Sun Burn, UVA Rays

Whether you're in the bracing -10 Celcius air of Moscow, or basking on the sun-drenched sands of the Caribbean, the sun is going to find you. Ultraviolet radiation bombards the skin constantly, even when you think you're not exposing yourself to it. 80% of it passes straight through clouds. The worst of the rays, the UVA rays, penetrate to the deepest levels of the dermis, affecting the connective tissue that gives skin its elasticity and youth. These are the same rays many solarium machines emit. The sunburning UVB rays damage on a more topical level, searing skin until it's tender, tight, on fire.

Tanning is your skin's natural protective response. Melanin, the sunscreening pigment, actually thickens the skin to protect deeper tissues. What it doesn't do is prevent long-term skin damage. The growing trend towards sunless tanning has resulted in a new generation of self-tanning products that offer a golden glow and reduce the risk. Pre-sun products help prepare skin for fast, intensive tanning. By stimulating production of natural pigments, they effectively reduce the time it takes to achieve the desired depth of color.

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) numbers you see on tanning products refer to B rays only. If you want to block the aging As, look for broad spectrum products and those specifying both UVA and UVB filters. Gone are the days of suncare products boasting SPF ratings of 2 and 4. How high do you have to go to feel well-protected? The answer has to do with your skin's own reaction to the sun. If you redden 15 minutes after first exposure, an SPF 10 means you can stay out 10 times longer. As you go nearer the equator, or intensify the sun's rays via reflective water, snow, sand, a higher SPF is definitely in order.

Combine the dehydrating effects of the sun with the drying conditions of wind and chilled air, and you've got serious skin-threatening potential. Although less body area is exposed, take the same sun precautions you would at the beach. Zone in on spots that are most at risk: cheeks, nose, lids, lips. If your skin's been out there all day, it's going to need some special attention. Take the heat out of skin with a tepid bath. It's gentler, less pummeling than a shower.

Sun care advice

• Lavishly apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and reapply it every two hours according to the directions on the label.
• Reapply sunscreen as needed after swimming, sweating or towel drying. And use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the atmosphere absorbs less of the harmful UV rays of sunlight than earlier or later in the day.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses.
• Never leave children exposed to the sun without adequate protection. Because of the long time it takes for cancer to develop, studies suggest that over-exposure early in life may lead to skin cancers later in life.