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The use of titanium sunscreen to block the damaging effects of UV rays
This is the most refractive material known to man so far. It means it absorbs the highest quantities of UVA and UVB radiation, dispersing it in its own microstructure and generating energy in the process. There are a many other UV-blockers that have been used before titanium based sunscreen was released to consumer markets. They can be found in those products described as “chemical”. They are more or less likely to do the job they were designed for. There are some critical differences. Titanium dioxide has a great resistance itself to the damaging action of UV rays. You may have noticed that all sunscreens have a prescribed time period of effectiveness. The components of sunscreens themselves, while acting as an UV-barrier to your skin, are subjected directly to UV exposure. They begin changing their structure and properties as soon as the sunscreen is applied, ultimately losing the capacity of blocking the UV radiation. This destructive reaction caused by the sun exposure is not going to happen with a titanium dioxide based sunscreen. Well, it does happen, but after a much longer period of time. Particles of metal contained in titanium dioxide sunscreen are much less likely to be absorbed by your skin and body, reducing the risks of potential dangerous interaction with your cells. Several studies have shown that applied titanium sunscreens generate a film-like layer at the surface of the skin and absorption rates are practically inexistent on healthy skin. This is always good, as the general choice is to reduce your overall exposure to chemical elements, in order to avoid unknown medical hazardous effects. There is currently a strong debate ongoing regarding the use of titanium nanoparticles in producing sunscreens and other cosmetic products. These are very small chunks of titanium oxide molecules - nanoparticled (under 100 nanometers) or micronized versions (over 100 nanometers). They were developed in order to reduce the overall white opaque appearance of titanium sunscreen, which could look quite funny on a darker complexion. The result would be a more translucent, discrete film, rather than a striking white face. However the UV-blocking efficiency is affected by the particle size and these nanoparticles do seem to have the ability to penetrate human skin. But this is still strongly controversial and has not been scientifically proven yet. The choice is up to you. If you really like the safe side, choose a nano-free titanium sunscreen. If you don’t want your stunning presence on the beach to be affected by an opaque white layer of sunscreen, go with the nano. Anyway, you’ll be better off than with a chemical solution, and you should already know by now, titanium is virtually allergy free. Return from Titanium sunscreen to Titanium dioxide Return to Titanium Home Page
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