Latest news with #UVProtection
CNET
4 days ago
- Health
- CNET
7 Easy Habits That Will Support Your Eye Health This Summer
Your skin isn't the only part of your body that needs to be protected from the sun's UV rays. The same goes for your eyes, especially during the summer months. The World Health Organization reports that 15 million people worldwide are blind from cataracts, and for up to 10% of these people, the cause of their condition may have been exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Fortunately, there are simple habits you can adopt that will keep your eyes healthy and happy as the summer sun beams down. How to protect your eyes from the sun There are plenty of ways to protect your eyes in the heat, from wearing sunglasses to following a balanced diet. Here are some science-backed tips for summer eye care. Wear sunglasses One of the easiest -- and most stylish -- ways to take care of your eyes is by wearing sunglasses during the day. When your eyes aren't protected from the sun, they're exposed to multiple types of UV rays, which can increase your risk of certain diseases, including photokeratitis and cataracts. Westend61/Getty Images Consider polarized lenses: Polarized lenses are designed with a special chemical that filters more light than other sunglasses. They also reduce glare from reflective surfaces, like water and snow, so they're a good option if you spend a lot of time outside. Choose the right lens color: While it may seem like darker lenses would provide more protection from UV rays, the opposite is true. Extremely dark lenses force your pupils to open wider, allowing more sunlight into your eyes. Instead of dark lenses, opt for gray or smoke-colored lenses to get the most sun protection. Keep your eyes hydrated During summer, your eyes can dry out quickly, particularly if you live in a dry climate, sit in air-conditioned spaces regularly or spend lots of time in swimming pools. Dehydrated eyes can have uncomfortable consequences, causing burning, irritation and light sensitivity, which may get worse if you wear contact lenses. Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can also dry out your eyes, so reducing your booze intake may help keep your eyes more lubricated and stave off dehydration. Use eye drops if your eyes are dry: If you have a moderate case of dry eyes, you may find some relief from over-the-counter eye drops. But if the irritation continues, talk to your doctor about getting prescription-strength drops. Read more: Best Nonalcoholic Drinks Eat a balanced diet Following a nutritious diet can also benefit eye health. Specifically, you'll want to aim for a well-balanced meal plan that includes a variety of antioxidant-rich foods. For example, vitamin C may help lower your risk of developing cataracts. Good sources of this vitamin include raw bell peppers, oranges and carrots. Similarly, vitamin E protects your eyes from free radicals, which can damage and break down the tissue in your eyes. You can find vitamin E in seeds, nuts and sweet potatoes. Finally, vitamin A also supports proper eye function and is found in foods like leafy greens and orange vegetables. In contrast, there are also foods that aren't great for your eye health. Sugary drinks and fried foods, for instance, can raise your risk of diabetes and, later, diabetic retinopathy. Limit screen time Staring at a laptop or phone screen for too long can irritate your eyes and lead to eye strain. Common symptoms of eye strain include headaches, light sensitivity, itchy eyes and blurred vision. However, depending on your job, avoiding screen time may not be realistic. However, there are some eye care tactics you can use to limit the effect that digital screens have on your eyes. Notably, the American Optometric Association recommends following the 20-20-20 rule while you're using electronic screens. This means taking a 20-second break from all screens at least once every 20 minutes to look at an object that's 20 feet away. Other strategies to protect your eyes from digital screens include lowering the brightness on your devices, switching to dark mode and wearing blue-light-blocking glasses, though research is iffy on these glasses for eye health. JoseAvoid looking directly at the sun Staring at the sun for too long isn't just uncomfortable -- it can cause serious, and sometimes permanent, damage to your eyes. When the sun's UV rays enter your eyes, they can form free radicals and harm your retinas, potentially causing a condition known as solar or photic retinopathy. Milder symptoms of solar retinopathy can range from watery eyes to eye discomfort to headache. If your case is more severe, you may experience blurred vision or blind spots. For some people, these effects are irreversible. If you've noticed that your vision has worsened after viewing an eclipse