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Protecting Your Skin and Eyes from UV Rays: Choosing the Right Parasols and Sunglasses

The Importance of Protecting Your Skin and Eyes from UV Rays

As the weather gets hotter and the sun becomes stronger, it is crucial to be prepared for the harmful effects of UV rays. Skin and eye health should be of utmost concern as UV rays are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Moreover, these rays can lead to a condition called ‘photokeratitis,’ which can result in severe cases of blindness.

Preventing UV Ray Exposure

To safeguard your skin and eyes from UV rays, it is advisable to avoid going outside on days when the UV ray intensity is high. This can be determined by checking the UV index, and if it is classified as ‘high’ or higher, it is best to refrain from outdoor activities. In situations where going outside is unavoidable, using a parasol and sunglasses can provide some degree of protection.

“It is recommended to use a parasol and sunglasses on days with strong UV rays.”
Source: Clip Art Korea

Choosing the Right Parasol and Sunglasses:

When it comes to selecting parasols and sunglasses, functionality should take precedence over design in order to prioritize skin and eye protection. For mass-produced items, it is crucial to ensure that they meet the required standards. According to the National Agency for Technology and Standards, standard parasols should have a UV blocking rate of 85% or more for arm lengths less than 650 mm and 90% or more for arm lengths of 650 mm or more.

Alongside the UV protection rating, the color and material of the parasol also play a significant role. Opting for parasols with white exteriors to reflect sunlight and black interiors to absorb UV rays reflected from the ground is considered ideal. Additionally, avoiding parasols with lace or wrinkles is recommended as they can increase the transmission of ultraviolet rays. Opting for thick polyester or cotton parasols with simple patterns can provide better UV protection.

Similarly, sunglasses should be carefully assessed for their UV protection capabilities. The UV blocking rate of sunglasses typically ranges from 60% to 100%, but it is recommended to choose a pair with a UV blocking rate of 90% or higher. It is important to note that lens thickness does not necessarily correlate with better UV protection. Wearing excessively dark lenses can block out light and enlarge the pupils, potentially leading to adverse effects on the lens or retina. Therefore, opting for sunglasses that allow a slight view of the eyes is preferable.

Additional Measures: Sunscreen and Proper Sunglasses Storage

Even if a parasol is utilized, sunscreen remains a vital component of sun protection as it can shield the skin from UV rays reflected from the ground. Applying sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplying it periodically is advisable, particularly for prolonged outdoor activities.

Although people may sometimes think wearing a hat or using a parasol is sufficient, it is essential to wear sunglasses as well. Dr. Lee Seong-hoon, an ophthalmology counseling doctor at the Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic, explains that while hats and parasols can block overhead UV rays, they cannot effectively block rays that come from reflections off other objects.

Proper sunglasses storage is another consideration. Storing sunglasses in a car should be avoided, as the temperature inside a vehicle can reach up to 90 degrees in the summer. Such high temperatures can lead to damage to the lens coating, rendering them unable to block ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to store sunglasses in a case and keep them in a cool place.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure optimal protection against the harmful effects of UV rays on your skin and eyes.

Support = Haidak Counseling Doctor Lee Seong-hoon (Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic)

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With the weather getting hotter and the sunlight getting stronger, you need to be prepared for UV rays. Pay special attention to skin and eye health. UV rays are the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. In addition, ultraviolet rays cause ‘photokeratitis’, which burns the eyes, which is a disease that can cause blindness in severe cases.

The best way to protect your skin and eyes from UV rays is to avoid going out on days when UV rays are strong. In particular, if the UV index is ‘high’ or higher, you should refrain from going outside because you can get burnt within a few tens of minutes to an hour. If you must go out, you must use ‘parasol and sunglasses’ as the next best thing.

It is recommended to use a parasol and sunglasses on days with strong UV rays|Source: Clip Art Korea

Summer essentials ‘parasols and sunglasses’… How to choose the right one?
To protect our skin and eyes, we must look first at performance rather than design. In the case of mass production, it is necessary to check whether the product meets the ‘standard’. According to the National Agency for Technology and Standards, standard parasols must have a UV blocking rate of 85% or more when the arm length is less than 650 mm and a UV blocking rate of 90% or more when the arm length is. is 650 mm or more.

After looking at the UV protection rating, the next thing is the color and material of the parasol. In terms of colour, it is good to choose a product with white on the outside to reflect sunlight and black on the inside to absorb UV rays reflected from the floor. In addition, there are many parasols with lace or wrinkles, and in this case, the transmission of ultraviolet rays increases. Instead of this, a thick polyester or cotton parasol with a plain pattern has a good UV protection effect.

Sunglasses should also be checked for UV protection. The UV blocking rate of sunglasses is usually divided between 60 and 100%, but you should choose a pair with 90% or more. There is something to be aware of at this point. The point is that thicker sunglass lenses do not provide better UV protection. Additionally, if you choose a lens that is too dark, it blocks light and makes the pupil larger, which can instead lead to adverse effects on the lens or retina. Therefore, it is better to choose sunglasses that show the eyes a little.

Sunscreen is essential when going out in the summer|Source: Clip Art Korea

Even if you use a parasol, sunscreen is essential… Sunglasses storage is important
Even if you use a parasol, there is no choice but to expose the skin to sunlight. In addition, the use of sunscreen is recommended as sunscreen cannot block UV rays reflected from the ground. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before leaving the house on all skin exposed to the sun. If you’re going out for a long time, it’s good to reapply from time to time.

From time to time, there are cases where we neglect to wear sunglasses, thinking, ‘It will be fine if we wear a hat or a parasol’. Regarding this, Haidak ophthalmology counseling doctor Lee Seong-hoon (Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic) advised, “It can block UV rays coming down from above, but it cannot block UV rays that arrive through reflection from other objects, so it is recommended wearing sunglasses.”

Another thing to be aware of is how to store sunglasses. Sunglasses are often stored in the car and should be avoided. In the summer, the temperature inside a car rises up to 90 degrees, and sunglasses cannot withstand such a temperature. According to a domestic study, if the temperature is above 70 degrees, it is invisible to the naked eye, but the lens coating is broken and cannot block ultraviolet rays. Therefore, sunglasses should be put in a case and stored in a cool place.

Support = Haidaq Counseling Doctor Lee Seong-hoon (Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic)

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