Because the Earth rotates on its axis—which, as it’s possible you’ll bear in mind from elementary faculty science, is what makes the solar seem to rise and set—the angle at which daylight hits us modifications. This shifting angle impacts the energy of the solar’s ultra-violet radiation, which is essential to concentrate to any time you’re spending time outdoors. One of many best methods to try this is with the “shadow rule,” which is able to clue you in on the depth of those UV rays at any given time through the day.
You’ve most likely seen that your shadow is shorter at some factors through the day than others, and this will inform you a large number in regards to the standing of the solar. “In case your shadow is shorter than you might be, UV publicity is excessive,” says Andrea Suarez, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Houston in a TikTok. “In case your shadow is taller than you might be, UV is much less intense.”
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The stronger the UV rays, the extra possible you might be to expertise solar harm. These brief shadows are more than likely to occur when the solar is at its peak, explains Ivy Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pasadena, California. “Be sure you search shade and keep away from the height hours of daylight from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” says Dr. Lee.
If you’re out throughout these occasions, ensure you’re diligent about making use of the correct quantity of broad-spectrum sunscreen each two hours. And in the event you usually need to spend lengthy stretches outdoors throughout this window, take into account investing in sun-protective UPF clothes. Do not forget that even in the event you don’t get a sunburn, you possibly can nonetheless expertise solar harm.
“There’s no such factor as a secure tan,” Dr. Lee beforehand instructed Properly+Good. “Any time we’re getting uncovered to ultraviolet rays from being open air, we’re accumulating DNA harm in our pores and skin cells—whether or not you’re laying out on the seashore or operating errands and selecting up just a little little bit of solar publicity there. The DNA harm from all that solar publicity is cumulative, that means that it builds up over time, and it’s what results in the indicators of untimely getting older that we see with wrinkles, darkish spots, and leathery pores and skin. It’s additionally what results in pores and skin most cancers.”
The way to apply sunscreen the appropriate means:
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