or looking at the sun, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Protect your eyes while outside or playing sports Aside from wearing sunglasses, there are other effective ways to protect your eyes while you're spending time outside. For example, if you're gardening or hiking, you can wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor to keep your eyes covered. If you're headed to the beach or pool, grab a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from the water, salt and chlorine and ward off swimmers' eye. Similarly, if you're playing sports, make sure to put on protective glasses to lower your risk of eye injury. No matter what you're doing, you should also wear sunscreen on your face to prevent burns on your eyelids or the sensitive skin around your eyes. Get quality sleep If you've ever woken up from a poor night's sleep with dry and itchy eyes, you've experienced how a lack of quality sleep can impact your eye health, and science backs that up. In one study, researchers found a correlation between low-quality sleep and dry eye disease, noting that subpar sleep quality can aggravate the effects of DED. Read more: Poor Sleep? Try These Easy Tricks When you're tired, you're also more likely to rub your eyes, which could lead to eye damage or an infection. Separately, not getting enough sleep has been linked to other irritating but nonserious health issues, including myokymia (eye twitching), bloodshot eyes and puffiness and under-eye bags.
The National
27-05-2025
- Health
- The National
SPF myths and the science behind UV radiation: How to care for your skin as temperatures rise
As temperatures rise across the UAE, with the country experiencing a record 51.6°C – the highest temperature in the month of May – skincare should be top of mind, experts say. But beware of marketing gimmicks and misleading claims. "The phrase 'high SPF' sounds reassuring, it's true, but the sense of security you feel is false," German skincare expert Dr Barbara Sturm says. "SPF is a misleading and therefore dangerous term; a product with this factor only refers to protection against UVB rays, which is not quite enough." The science behind UV radiation The sun transmits ultraviolet radiation in three wavelengths – the creatively dubbed UVA, UVB and UVC rays. The latter does not penetrate our planet's atmosphere, so it's irrelevant to the case being put forth here. UVB is most responsible for sunburn which, by extension, causes malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (what Hugh Jackman suffered from), while UVA is associated with skin ageing. However, because not everyone is aware of UVA's role, and not all sunscreens have the wherewithal to help shield us from it, prolonged exposure not only leads to wrinkles, pigmentation and coarse skin, but can also cause skin cancer. What Sturm and other experts now know is that a product with solar protection factor (SPF) has no impact whatsoever in protecting our skin from UVA rays. That's not to say that you should ditch that SPF 30 offering completely; rather, as with most other things these days, you need to read the small print when buying your next sunscreen. And it's not only for those who are constantly out and about, either. 'UVA can penetrate glass, so it can get you in a windowed office or while you're driving,' explains Sturm. 'It is imperative to use a sunscreen technology that offers 'broad-spectrum' protection.' A broad-spectrum solution targets both UVA and UVB rays. The latter can be monitored based on the SPF count – between 30 and 50 is recommended depending on your lifestyle – think commuting to the office versus spending time at the beach. The former is trickier, and requires a bit of calculation. Step one is to look out for the UVA star rating on a product's packaging; stars range from 0 to 5. This number indicates the percentage of UVA radiation absorbed by the sunscreen in comparison to UVB. "In other words, this is the ratio between the level of protection afforded by the UVA protection and the UVB protection," states a report released by the British Association of Dermatologists. "Be aware that if you choose a low SPF, it may still have a high level of stars, not because it is providing a lot of UVA protection, but because the ratio between the UVA and UVB protection is about the same. That's why it's important to choose a high SPF as well as a high number of stars." In simpler terms, a sunscreen with SPF 30 and a UVA rating of four stars should fit the bill. Unless you spend your daylight hours out in the desert or at the beach. In that case, not only should you invest in SPF 50 and five stars, but also be very conscientious about application and reapplication. Application tips The recommended amount of sunscreen works out to about two milligrams per square centimetre of your skin's