We often get the question from you about what the exact difference is between UVB and UVA rays and how you can best protect yourself against them.
In this article we will answer this question and you will also receive some tips and further insights on the subject of sunscreen.
Contents:
4. So what does broadband protection mean?
5th Protect yourself and your skin properly!
sun and UV radiation
UV rays are ultraviolet rays that are generally divided into two groups: the so-called UVA and UVB rays. These are important for many of the body's processes, for example for the formation of the vital vitamin D3. In addition, however, the rays can cause short- and long-term health problems, for example acute sunburn or, in the worst case, skin cancer. To protect our skin from UV radiation, we need sunscreen, suitable clothing and a few important basic rules that should be observed, especially for children.
What are UVA rays?
UVA rays make up around 95% of the sun's rays and are with us all the time - even when it's cloudy or raining. Therefore, you should know exactly what these rays can cause. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and destroy the skin's elastic fibers. This can result in premature aging of the skin. There's a good mnemonic here: A for aging.
What are UVB rays?
In contrast to UVA rays, UVB rays do not penetrate the skin as deeply. But what problems does UVB radiation cause? UVB rays can cause reddening of the skin, sunburn and other changes on the surface of the skin. Here, too, a mnemonic can be derived: B for burn.
In our northern hemisphere, UVB rays are strongest from April to October, so you should protect yourself especially well from them during this time of year. Keep in mind that the rays are much more intense at higher altitudes and are reflected by snow and water.
What does broadband protection mean?
A sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection means a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. There are filters that are particularly effective against UVA or UVB rays and which must then be combined to protect against both UV rays.
Mineral sunscreens have the great advantage that UV filters such as zinc oxide (INCI: Zinc Oxide) have a high broad-spectrum protection. This means that zinc oxide provides full protection against both UVB and UVA radiation. Our natural sunscreens also use zinc as a UV filter.
Good to know: All of our sunscreens have broad-spectrum protection with PA++++, which is the scale for classifying broad-spectrum protection.
How many UV rays are actually blocked depends on the level of the sun protection factor (SPF) you use: The relationship between SPF and UV protection is logarithmic: From an SPF of 20, the blocking of UV rays is already around 95%, while lower SPF values only partially achieve this protection. An SPF of 30 even offers around 97.3% UV protection. From this point on, the protective effect only increases minimally.
A sun protection factor of 50 is recommended especially for people with very sensitive skin, for children or in extreme sun exposure, such as in tropical regions or when staying in the mountains. An SPF of 50 can also be useful for people who suffer from skin conditions such as neurodermatitis or rosacea or who are prone to sun allergies.
Source: Own illustration based on Höger: Physiology and care of the skin in the first years of life; consilium special issue 04.2017.
Protect yourself and your skin properly!
Proper protection from the sun is particularly important and should never be underestimated. We recommend our Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 50 for your face and our Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 30 or our Family Sun Cream SPF 30 for your body. Make sure you reapply regularly. You can only keep your skin healthy with the right protection.
So: apply plenty of sunscreen and then relax and enjoy the sun! ☀️
OUR EXPERT
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep founder, doctor & mother of three
