With the discovery of infrared radiation, the well-known German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter had a desire to study the opposite side of this phenomenon.

After some time, he managed to find out that at the other end it has considerable chemical activity.

This spectrum became known as ultraviolet rays. What it is and what effect it has on living terrestrial organisms, let's try to figure it out further.

Both radiations are, in any case, electromagnetic waves. Both infrared and ultraviolet, they limit the spectrum of light perceived by the human eye on both sides.

The main difference between these two phenomena is the wavelength. Ultraviolet has a fairly wide range of wavelengths - from 10 to 380 microns and is located between visible light and X-ray radiation.

Differences between infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation

IR radiation has the main property of emitting heat, while ultraviolet radiation has chemical activity, which has a noticeable effect on the human body.

How does ultraviolet radiation affect humans?

Due to the fact that UV is divided according to the difference in wavelength, they biologically affect the human body in different ways, so scientists distinguish three sections of the ultraviolet range: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C: near, middle and far ultraviolet.

The atmosphere that envelops our planet acts as a protective shield that protects it from the solar ultraviolet stream. Far radiation is retained and absorbed almost completely by oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. Thus, minor radiation reaches the surface in the form of near and mid-range radiation.

The most dangerous is radiation with a short wavelength. If short-wave radiation falls on living tissue, it provokes an immediate destructive effect. But thanks to the fact that our planet has an ozone shield, we are safe from the effects of such rays.

IMPORTANT! Despite natural protection, we use some inventions in everyday life that are sources of this particular range of rays. These are welding machines and ultraviolet lamps, which, unfortunately, cannot be abandoned.

Biologically, ultraviolet affects human skin as a slight redness, sunburn, which is a fairly mild reaction. But it is worth considering the individual feature of the skin, which can specifically respond to UV radiation.

Exposure to UV rays also has adverse effects on the eyes. Many are aware that ultraviolet affects the human body in one way or another, but not everyone knows the details, so we will try to understand this topic in more detail.

UV mutagenesis or how UV affects human skin

It is impossible to completely refuse the sun's rays on the skin, this leads to extremely unpleasant consequences.

But it is also contraindicated to go to extremes and try to acquire an attractive shade of the body, exhausting yourself under the merciless rays of the sun. What can happen if you are uncontrollably exposed to the scorching sun?

If redness of the skin is found, this is not a sign that after a while, it will pass and a nice, chocolate tan will remain. The skin is darker due to the fact that the body produces a coloring pigment, melanin, which fights against the adverse effects of UV on our body.

Moreover, redness on the skin does not remain long, but it can lose elasticity forever. Epithelial cells may also begin to grow, visually reflected in the form of freckles and age spots, which will also remain for a long time, or even forever.

Penetrating deep into tissues, ultraviolet light can lead to ultraviolet mutagenesis, which is damage to cells at the gene level. The most dangerous can be melanoma, in case of metastasis of which death can occur.

How to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation?

Is it possible to protect the skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation? Yes, if, while on the beach, you follow just a few rules:

1. It is necessary to be under the scorching sun for a short time and at strictly defined hours, when the acquired light tan acts as photoprotection of the skin.
2. Be sure to use sunscreen. Before you buy this kind of product, be sure to check if it can protect you from UV-A and UV-B.
3. It is worth including in the diet foods that contain the maximum amount of vitamins C and E, as well as rich in antioxidants.

If you are not on the beach, but are forced to be in the open air, you should choose special clothes that can protect your skin from UV.

Electroophthalmia - the negative effect of UV radiation on the eyes

Electroophthalmia is a phenomenon that occurs due to the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the structure of the eye. Mid-range UV waves in this case are very destructive to human vision.

Electroophthalmia

These phenomena most often occur when:

• A person watches the sun and its location without protecting his eyes with special devices;
• Bright sun in an open space (beach);
• A person is in a snowy area, in the mountains;
• In the room where the person is located, there are quartz lamps.

Electroophthalmia can lead to a corneal burn, the main symptoms of which include:

• Watery eyes;
• Significant pain;
• Fear of bright light;
• Redness of the white;
• Swelling of the epithelium of the cornea and eyelids.

About statistics, the deep layers of the cornea do not have time to be damaged, therefore, when the epithelium heals, vision is completely restored.

How to provide first aid for electroophthalmia?

If a person experiences the above symptoms, it is not only aesthetically unpleasant, but can also cause unimaginable suffering.

First aid is quite simple:

• First, rinse your eyes with clean water;
• Then apply moisturizing drops;
• Put on glasses;

To get rid of the pain in the eyes, just make a compress from wet black tea bags, or grate raw potatoes. If these methods do not help, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

To avoid such situations, it is enough to purchase social sunglasses. The UV-400 marking indicates that this accessory is able to protect the eyes from all UV radiation.