surface. For optimum protection to the face, the amount needed would cover the palm of your hand. "Most people are quite good at slathering products on their faces, but tend to miss the neck and ear area, which then become prone to carcinogenic nodules," says dermatologist Anita Hiranandani. "And even if you're wearing a pair of shorts or a top with sleeves, it's best to use sunscreen all over the body, not just on the exposed bits." Apply the product 20 minutes before you step out, so it has adequate time to create a barrier shield, and reapply every two hours if you're under the sun for that long. "If you are outside a lot, it is critical, especially in a strong-sun location like the UAE, to reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, particularly after sweating or swimming," says Sturm. 'Even certain fabrics can diminish the impact the cream has on the skin. It also depends on what time of the day you are outside – the sun is 150 times stronger at noon than in the morning or evening,' she adds. She's not a fan of moisturisers or make-up that claim to double up as sunscreen. 'Active UV filters and active skincare ingredients sitting in a product together degrade the effectiveness of both. I would always use sunscreen separately. It is safer to apply the skincare first, wait a few minutes for absorption, and then apply make-up. This way you have the full protective effect, without the mineral oils of the cosmetics to clog your pores, and you don't smudge your make-up,' she explains. Even the most effective sunscreen, however, is unlikely to offer full protection under the direct glare of the sun. It needs to be complemented by clothing, sunglasses, caps and umbrellas. Dr Lanalle Dunn, founder of Jumeirah's Chiron Clinic, suggests rash-guard apparel, which blocks UV rays. She adds: "Stay away from chemically laden sunscreens – those that include parabens, oxybenzone, octinoxate and titanium dioxide." Sunscreen pollution Sunscreen pollution is another reason to avoid strong chemicals. Many activists are now pushing to ban products made up of marine-life-harming oxybenzone and octinoxate. According to Lisa Bishop, president of the Friends of Hanauma Bay organisation: "When people put these two chemicals on and they come into the ocean, the product washes off and stays floating in the water, and the corals are being killed by it." Some eco-friendly brands that come highly recommended include Colorescience, NYDG Skincare, La Roche-Posay, Dr Hauschka and Molecular Cosmetics, which carries photostable Sun Drops. To tan or not to tan Both types of UV radiation contribute to skin tanning, a condition actively and, research would suggest, insensibly sought out by hordes of people. A tan by any other name is damaged skin, according to the report by the British Association of Dermatologists. The skin is made up of a pigment called melanin, which gives our skin its natural colour. Exposure to sunlight causes an increase in the production of melanin that absorbs more UV radiation, causing the skin to become darker, usually temporarily. 'A tan is actually a sign that the skin has been damaged and is trying to protect itself,' suggests the report. 'This is not to say that one should avoid the sun completely,' cautions Dunn. 'Research shows that non- smokers who avoided the sun had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoidance is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking. The cardioprotective benefits of sun exposure are partly due to nitric oxide, which aids in lowering blood pressure. Nitric oxide is only released into the bloodstream with direct sunlight exposure and not with simply taking Vitamin D supplementation.' Tanned or otherwise damaged skin can be treated by getting skin treatments such as hydrating facials, radiofrequency to tighten the skin, photodynamic therapy and fractional laser treatments. However, these should be looked upon as more prevention than cure. When it comes to avoiding sun damage, a daily threat, your first port of call should be an effective sunscreen – one that's about more than just SPF; it's a product that needs research and responsible usage. After all, if Wolverine had to battle cancer six times, there's no guarantee that any of us is immune to it. A version of this story was published on May 10, 2018
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mole and skin-lesion checks at Wolverhampton NHS drop-in event
