How Does Elevation Affect Skin?
UVA rays are the group of light rays that are the main cause of premature aging of the skin. They cause wrinkles, age spots, and the loss of elasticity. These rays easily penetrate the ozone layer. They also penetrate through the top layer (epidermis) of the skin and deeply into the dermis. Together with UVB rays, they cause real damage, killing skin cells, dilating blood vessels to produce a reddish skin or sunburn and destroying the vitamins in the skin causing the connective tissue to be destroyed. The UVA rays also stimulate melanin but more slowly and safely. UVA rays are more pervasive than UVB rays, and penetrate glass and other barriers. Thus, on a long sunny drive, the side of the body nearest the car window will feel the heat and also develop some color. UVA rays are also 10 to 100 times more numerous than UVB rays. UV rays increase by 4-8 percent for every 1,000-foot elevation gain. This means the sun at 10,000 feet is at least 40 percent stronger than it is at sea level. Ch