How is UV radiation used in medical practice?

In medicine, there is the concept of “ultraviolet fasting,” which can occur in the event of prolonged avoidance of sunlight. In this case, unpleasant pathologies may arise, which can be easily avoided by using artificial ultraviolet sources.

Their small exposure can compensate for the winter vitamin D deficiency.

In addition, such therapy is applicable in case of joint problems, skin diseases and allergic reactions.

Using UV radiation you can:

• Increase hemoglobin, but reduce sugar levels;
• Normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• Improve and eliminate problems of the respiratory and endocrine systems;
• Using installations with ultraviolet radiation, premises and surgical instruments are disinfected;
• UV rays have bactericidal properties, which is especially useful for patients with purulent wounds.

IMPORTANT! Whenever using such radiation in practice, it is worth familiarizing yourself with not only the positive, but also the negative aspects of their impact. The use of artificial, as well as natural, UV radiation as treatment is strictly prohibited for oncology, bleeding, stage 1 and 2 hypertension, and active tuberculosis.

Water, sunlight and oxygen contained in the earth’s atmosphere are the main conditions for the emergence and factors that ensure the continuation of life on our planet. At the same time, it has long been proven that the spectrum and intensity of solar radiation in the vacuum of space are unchanged, and on Earth the impact of ultraviolet radiation depends on many reasons: time of year, geographic location, altitude above sea level, thickness of the ozone layer, cloudiness and the level of concentration of natural and industrial impurities in the air.

What are ultraviolet rays

The sun emits rays in ranges visible and invisible to the human eye. The invisible spectrum includes infrared and ultraviolet rays.

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic waves with a length of 7 to 14 nm, which carry a colossal flow of thermal energy to the Earth, and therefore they are often called thermal. The share of infrared rays in solar radiation is 40%.

Ultraviolet radiation is a spectrum of electromagnetic waves, the range of which is divided conventionally into near and far ultraviolet rays. Distant or vacuum rays are completely absorbed by the upper layers of the atmosphere. Under terrestrial conditions, they are artificially generated only in vacuum chambers.

Near ultraviolet rays are divided into three subgroups of ranges:

• long – A (UVA) from 400 to 315 nm;
• medium – B (UVB) from 315 to 280 nm;
• short – C (UVC) from 280 to 100 nm.

How is ultraviolet radiation measured? Today, there are many special devices, both for domestic and professional use, that allow you to measure the frequency, intensity and magnitude of the received dose of UV rays, and thereby assess their likely harmfulness to the body.

Despite the fact that ultraviolet radiation makes up only about 10% of sunlight, it was thanks to its influence that a qualitative leap occurred in the evolutionary development of life - the emergence of organisms from water to land.

Main sources of ultraviolet radiation

The main and natural source of ultraviolet radiation is, of course, the Sun. But man has also learned to “produce ultraviolet light” using special lamp devices:

• high-pressure mercury-quartz lamps operating in the general range of UV radiation - 100-400 nm;
• vital fluorescent lamps generating wavelengths from 280 to 380 nm, with a maximum emission peak between 310 and 320 nm;
• ozone and non-ozone (with quartz glass) bactericidal lamps, 80% of ultraviolet rays of which are at a length of 185 nm.

Both ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light have the ability to affect the chemical structure of cells of living organisms and plants, and at the moment, only some species of bacteria are known that can do without it. For everyone else, the lack of ultraviolet radiation will lead to inevitable death.

So what is the real biological effect of ultraviolet rays, what are the benefits and is there any harm from ultraviolet radiation for humans?

The effect of ultraviolet rays on the human body

The most insidious ultraviolet radiation is short-wave ultraviolet radiation, since it destroys all types of protein molecules.

So why is terrestrial life possible and continuing on our planet? What layer of the atmosphere blocks harmful ultraviolet rays?

Living organisms are protected from hard ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layers of the stratosphere, which completely absorb rays in this range, and they simply do not reach the surface of the Earth.

Therefore, 95% of the total mass of solar ultraviolet comes from long waves (A), and approximately 5% from medium waves (B). But it’s important to clarify here. Despite the fact that there are many more long UV waves and they have great penetrating power, affecting the reticular and papillary layers of the skin, it is the 5% of medium waves that cannot penetrate beyond the epidermis that have the greatest biological impact.

It is mid-range ultraviolet radiation that intensively affects the skin, eyes, and also actively affects the functioning of the endocrine, central nervous and immune systems.

On the one hand, ultraviolet irradiation can cause:

• severe sunburn of the skin - ultraviolet erythema;
• clouding of the lens leading to blindness - cataracts;
• skin cancer – melanoma.

In addition, ultraviolet rays have a mutagenic effect and cause disruptions in the functioning of the immune system, which cause the occurrence of other oncological pathologies.