A hospital is giving visitors the chance to get any moles or skin lesions checked at a drop-in event organised to raise awareness of sun exposure and the damaging effects it can have on skin, including stall will be at Greggs at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, from 10:00 BST to 14:00 will be run by members of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's dermatology teamVisitors will be able to access a range of free samples promoting healthy skin care and have the chance to talk to specialist nurses about the importance of skin cancer prevention and detection. Last year, Cancer Research UK said melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK rose by almost a third between 2009 and charity report suggested around 17,000 melanoma cases every year were preventable - with almost nine in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) Smith, clinical nurse specialist at the Wolverhampton NHS trust, said: "Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but most cases are preventable by taking proper precautions in the sun."It's really important that everyone knows how to best protect and look after their skin to help prevent skin cancer forming, and know how to check their skin properly to help spot any issues as quickly as possible."These events are a fantastic way for us to raise awareness of skin cancer but also foster a culture of proactive skin health, hopefully allowing us to detect cancer when it's easier to treat or avoid it altogether."The team shared the following tips to help prevent sun damage:Avoid tanning beds: tanning beds emit harmful UV radiation and increase the risk of skin cancerUse sun protection: always wear sunscreen with a high SPF, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweatingSeek shade: avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours between 10:00 BST and 16:00 BST and avoid clothing: cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses to shield your skin from harmful UV your skin for changes regularly and report any skin changes to your GP or nurse promptlyPeople who would like a free mole check, leaflets, advice or a chat in confidence are encouraged to attend the event next week. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Rakyat Post
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Rakyat Post
Putting Uniqlo's Spring/Summer Sport Utility Wear Collection To Test With Pilates
Subscribe to our FREE Uniqlo introduced its latest 2025 Spring/Summer Sport Utility Wear (SUW) Collection at Chase, Alfa Bangsar yesterday. The collection is designed to support an active lifestyle with cutting-edge comfort, performance, and effortless style. The collection encompasses the AIRism, DRY-EX, Ultra Stretch, and UV Protection lines. All four ranges showcase advanced fabric technologies and innovative designs to meet the demands of various workouts while keeping things stylish and comfortable. To put their apparels to the test, Uniqlo organised an exclusive Active Class Experience which placed guests in three curated Pilates sessions – Reformer, Mat, and Spin Pilates. Those in the Reformer pilates session got to try on the AIRism collection which include the bra sleeveless top, the cotton crew neck bra top with long sleeves, and UV protection leggings. The AIRism collection features ultra-thin fibres that absorb and release water vapour from the body, offering top-tier moisture control to reduce heat and sweat buildup inside clothes. Guests placed in Spin pilates class wore apparels from the DRY-EX collection which include the full-zip hoodie, polo shirt, and Ultra Stretch DRY-EX tapered pants. DRY-Ex features an all-season fabric that absorbs sweat quickly but dries fast by dispersing moisture. It also comes with deodorant functionality to keep one fresh and comfortable in any weather. Meanwhile, those in Mat pilates put the Ultra Stretch range to the test in an hour long session. The Ultra Stretch range include the active bra top, active jogger pants, and active wide pants. The apparels are designed for exceptional comfort and flexibility. With its high elasticity, the fabric blend provides freedom of movement while giving a snug silhouette. Guests also got to mix and match their outfit with the UV Protection range which includes the parka, cardigan, and active track pants. UNIQLO SUW – Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants. How did the Ultra Stretch apparel hold up in mat pilates? The Ultra Stretch apparels kept things cool and comfortable while everyone tries their darnedest to keep steady on the ground. We were put through the paces! The stretch of the fabric helped keep movements seamless, even during wobbles on the medicine ball. Despite sweating a lot, they aren't lying because the material absorbed the moisture and dried fast. It was all cool and non-sticky by the end of class. All in all, if you're looking for new activewear or gym OOTD, the current Uniqlo collection ticks off boxes. The stylish design provides a seamless transition from activewear to everyday wear, perfect for running errands after a gym sesh. For more information, head over to Uniqlo's website to check out the Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
