What are the dangers of UV rays?

Ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun can be harmful to human health and the environment. And did you know that they even pass through glass? So they're just as harmful at home or in the car. Here are the various dangers of UV rays and how to protect yourself indoors and out.

How UV rays work and their dangers

First of all, let's briefly review the principle of action of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. There are three types of UV rays: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C, but UV-C is largely filtered out by the atmosphere and is therefore not dangerous.

UV-B, on the other hand, penetrates the human body down to the epidermis and is responsible for sunburn, burns, blisters and the majority of skin cancers.

Finally, UV-A rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, causing pigmentation spots, premature skin aging and wrinkles, as well as certain skin cancers. So how do you protect yourself against the dangers of the sun?

Protection against the dangers of UV rays outdoors

As you probably already know, the first thing to do outdoors is to avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially during the sunniest hours of the day (generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

Make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin and head, as well as sunglasses to protect your eyes. And above all, never go out without a tube of sunscreen in your belongings. It's the only really effective way of protecting yourself against the dangers of UV rays on your skin, which act even when you're in the shade!

The dangers of UV rays indoors

Indoors, however, it's a different matter. In your home, office or car, UV-A rays can even penetrate windows.

Premature aging of the skin: UV-A and UV-B rays can damage collagen and elastic fibers in the skin, leading to premature aging, wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin.

Eye problems: if you're in a room flooded with sunlight all day long, especially at work, the risk of developing cataracts increases. In fact, prolonged exposure to UV rays can increase the likelihood of developing this condition, which is characterized by opacification of the crystalline lens, leading to blurred vision and diminished vision. It's also possible to get "corneal sunburn", also known as actinic keratitis.

Indoor UV protection solutions

To protect against the dangers of UV rays indoors, there's an effective solution: solar window film.

It is applied directly to windows in the same way as an adhesive film. Its effectiveness against harmful ultraviolet rays is unbeatable. Through a mirror-like reflection effect, it stops their action, preventing them from penetrating through the glass.

By applying solar film to the windows of your car, home or workplace, you can prevent health problems associated with exposure to UV rays, as well as the harmful effects of these rays on your furniture and material goods.

Would you like to receive a quote for solar film installation? Contact us free of charge!