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What is UV400 protection? All you need to know

UV400 protection

We always hear about UV400 protection. But ... we really know what it is about? At present it is likely that we spend a lot of time exposed to the sun, and this entails certain risks that we can avoid. Doing outdoor activities is good, but it is advisable to take certain precautions. This means that, just as we protect our skin, we must be very careful with the eyes.

Next I want to talk about UV400 protection in sunglasses.

What does UV400 protection mean?

UV400 sunglasses protection is a filter that completely protects you from UV (ultra violet) rays, including UVA and UVB rays. The protection must be 99 to 100% in order to be designated in this way. This means that the lens of your glasses will have the ability to block any UV beam with a wavelength of less than 400 nanometers.

There are three main types of UV rays:

  • UVA rays age skin cells and can damage the DNA of these cells. These rays are associated with long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also considered to play a role in some types of cancer. Most tanning beds emit large amounts of UVA that have been found to increase the risk of skin cancer.
  • UVB rays have a little more energy than UVA rays. These rays can directly damage the DNA of skin cells, and they are the main rays that cause sunburn. It is also believed to cause most skin cancers.
  • UVC rays have more energy than other types of UV rays, but they do not penetrate our atmosphere and are not in sunlight. They are not normally a cause of skin cancer.

Important right? This filter - which we know as UV400 protection - is what you have to look for whenever you buy new sunglasses, in order to obtain the necessary protection. To achieve this, we recommend that you always buy your glasses in specialized optics or with the corresponding medical guarantee. Try to avoid doing it in beach bars or in places where you do not know the reliability.

The risk of not protecting ourselves

If we think about the skin, we know that excessive and unprotected exposure to UV rays favors the appearance of skin cancer. On the other hand, for the eyes the effect is not better, and it is that a lack of care can end up in cataracts or macular degeneration, among other problems. Also, the skin around the eyes can also be affected. And we have already touched on another article.

The difference with polarized glasses

Sometimes there may be confusion between lenses that offer UV400 protection and others that are polarized. You must keep in mind that they are two independent things. The protection in UV400 sunglasses what it does is protect you from UV rays, while polarized glasses eliminate sun glare.

The latter provide better visibility, but that does not mean they protect you more. In fact, polarized glasses can, and should, offer UV400 protection. Is not always that way.

So ... which one protects the most?

If we talk about the perception of light, you have to choose the category according to your needs. Similarly, polarized sunglasses will be more comfortable to eliminate the reflections of the sun. However, as I said, this has nothing to do with UV400 protection.

Any lens that filters at least 99% of UV rays can be labeled as UV400. This is independent of its category in terms of light filter and its color. Therefore, it is a requirement that you must demand both if you buy glasses with the clearest lenses and if you buy a category 4.

Always keep in mind that UV rays are as harmful to the eyes as they are to the skin. Therefore, just as you use cream with a protection factor, you must use properly approved sunglasses. In short, always check that they offer UV400 protection and have the CE mark. This badge confirms that they comply with the standards set by the European Union.

Do you need sunglasses on the top of fashion and with UV400 protection? Visit our collection here and take the one you like best.

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