On the other hand, it is the effect of ultraviolet radiation that has a significant impact on the metabolic processes occurring in the human body as a whole. The synthesis of melatonin and serotonin increases, the level of which has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine and central nervous systems. Ultraviolet light activates the production of vitamin D, which is the main component for the absorption of calcium, and also prevents the development of rickets and osteoporosis.

Ultraviolet irradiation of the skin

Skin lesions can be both structural and functional in nature, which, in turn, can be divided into:

1. Acute injuries– arise due to high doses of solar radiation from mid-range rays received in a short time. These include acute photodermatosis and erythema.
2. Delayed damage– occur against the background of prolonged irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet rays, the intensity of which, by the way, does not depend on the time of year or the time of daylight. These include chronic photodermatitis, photoaging of the skin or solar geroderma, ultraviolet mutagenesis and the occurrence of neoplasms: melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer. Among the list of delayed injuries is herpes.

It is important to note that both acute and delayed damage can be caused by excessive exposure to artificial sunbathing, not wearing sunglasses, as well as by visiting solariums that use uncertified equipment and/or do not carry out special preventive calibration of ultraviolet lamps.

Skin protection from ultraviolet radiation

If you do not abuse any “sunbathing”, then the human body will cope with protection from radiation on its own, because more than 20% is retained by a healthy epidermis. Today, protection from ultraviolet radiation of the skin comes down to the following techniques that minimize the risk of the formation of malignant neoplasms:

• limiting time spent in the sun, especially during midday summer hours;
• wearing light but closed clothing, because to receive the necessary dose that stimulates the production of vitamin D, it is not at all necessary to cover yourself with a tan;
• selection of sunscreens depending on the specific ultraviolet index characteristic of the area, time of year and day, as well as your own skin type.

Attention! For indigenous residents of central Russia, a UV index above 8 not only requires the use of active protection, but also poses a real threat to health. Radiation measurements and solar indices forecasts can be found on leading weather websites.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the eyes

Damage to the structure of the eye cornea and lens (electro-ophthalmia) is possible with visual contact with any source of ultraviolet radiation. Despite the fact that a healthy cornea does not transmit and reflects 70% of hard ultraviolet radiation, there are many reasons that can become a source of serious diseases. Among them:

• unprotected observation of flares, solar eclipses;
• a casual glance at a star on the sea coast or in high mountains;
• photo injury from camera flash;
• observing the operation of a welding machine or neglecting safety precautions (lack of a protective helmet) when working with it;
• long-term operation of the strobe light in discos;
• violation of the rules for visiting a solarium;
• long-term stay in a room in which quartz bactericidal ozone lamps operate.

What are the first signs of electroophthalmia? Clinical symptoms, namely redness of the eye sclera and eyelids, pain when moving the eyeballs and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, as a rule, occur 5-10 hours after the above circumstances. However, means of protection against ultraviolet radiation are available to everyone, because even ordinary glass lenses do not transmit most UV rays.

The use of safety glasses with a special photochromic coating on the lenses, the so-called “chameleon glasses,” will be the best “household” option for eye protection. You won't have to worry about wondering what color and shade level of UV filter actually provides effective protection in specific circumstances.

And of course, if you expect eye contact with ultraviolet flashes, it is necessary to wear protective glasses in advance or use other devices that block rays harmful to the cornea and lens.

Application of ultraviolet radiation in medicine

Ultraviolet light kills fungus and other microbes in the air and on the surface of walls, ceilings, floors and objects, and after exposure to special lamps, mold is removed. People use this bactericidal property of ultraviolet light to ensure the sterility of manipulation and surgical rooms. But ultraviolet radiation in medicine is used not only to combat hospital-acquired infections.

The properties of ultraviolet radiation have found their application in a wide variety of diseases. At the same time, new methods are constantly being developed and improved. For example, ultraviolet blood irradiation, invented about 50 years ago, was initially used to suppress the growth of bacteria in the blood during sepsis, severe pneumonia, extensive purulent wounds and other purulent-septic pathologies.

Today, ultraviolet irradiation of blood or blood purification helps fight acute poisoning, drug overdose, furunculosis, destructive pancreatitis, obliterating atherosclerosis, ischemia, cerebral atherosclerosis, alcoholism, drug addiction, acute mental disorders and many other diseases, the list of which is constantly expanding. .

Diseases for which the use of ultraviolet radiation is indicated, and when any procedure with UV rays is harmful:

INDICATIONS	CONTRAINDICATIONS
solar starvation, rickets	individual intolerance
wounds and ulcers	oncology
frostbite and burns	bleeding
neuralgia and myositis	hemophilia
psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, erysipelas	ONMK
respiratory diseases	photodermatitis
diabetes	kidney and liver failure
adnexitis	malaria
osteomyelitis, osteoporosis	hyperthyroidism
non-systemic rheumatic lesions	heart attacks, strokes

In order to live without pain, people with joint damage will benefit from an ultraviolet lamp as an invaluable aid in general complex therapy.

