Having a skin condition like skin cancer can really open your eyes to the dangers of UV radiation. It's important to take good care of your skin outdoors, utilizing shade, clothing, hats, and sunscreen to protect yourself. But what if you knew that the danger could follow you inside, too? Here are a few sources and amplifiers of UV radiation that you might not know about.

Windows

Being inside out of direct sunlight might seem like you're in the clear, but it's unfortunately not true. If you have windows that let in light, chances are you're still being exposed to UV rays.

UV radiation isn't effectively filtered out by standard glass or even car window glass. Only certain parts of the spectrum are filtered out, leaving you exposed to the rest. This can increase your risk for developing skin cancer, aging prematurely, and having overall skin damage.

Light Bulbs

Not all light bulbs produce UV radiation, but believe it or not, some do. And that doesn't just mean tanning lamps.

CFL light bulbs - the curly-looking ones - produce a measurable amount of UV radiation. While these bulbs are supposed to have a filter to help prevent UV radiation from escaping, these filters can be damaged, allowing more UV rays to pass through than they should. Sitting under the illumination of a CFL bulb could be dangerous for you. Consider switching to standard bulbs, or if energy-conscious, an LED bulb, as these do not produce UV radiation.

Reflective Surfaces

Have you ever heard that you need to be worried about getting burned while around snow because it reflects UV rays? The same could be said of surfaces in your home.

Think about a room in your house that has light-colored walls. Perhaps it's even due to bathroom tile. Spending time in these rooms with the reflected light could allow UV rays to bounce off of these surfaces, hitting you repeatedly. It's a good idea to stay away from these rooms during the brightest times of day, or if you have to spend a lot of time there, put on sunscreen to protect yourself or draw the curtains.

UV rays can be dangerous to all people, including those who have had skin cancer or are at a higher risk of it. Talk to a doctor if you're concerned about your skin and need to have something suspicious looking checked by a professional.

For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Heibel Dermatology.

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