Ultraviolet light has been the boogeyman of the health world for years, but we’re here to say, even in the business of eye protection, the subject isn’t black and white.
UV light poses some serious health risks in excess, sure, just like Doritos and running, but it also comes with some enormous benefits that a lot of people miss out on. Here, we break down the science-y bits for regular human beings, and explore the relationship UV light has with our biology.
What Is UV Light?
First up, let’s get back to the basics. UV light is ultraviolet radiation, a natural form that is present in sunlight, and is critical for several metabolic processes in the human body. As with any kind of radiation, you can also get too much of it, which can lead to cancer.
Sources of UV Light:
- The sun
- Tanning beds
- Welding tools
- Fluorescent lighting (very low levels)
Types of UV light:
UVA — The longest wavelength of UV light, this type of light is of particular concern for eye health, but not as immediately damaging to skin cells.
UVB — This medium-wave light is mostly absorbed the Earth’s ozone layer, and is what you have to thank for sunburns.
UVC — Most UVC light is filtered by the Earth’s ozone layer. This is the type of light used in UV sterilization technology.
Why We Love UV Light
There are precautions that are incredibly important to take with UV light to ensure you don’t overexpose yourself, but there are also a number of health benefits that often get overlooked, in lieu of the warnings.
Mental Health
UV light plays a critical role in mental health, as evidenced by people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. If you don’t get enough, it actually triggers a chemical response in your brain that limits your production of happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine!
Vitamin D Production
It’s actually remarkably difficult to get enough vitamin D from your diet alone, and supplementation can be hit or miss, depending on how your body absorbs those nutrients. Though it comes with its own risks if done in excess, the bottom line is, UV light is still one of the best ways to get enough vitamin D coursing through your body.
With an estimated 40% of Americans now deficient in vitamin D, getting your glow on has more than just cosmetic benefits that a lot of people could stand to get more of.
Skin Health
Believe it or not, UV exposure actually has health benefits for your skin, not just risks. Turns out the not-so-great aspects of UV light exposure that slow the regeneration of new cells are actually perfect for treating conditions like psoriasis. As a result, phototherapy is often recommended for patients with these types of conditions.
Immune Health
Oddly enough, the science also seems to suggest that, though overexposure to UV light can cause some cancers, not getting enough can cause even more, including skin cancer. Getting enough vitamin D can actually cut your risk of getting either ovarian or prostate cancer in half!
One scientist, after extensive studying on the subject, even went so far as to say that sufficient vitamin D absorption could prevent as many as 30 deaths per one skin cancer death.
Circulation
Poor circulation isn’t anything to dismiss — bad blood flow can lead to migraines, strokes, and even heart attacks. UV exposure actually helps to get the blood moving a little faster, and can reduce the risks of complications related to poor circulation, including muscle aches and fatigue!
The Risks of UV Light Exposure
Okay, so there’s the sunny side of UV light, now for the shady parts. While UV light has a LOT of really incredible health benefits, too much of a good thing is almost always a bad thing, and that goes double time where our purple light friend is concerned.
Eyes
Too much UV exposure is actually incredibly dangerous for eyes, and can cause permanent damage along the lines of macular degeneration and cataracts. In fact, your eyes can even technically become sunburned without proper UV protection, a condition known as photoconjunctivitis, or snow blindness.
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, it’s ALWAYS important to protect your eyes from UV exposure with sunglasses that look good and keep those harmful rays at bay.
Ready for sunglasses that look good AND offer 100% UV protection? Shop our collection here.
Skin
Melanin is the pigment in your skin that produces a tan when you’re exposed to UV light. It’s not always the result of a burn, but rather, your body’s protective reaction to UV light, a defense mechanism to prevent skin damage.
When your skin lacks the melanin necessary to protect yourself from a UV overdose, that’s when those UV light rays do their damage and give you a gnarly burn. Cells are destroyed, regeneration is slowed, and that poorly developing tissue becomes a magnet for cancerous cells and advanced signs of aging (because generally, any tissue that isn’t active is at a higher risk for developing cancer).
There’s a fine line between getting enough sun exposure and getting too much, and it’s going to vary depending on your own biology, genetics, and location. If you plan on being in direct sunlight for more than 15 minutes a day, it’s not a bad idea to put at least a mild sunscreen on, or a protective layer of clothing.
Don’t overdo it though, it doesn’t take much sunscreen to protect yourself. Sunscreen that contains as little as SPF 8 can reduce your vitamin D generation by over 95%, so use it only as needed.
UV Light — Love It, Need It, Be Cautious With It
The most important thing to remember here is that there is no one size fits all recommendation for UV exposure. Everything from your skin tone to your elevation can factor into the ‘how much is too much’ question, so use your own judgment.
Protect yourself from overexposure with skin protection and a great pair of sunglasses, but don’t fear the sun — there are plenty of great benefits of UV light to be had that go well beyond a tan.
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