The influence of ultraviolet radiation in rheumatoid arthritis and arthrosis, the combination of ultraviolet therapy techniques with the correct selection of biodose and a competent antibiotic regimen is a 100% guarantee of achieving a systemic health effect with a minimal drug load.

In conclusion, we note that the positive effect of ultraviolet radiation on the body and just one single procedure of ultraviolet irradiation (purification) of the blood + 2 sessions in a solarium will help a healthy person look and feel 10 years younger.

Anesthesiologist-resuscitator
department of anesthesiology and resuscitation No. 2
Kutasevich T.V.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between soft ionizing radiation on the one hand and the visible spectrum on the other. From the point of view of impact on the human body, there are three ranges of UV radiation:

• UV A- with a wavelength of 400-320 nm - long-wave radiation that penetrates well into the skin. It is the predominant part of solar radiation. It is almost not absorbed in the atmosphere and therefore reaches the earth's surface. There are numerous artificial sources of UVA, the main ones being special lamps in tanning salons.
• UV B- with a wavelength of 320-280 nm - medium-wave, tanning radiation. A significant part of this spectral range is absorbed by stratospheric ozone.
• UV C- with a wavelength of 280-200 nm - short-wave, bactericidal radiation. All this spectral region is absorbed in the stratosphere. It is emitted by bactericidal lamps, as well as by electric welding.

The main part of UV radiation<290 нм активно поглощается озоновым слоем стратосферы. Интенсивность УФ воздействия зависит от метеоусловий и географического положения на местности.

The main target of ultraviolet radiation is human skin, since ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate deeper. UV interacts with the organ of vision in different ways. UVB does not penetrate deeper than the lens. And therefore, all effects will be associated with this important formation. UV A reaches the retina. Therefore, the vitreous body can be negatively affected.

At the cellular level, there are 3 "targets" for UV radiation: DNA, proteins, lipids. DNA damage plays the most important role in the development of further pathology in humans. As a result of photochemical reactions with nitrogenous bases (they encode hereditary information), cross-links can be formed between adjacent DNA helices. They disrupt the DNA structure, destroy the information code and, most importantly, are difficult to remove. The consequence of this can be mutations and even malignant degeneration of the cell. These processes occur not only in skin cells, but also in blood cells - lymphocytes, which enter the subcutaneous capillaries. An example of an effect on proteins is a photochemical disruption of the main protein of the eye's lens, leading to cataracts (clouding of the lens). In addition, exposure to UV leads to damage to biological membranes.

In the process of evolution, humans have developed natural mechanisms of protection against the damaging effects of UV radiation. Known three defense mechanisms:

1. Skin pigmentation or sunburn. This is a basic and very powerful mechanism. Its meaning is that under the influence of UV light, the formation of pigment - melanin - occurs in specialized skin cells (melanocytes). Melanocytes are distributed unevenly throughout the body. In the skin of the forehead there are twice as many of these cells as in the upper limbs. Pale people contain no less pigment cells than swarthy individuals. The color of their skin is explained by the fact that the cells produce different amounts of melanin. The process of melanin formation can occur in two ways: direct and indirect. Their differences are fundamental. The direct pathway of melanin formation is not the main, but rather a backup mechanism. Triggered by exposure to UVA. It consists of staining existing, preformed melanin, small amounts of which are present in the cell. The indirect path is the main mechanism. Consists in the synthesis of melanin from low molecular weight precursors (tyrosine amino acids). The process is complex and lengthy. It does not develop immediately and requires erythema (redness) of the skin. This reaction requires a certain dose of UV, which is called the minimum erythemal dose (MED). Melanin formed in one way or another performs a very important function - it absorbs UV and prevents it from exerting its destructive effect.

2. Formation of urocanic (urocanic) acid.

This compound is released with human sweat and, being on the surface of the skin, is capable of capturing UV quanta, thereby weakening their effect on human skin. Remember how difficult it is to sunbathe far from a body of water. It is sweat, with the urocanic acid found in it, that causes this effect. But when a person bathes and washes off the sweat, the tan “sticks” much easier and faster. This acid is often included in some sunscreen cosmetics.

3. Keratization of the upper layer of skin.

Initially, UV radiation inhibits cell division in the skin. Immediately after irradiation, cell division stops. The subsequent acceleration of cell division is caused by the loss of excess cellular material (desquamation). This is why tanned skin feels rougher to the touch.

