Doctors warn of the dangers of "skin-eating" ultraviolet rays

Today, May 14, according to the forecast of the hydrometeorological agency, the ultraviolet (UV) index in Ho Chi Minh City is at a very high risk level. Experts give advice to people to prevent harmful effects to their health.

Accordingly, the time when UV rays are at their strongest is from 10am to about 2-3pm during the day. There are 3 types of UV rays: A, B, C. UVA rays have a wavelength of 315 - 380 nm, can penetrate clouds and air, causing skin aging. UVB rays have a wavelength of 280 - 315 nm, causing heatstroke, skin damage and darkening. UVC rays have a wavelength of 100 - 280 nm, causing skin cancer but are blocked by the ozone layer. People are often exposed to UVA (90%) and UVB (10%). Time when UV rays are present: morning, afternoon, evening, sunny or cloudy, rainy, always present, the strongest intensity is from about 10am to about 2-3pm during the day.

The UV index in Ho Chi Minh City is at a very high risk level, you need to know how to protect your body when going out.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Le Thai Van Thanh, Head of the Department of Dermatology and Skin Aesthetics at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, sunlight with the main culprit being ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer because of its impact of generating many free radicals, causing damage to the DNA of skin cells. Not to mention some common skin diseases that increase due to the direct impact of sunlight such as photodermatitis, sunburn and sun-induced urticaria. Diseases related to skin aesthetics due to the long-term impact of sunlight such as skin darkening, sunburn, skin aging...

To deal with "sunburn", the following preventive measures are needed. First, physical methods: wear a wide-brimmed hat, with a brim width of more than 2.5 cm, covering 2/3 of the face; use an umbrella, wear dark or black glasses, cover the mask tightly; mask: cover the whole face, leave 2 eyes to wear glasses, use black or dark colors (90% sun protection effect, light-colored masks only have 60% sun protection effect), thick fabric, cross-woven. Blue medical masks only have the effect of blocking dust, are too thin, and have no sun protection effect; avoid the sun in the shade, shade trees.

Second is to use cream: SPF (anti-UVB, * or + means anti-UVA); you need to choose a sunscreen with both of the above characteristics to be able to protect against both UVA and UVB rays (the higher the SPF index, the longer the protection, however, if it is too high, it will cause skin irritation).

Note when using sunscreen: apply 15-20 minutes before going out in the sun, sunscreen is only effective for 2-3 hours, then you need to wash your face and reapply new cream for good protection, otherwise it is easier to get sunburned.

For those who work in a marine environment, humid or sweat a lot, use waterproof sunscreen, reapply every 1-1 hour and 30 minutes. Some side effects of sunscreen can cause skin irritation, applying too much can cause loss of vitamin D absorption.

Finally, there is the option of using sunscreen pills: they work from within the body so the protection time is longer; take 30 minutes to 1 hour before, repeat every 6 hours; usually taken in the morning and noon; more expensive.

"Children need to pay special attention to preventing the harmful effects of UV rays. Children's skin is inherently immature and vulnerable. Children often play and run outdoors, leading to a risk of skin diseases caused by harmful UV rays many times higher than adults," Dr. Thanh added.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/suc-khoe/bac-si-canh-bao-nguy-hai-tia-cuc-tim-an-da-20230514102219359.htm