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Sun exposure is the number one contributing -and controllable - factor of permature aging.
There are 2 types of ultraviolet(UV) rays: Ultraviolet A(UVA) and Ultraviolet B(UVB). Both are harmful for differerent reasons. UVA rays cause most skin cancers and aging (remember A for aging). They penetrate the skin and may effect the DNA of new cells being formed which in turn has the potential to accelerate skin aging and create cancerous cells. UVA rays have length of 320 to 400 nanometers and can penetrate glass. Most importantly, they are only blocked by physical blocking agents. such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which reflect or scatter the rays before they penetrate the skin. UVB rays are the principal cause of sunburn (remember B for burn) and penetrate the upper layers of the skin. UVB have lengths of 280 to 320 nanometers and cannot penetrate glass. UVB rays are absorbed primarily by sunscreens, such as octinoxate and octisalate.
Even cloudy days pose a threat, as the suns UV rays can filter through overcast skies. Therfore, it is important to use a Broad Spectrum sunscreen all year round, to both protect against UVA and UVB rays and help retain youthful looking skin and firm facial contours.
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