The skin of any person is distinguished by its sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Different countries around the world classify the types of skin sensitivity to UV in different ways. For the European population, the most common division is into 4 skin types. The types of sensitivity differ in the number of melanocytes in the skin, as well as their ability to synthesize melanin.

Type I Particularly sensitive fair skin. This includes approximately 2% of Europeans. These individuals hardly tan. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, redness (erythema) quickly forms. They are distinguished by blue or green eyes, the presence of freckles, and red hair. This also includes natural blondes. Please note that due to certain characteristics, children should be included in this group. This is due to the fact that children's skin is thinner and, therefore, UV can penetrate deeper into it, causing much more damage to cellular elements.

II type. Sensitive skin. Approximately 12% of Europeans are in this group. People with this skin sensitivity are characterized by blue, green or gray eyes and light brown or brown hair. A tan forms, but with difficulty.

III type. Normal skin. There are the most of them in the European population, about 78%. Individuals have dark brown, brown hair. Eyes gray or light brown. They tan easily.

IV type. Insensitive skin. This group contains 8% Europeans. People with this skin type have dark skin, dark eyes and dark hair color.

Rules for “safe” tanning.

• When going on vacation to subtropical and, especially, tropical countries, remember that the ultraviolet index there is much higher. It exceeds the extreme values ​​​​established by the WHO. Only indigenous people tolerate this excessive insolation well. At the same time, pay attention to the color of their skin. They are dark-skinned and thus well protected from UV. For Europeans, including residents of Belarus, who have a small reserve of protective mechanisms, excessive UV irradiation is dangerous. This is especially true when vacationing in tropical countries during our winter period. It is genetically determined that melanin synthesis at this time of year is minimal and, therefore, you expose yourself to even greater risk.

• However, when relaxing, follow the tanning rules. Taking into account your skin type, choose the time of exposure to the sun and, especially, the time of primary tanning. The best time for sunbathing is before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. In the morning and evening, solar radiation is better filtered in the atmosphere.

• Pay attention to risk factors in relation to the development of cancer from UV (heredity (skin cancer in one of the close relatives, as well as previous diagnosis and treatment for this pathology), the first type of skin sensitivity (red hair color, freckles), long-term , intense insolation, sunburn in childhood, the presence of a large number of birthmarks (more than 40), large birthmarks (> 5 mm), the presence of birthmarks at birth, previous operations for organ transplantation, the presence of atypical, dysplastic moles, precursors of skin cancer). Consult a dermatologist first.
• Use sunscreen cosmetics. They all have a certain SPF (solar protection factor). If you get the MED in 15 minutes, then using a cosmetic product with a factor of 15 you will get the same MED, but after being in the sun 15 times longer. Despite the cost of the product, do not skimp on it when applying it to your skin. Repeat application every two to two and a half hours. The chemical components that it contains do not withstand UV. After bathing, also repeat the treatment. The following table provides information on the selection of sun protection products with different protection factors.

• While sunbathing, protect your face from UV with a wide-brimmed hat or Panama hat. Different fabrics have different abilities to protect the body from UV rays. So, cotton fabric protects quite poorly from UVB. Even worse is linen fabric. Polyester products and composite fabrics have much better abilities. Fabrics dyed in dark colors: black, red, blue absorb UV much more. On the contrary, light-colored fabrics largely reflect it.

• Protect your eyes from UV radiation. Never buy cheap plastic glasses for your children. Plastic is UV transparent. Glasses must be glass, because... Any glass blocks UV perfectly.
• When going on vacation to the mountains, keep in mind that as you rise, the thickness of the layer of air that filters UV decreases. Therefore, at an altitude of 1000 meters, the intensity of UV radiation increases by approximately 6%. This is especially true for UFA. Snow and glaciers perfectly reflect solar radiation and therefore the damaging effect may be higher.
• Do not use any cosmetics or perfumes before sunbathing. It is unknown what is included in these products and how they will react to UV radiation. This may lead to the phenomenon of phototoxicity or cause photoallergy.
• If you are taking any medications, be sure to consult your doctor before starting sunbathing. Medications can make the skin more sensitive to UV.
• Sand and concrete coatings reflect UV and, therefore, can increase the damaging effect. For example, sand reflects up to 25% UV.
• Avoid sunbathing in strong, dry winds as this increases the risk of sunburn. This is due to the fact that urocanic acid, which is released with sweat, reduces its protective effect and can only act in an aquatic environment, and sweat quickly evaporates in windy weather.
• To reduce the damaging effect of UV on the skin and human body, experts advise to start taking vitamin preparations (vitamins C, E, A or carotene) in advance (10-14 days) before the start of summer holidays and sunbathing, but always with microelements such as selenium and zinc, which are especially necessary for the activity of the human immune system. In this case, be sure to consult your doctor.

