The sun keeps our planet warm enough that living things can live and thrive. Another function of the sun is to give us light so that we can see , but the truth is that it can also burn us. But what is the cause of these possible burns?

Everything you need to know about the sun’s energy

The sun sends us a lot of energy all the time through its solar rays. Did you know that there are many types of energy? For example, there is infrared radiation, which is heat. There is also visible light, which is what our eyes can see. Another type of energy to be aware of is ultraviolet light, which we cannot see with our eyes but which is there and can cause sunburn on the skin .

Being in the sun … with protection is better

Infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet light are all types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. All these solar radiation are energy , but these energy waves are not all the same because some have more energy than others.

For example, infrared waves have less energy than visible light waves. Infrared waves are longer and with more space between each high and low level. Ultraviolet waves, meanwhile, have more energy than visible light. It is precisely this energy that can hurt and burn our skin.

Protect ourselves from sunburn

If too much UV light hits our skin, it can damage our cells over time. Cells can die and our bodies react to such burns. The skin turns red and can hurt a lot.

Ultraviolet light comes from the sun, but it can also bounce off other surfaces like water or snow. That means that even if you are under an umbrella you can get sunburn. Ultraviolet light can also pass through clouds, so it can burn you on a cloudy day. That is why the use of sunscreens is so important, as they are designed to protect skin cells, avoid the possibility of burns and, over time, the appearance of so-called skin cancer.

You can protect your skin by doing other things besides using sun creams, which prevent ultraviolet waves from reaching it. Clothes and hats are an excellent way to also keep those “waves” away from our body and to protect our scalp. Moisturizing cream with protection factor, which should be quite high especially for young children or for people with blond or red hair who have more delicate skin, contains chemicals that can reflect or absorb ultraviolet light , leaving the skin free sunburn.

The use of these creams is absolutely necessary, as it allows us to do such fun things as enjoy and play on the beach without fear of burning our skin . Of course, it is very important that we put the cream all over the body at least 30 minutes before bathing or sun exposure, and that if we get into the water we remember to apply the cream again. When children (such as our little brothers) are less than six months old, we should not let them sunbathe directly and always protect them with T-shirts, sunglasses, lots of cream and hats. They are very sensitive!

In this way we can enjoy the other energy of the sun, the one that is visible and that makes us so happy, especially in summer.

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