sun by using
chemicals that refract or disperse the suns rays and prevent them from penetrating the
skin.
Sunscreen is important for the prevention of skin cancers, primarily basal and
squamous cell carcinomas.
SPF is sun protection factor. The higher the sun protection factor of the product,
the more effective it is in blocking UV rays. An SPF of 15 or above is recommended.
Sunscreen offers limited protection from UVA rays, which cause melanoma, but
very broad protection from UVB rays, that can cause basal or squamous cell carcinoma.
Sunglasses with lenses that offer protection from UVA and UVB should be worn
to protect the sensitive skin surrounding the eyes and the eyes themselves from forming
cataracts.
Hats with wide brims can protect the face, neck, and ears from sun damage.
Wearing darkly colored long shirts and pants when out in the sun offers protection
from harmful UV rays.
Staying in shade or sitting under an umbrella while out in the sun will also protect
from sun damage, but sunscreen should be worn regardless.
Protecting oneself from harmful overexposure to the Suns ultraviolet radiation by using
sunscreen and other forms of sun protection is a crucial step for preventing skin damage and for
keeping skin healthy and beautiful.