Rules for tanning in a solarium

• Before visiting a solarium, you should consult a specialist about whether you can do this. Antibiotics, tranquilizers, antidepressants and some other medications are a strict contraindication for going to the solarium.
• Eye protection. During the session, be sure to wear special glasses. The lenses need to be removed.
• Hair protection. In order to avoid thinness and fragility of hair, you should wear a cotton scarf during the procedure.
• Skin protection. Try not to wash with soap immediately before tanning, so as not to destroy the acidic reaction of the skin. Before sunbathing in a solarium, you need to treat your skin with tanning oil, sunscreen - you must have tanning cosmetics. The cream will weaken the ultraviolet radiation, the tan will lie smoother and softer. Please note that it is strictly not recommended to use nourishing and hormonal creams before the procedure!
• Chest protection.
• Face protection. Before tanning in a solarium, your facial skin should be wiped with a non-alcohol toner. All makeup must be removed before visiting the solarium. It is also not recommended to use perfumes, deodorants.
• Protection of the respiratory, cardiac, endocrine systems of the body. At the end of the procedure, many systems and organs in the body begin to actively work, so after a solarium it is recommended to rest and relax. A cold shower is not desirable immediately after a solarium.
• Before a solarium, you should not perform body peeling, visit a bathhouse, sauna, do depilation, or any invasive cosmetic procedures. .
• Timely change of lamps in the solarium.
• From the point of view of authoritative organizations (WHO, International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Commission on Radiation Protection of the German Ministry of the Environment, EUROSKIN, etc.), leading experts in this field should not visit solariums for cosmetic purposes at all. This greatly increases the risk of skin cancer.

In the summer we spend more time outdoors, at the same time wearing less clothing, the skin comes into more contact with solar radiation, which increases the risk of skin damage. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin is the main cause of the development of malignant skin tumors, the most malignant of which is melanoma. Over the past 10 years, the incidence of melanoma in Russia has increased from 4.5 to 6.1 per 100 thousand population. Every year this tumor affects 8-9 thousand Russians.

It is not always possible to prevent melanoma, but we can significantly reduce the risk of developing this disease.

Protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation is necessary not only during a beach holiday. Protection is necessary in all situations where you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially during peak sun hours (10am to 4pm), such as gardening, boating, sports, fishing, hiking, mowing the lawn , walks around the city and in parks, cycling.

Protection from ultraviolet radiation.

A direct connection has been proven between exposure to solar radiation and the incidence of malignant neoplasms, including melanoma. Now it is possible to accurately assess the intensity of solar radiation and the danger of its damaging effects on the skin in a certain place at a certain time. To do this, they focus on the values ​​of the UV index (ultraviolet radiation index), which has values ​​on a scale from 1 to 11+ and shows the strength of UV radiation in a particular place. The higher the UV index, the greater the likelihood of sunburn, skin damage and, ultimately, the appearance of various malignant skin tumors.

• Skin protection with clothing.

If you plan to be in the open sun for a long time, protect your skin with clothing. There is a common misconception that any clothing reliably protects the skin from contact with ultraviolet radiation. However, it is not; It is important to pay attention both to the style of the clothing itself and to the characteristics of the fabric from which it is made.

Choose clothes that cover your body as much as possible: ankle-length trousers and skirts, T-shirts and blouses with long sleeves.

Dyed, especially with natural pigments (green, brown, beige), or dark clothes protect better from sunlight than white ones, however, they heat up more, increasing the heat load on the body. Double-layer materials double their protective properties. Clothes made of thick fabric are preferred.

Fabrics made from cotton, linen, and hemp block ultraviolet light well, but fabrics made from natural silk do not protect from solar radiation. Polyester blocks ultraviolet radiation as much as possible.

Protect your scalp by wearing a hat (hat, headscarf). Remember to protect the skin of your ears; they will be protected by the shade of a wide-brimmed hat. The skin of the neck especially needs protection; it is the least protected area of ​​the body; choose clothes with a collar that can be raised, or tie a scarf or headscarf around your neck.

Remember that clothing cannot provide 100% protection; if light is visible through the fabric, it means it is transmitting UV.

• Use of sunscreens for external use.

Use sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. It is a fairly common belief that you should only use sunscreen on the beach. However, the sun affects us all year round, and during the period of increased seasonal activity, the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation are no less in the city than on the beach.

During hours of maximum solar activity from 10.00 to 16.00, all exposed skin must be protected by applying sunscreen. On the beach - on the whole body, in the city or on a walk - on the face, lips, ears, neck, hands. Most people use sunscreen incorrectly, using it too sparingly. The recommended amount of sunscreen per unit of skin surface is 2 mg of SPF per 1 cm of skin. For a single application of sunscreen to the skin of an adult, at least 30 ml of product is required.

