The Science of Shades

Sunglasses as we all know are the ultimate fashion accessory and can provide that little extra oomph to any outfit. However, sunglasses were initially invented with the purpose of acting as a protection to the eyes from sun damage. Luckily they look fantastic and therefore combine fashion with function, but how do sunglasses actually protect the eyes and should this influence our choice in purchase?

Sunglasses help you in two important ways. They filter light and they protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. Evidence concludes that exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes which ultimately can lead to cataracts, or even skin cancer around the eyelids. Ideally, if you are aiming to invest in a good pair, you should opt for sunglasses which reduce glare, filter out 99-100% of UV rays, protect the eyes and of course, are comfortable to wear.

Some of the best brands of sunglasses for sun protection include Oakley and Ray Ban (and Ray Ban Juniors for children) which effectively shield the eyes from UV light. The sportier brands tend to be more effective as they are designed for those who are intending to spend a long length of time in the sun.

However, that is not to say that the trendy sunglasses styles do not serve purpose. A major consequence of too much exposure to the sun from a beauty perspective is that it increases the ageing process thus causing…dare I say it… the dreaded wrinkles. Oversized Jackie O shades have been a huge sunglasses trend which is definitely set to continue. Not only do they look fantastic and hide a multitude of sins but they also provide great protection for the eyes. They conceal more of the eye area than regular sunglasses and therefore actively help protect against sun damage. So you see, those oversized Gucci’s I was intending on buying are not for fashion purposes at all……