Apply the protectant even on cloudy days when the sun is hidden behind the clouds, as cloudiness does not prevent the penetration of UV radiation.

Before applying sunscreen, be sure to read the included instructions, which indicate how often you should reapply it. On average, it is necessary to repeat the skin treatment every 2 hours of exposure to the sun. Many products are not moisture resistant and require reapplication after each immersion in water; increased sweating can also shorten the time of effective protection. Many fans of beach holidays find a certain pleasure in extremely long passive exposure to the sun; they diligently “sunbathe” for hours, in full confidence that they are benefiting their body and “getting healthier.” This very dangerous practice is especially loved by middle-aged and elderly people. Such vacationers should remember that even the proper use of sunscreen does not guarantee absolute protection of the skin from damage; the time spent in the open sun should be strictly limited (no more than 2 hours).

• Staying in the shade during active sun hours.

Limiting prolonged exposure to the sun is another way to avoid harmful UV exposure. This is especially true in the middle of the day, from 10.00 and 16.00, when UV radiation is overly active. A simple test helps to understand the intensity of solar radiation: if a person’s shadow is shorter than the person’s height, then the sun is active, and protective measures must be taken. Being in the shade of a beach umbrella is not complete protection, since up to 84% of ultraviolet rays are reflected from the sand and easily reach the skin.

• Using sunglasses.

While paying attention to protecting your skin, don't forget about your eyes. Melanoma of the eyes is no less common than melanoma of the skin. The risk of its development can only be reduced by using special sunglasses. It is better to use large-diameter glasses, the lenses of which block at least 98% of ultraviolet rays. Buy glasses from specialized optical stores, make sure that their lenses absorb UV at a wavelength of up to 400 nm, which means that the glasses block at least 98% of UV rays. Without such instructions on the label, the glasses will most likely not provide sufficient eye protection.

By protecting yourself from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, you prolong your life.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the human body has been studied quite well today. Ultraviolet rays belong to the category of electromagnetic radiation, occupying the spectral range between x-rays and visible radiation. At the same time, artificially created ultraviolet sources are widely used in medicine and cosmetology, as well as in agriculture.

Natural and artificial sources

Numerous sources of UV radiation can be of natural or artificial origin, and their amount reaching the Earth directly depends on several factors, presented:

• the concentration of atmospheric ozone above the earth's surface;
• the height of the Sun above the horizon;
• indicators of height above sea level;
• atmospheric dispersion;
• the state of the cloud cover;
• the degree of reflection of rays from the water and earth's surface.

The composition of sunlight takes into account the proportions of UV-B and UV-A radiation intensity, and the classification of artificial sources depends on the area of ​​application and a certain spectral range:

• erythemal lamps with antirachitis effect. Lamps developed in the 60s of the last century compensated for the “UV deficiency” of natural radiation and intensified the processes of photochemical synthesis of vitamin D3 in human skin;
• ultraviolet LLs with a radiation spectrum that matches the spectrum of the effects of phototaxis of certain flying insect pests, represented by flies, mosquitoes, moths, and which are carriers of diseases and infections, or cause damage to various products and products;
• sources such as “Artificial solarium”, which cause a fairly rapid formation of a tan. Ultraviolet irradiation is strictly regulated depending on the type of installation and typical skin characteristics. The standard and compact version can have a power of 15-230 W at a wavelength of 30-200 nm.

In 1980, the American psychiatrist Alfred Levy described the effect of the so-called “winter depression,” which is currently classified as a disease called “season-dependent disorder.” Briefly: this disease is provoked by insufficient insolation in the form of natural light.

UV exposure

Many polymers used in a variety of consumer products can degrade when exposed to UV light. The problems of such influence are considered to be the disappearance of color, the appearance of dullness on the surface, cracking, and in some cases the complete destruction of the product itself. The frequency and speed of destruction increases with exposure time and depends on the degree of solar radiation intensity. This effect is called UV aging of polymers. The category of highly sensitive polymers includes:

• polypropylenes;
• polyethylenes;
• organic glass;
• special fibers, including aramid.

The effect on polymers is used in nanotechnology, X-ray lithography, as well as transplantology and other fields.

Several ranges can affect people's health:

• UV-A or near ultraviolet (UVA, 315-400 nm);
• UV-C or far ultraviolet (UVC, 100-280 nm);
• UV-B rays (UVB, 280-315 nm).

The specific properties of ultraviolet radiation have been confirmed by space medicine, and preventive UV irradiation is practiced in space flights. Exposure of the skin to large quantities causes varying degrees of burns and ultraviolet mutagenesis. The main type of eye damage from ultraviolet rays in ophthalmological clinical practice is represented by a burn of the cornea (electro-ophthalmia).

Application area

Thanks to UV rays, a hidden image can be seen on VISA credit cards, and for the purpose of reliable protection against forgery of documents and passports of some countries, they are often equipped with luminescent marks that are visible only under ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet radiation in medicine and other fields is represented by:

• disinfection of air, water and various surfaces in a wide variety of areas of human activity;
• a physiotherapeutic procedure, irradiation of certain areas of the body with UV radiation of different ranges;
• UV spectrophotometry, based on irradiation using monochromatic UV radiation with a variable wavelength;
• analysis of minerals, which makes it possible to determine the composition of a substance based on the type of glow;
• chromatographic analysis, which helps to identify certain organic substances in accordance with the color of the glow and the retention index;
• traps for insect pests;
• solariums;
• restoration work to determine the aging of the varnish film;
• drying varnishes and paints;
• hardening of dental fillings.

In biotechnology, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation makes it possible to obtain genetic mutations. The largest number of mutational changes is observed as a result of irradiation with radiation at a wavelength of 265 nm, which is well absorbed by deoxyribonucleic acids.

Positive effects of UV rays on the human body

Small doses have beneficial effects on humans and animals. The sun's rays have a powerful therapeutic and preventive effect and help maintain health. The effect of ultraviolet rays varies and directly depends on the wavelength. Some of these waves have a vitamin-forming effect with the formation of vitamin D in the skin, while others have a pigment and erythema effect. The shortest ultraviolet rays can have a fairly powerful bactericidal effect.

In 1903, the Danish physiotherapist N. Finsen used sun rays in the treatment of skin tuberculosis. It was thanks to such research that the scientist received the Nobel Prize. Ultraviolet rays affect the neuroreceptor apparatus and provoke complex chemical transformations in the body. Irradiation affects the tone of the central nervous system, improves metabolism and has a positive effect on the composition of the blood, and also activates the work of the endocrine glands.

Ultraviolet light also prevents and treats some diseases, including rickets, eczema, psoriasis and jaundice.

It is important to remember that the positive effects of sunlight appear at certain doses, and any overdose can cause serious disorders of the cardiac, nervous and vascular systems.

Negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the body

The negative effects of ultraviolet rays are caused by chemical changes in the absorbing molecules of living cells, including nucleic acids and proteins. The negative impact is expressed by division disorders, mutations and cell death. The eyes can be damaged by strong sunlight, which reflects off snow, white sand and water, increasing light levels. Such exposure to rays often causes photokeratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and photoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the connective membrane of the eye).

Photokeratitis often causes complete or partial blindness, preceded by chronic irritation and lacrimation. The development of cataracts is promoted by repeated exposure to sunlight. The skin also needs full protection from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. The level of sensitivity of the body to sunlight varies from person to person, changes with age and depends on the functioning of the thyroid gland. In spring, there is a higher sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. Quite quickly, under the influence of radiation, the skin turns red, and upon repeated exposure, a tan appears. Overheating results in burns with severe pain and a burning sensation.

Repeated sun exposure provokes degeneration of skin cells, accompanied by the appearance of moles and age spots, which makes the tan uneven. Excessive use of solariums and tanning causes an increase in the number of skin cancers, including carcioma and malignant melanoma. However, there is no need to completely deprive yourself of ultraviolet radiation. Lack of natural insolation causes the development of various diseases, including a general decrease in immunity and rickets.

UV protection

Currently, the danger of solar radiation and the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin have been assessed quite accurately. For protection, clothing, various external sunscreens, sunglasses and rules of safe behavior are used.

Clothing protection

The skin of the body must be protected by clothing, when choosing which you should pay attention to the style and characteristics of the fabric. It is recommended to choose models that cover the body as much as possible in the form of trousers and long skirts, T-shirts and blouses with long sleeves. Dark clothing provides the best protection from the sun's rays, but it quickly heats up and increases body overheating. Doctors recommend clothing made from dense fabrics, including cotton, linen and hemp, as well as polyester. You need to protect your scalp with any hats.

External sun protection products

Use sun protection products that have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. During maximum sun activity (from 10:00 to 16:00), sunscreen is applied to exposed areas of the skin at the rate of 2 mg per centimeter of skin. You must first read the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the product. Non-waterproof products require reapplication after immersion in water.

Shadow during solar hours

Limitations on the duration of exposure to the open sun are a prerequisite for protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. It is especially important to observe this rule during the daytime, and the level of intensity of solar radiation is determined by a simple test: if the human shadow is shorter than a person’s height, then the sun’s rays are very active, and protective measures must be taken.

Sunglasses

You need to pay attention not only to protecting your skin, but also your eyes. You can minimize the risk of developing ocular melanoma by wearing special, large-diameter sunglasses. The glasses of such glasses allow you to block about 98-99% of ultraviolet rays at a wavelength within 400 nm. Providing protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation can prolong human life.