Sun-tan

In the summer euphoria, we often forget about the pitfalls of the outside environment and the power of the sun's rays. So, let's take a little reminder of how very negative UV radiation can affect the health of our skin. Let us repeat what we have known for a long time and what is being talked about all the time.

Why is it recommended to protect from sunlight? What can it cause us?
                                                                                                                                                                            
Premature aging: sun damage is the most common cause of premature skin aging.
Collagen breakdown: UV radiation causes collagen to break down in the skin, which over time manifests itself as its hanging and general weakening.
Dehydration: heat and sunny weather affect sweating, and thus the evaporation of water not only from the surface but also from the deeper layers of the skin. We start to suffer from dehydrated, dry skin and unpleasant feelings of tension on the face.
Pigment irregularities: UV rays damage cells and their even melanin production.
Skin cancer risk: Any disproportionate tanning that results in skin burns disrupts the cells, causes permanent damage, and can increase the risk of cancer.

These are all serious reasons why we should think about skin protection. As UV radiation also works on cloudy days, we should include sunscreen creams in our daily care all year round. With increasing rays during the summer, it is necessary to intensify the care, increase the protection factor or. choose a waterproof product.
What should we consider? When choosing a product, we take into account the phototype of the skin and the length of stay spent directly in the sun. The environment, altitude, water areas also fundamentally affect the parameters that a properly chosen sunscreen should have. By a suitable choice of UVA and UVB filter, we can eliminate the negative impact of UV radiation on the quality and health of the skin, tan healthily and evenly, without unnecessary burns and scalding. We do not normally even notice UVA radiation, but it also affects us on cloudy days, when we feel "safe". Its consequences are all the more insidious. It causes unwanted premature skin aging, dreaded pigment spots, allergies and other skin problems, including cancer. Unlike We are exposed to UVA, UVB radiation in sunny weather, it does not affect us during cloudy weather or through glass, but it is responsible for tanning and painful skin burns, which burn skin cells, which can provoke various adverse skin reactions over time.

So what is the SPF that we have to take into account?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) means "sun protection", but determines the time during which the skin is protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun and UV radiation.
It is important to know your skin phototype and choose the SPF accordingly.

Phototype I. - This includes albino people with a lack of melanin in the skin and hair. The eyes are pigment less, reddish. Their skin in the sun always turns red and never darkens. They have no protection from sunlight and can suffer very severe burns.
Recommended protective in SR 30
Recommended factor by the sea:
Skin protection time: up to 5 minutes. The child too.
 
Phototype II. - This includes people with very fair skin, mostly strewn with freckles and light or red hair. The eyes are bright (for example green). In the sun, they are usually always red, burn quickly and then flake off. They seldom darken.
Recommended protection factor: 25 - 40.
Skin protection time: 5-10 minutes.

Phototype III. - Includes people with fair skin tones. They usually have light brown hair and blue eyes. In the sun, the skin occasionally turns red and darkens well. Recommended protection factor: 10 - 25.
Skin protection time: 10-15 minutes.

Phototype IV. - Captures oriental and Mediterranean types with slightly brown skin, dark hair and brown eyes. In the sun, the skin never reddens and always darkens.
Recommended protection factor: 6 - 20.
Skin protection time: 15-30 minutes.

Phototype V. - This includes blacks, African, sub-Saharan types with dark skin colour and black-brown eyes. The skin in the sun never turns red and always turns very brown.
Recommended protection factor: 2 - 6.
Skin protection time: 30-40 minutes.

So how to calculate correctly, how often is it necessary to paint which phototype?

Time of self-protection of the skin X protection factor sunscreen = the time during which your skin will be protected in the sun.

E.g. Phototype II: 5-10 minutes
SPF: 30
5 minutes * 30 SPF = 150 minutes

Chemical filter or mineral (physical) filter, what is the difference between them?
Filters are substances that protect us from burning. While the chemical filter relies on the effectiveness of various chemical compounds and begins to act 20-30 minutes after application to the skin, the physical filter relies on only two components. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflect radiation from the skin surface and thus prevent damage. They work immediately after application and do not irritate sensitive skin, they are also suitable for allergy sufferers, although they sometimes leave a harmless white coating on the skin. Often, both filters tend to be combined, making the sunscreen more reliable.

What principles of staying in the sun should we follow?
As we mentioned, UV radiation affects us daily, outside and inside the window. None of us crave pigment spots, aged or burnt skin, so it is necessary to use sunscreen really every day. Apply the products, especially those that contain only a chemical filter, at least 20-30 minutes before exposure to UV radiation. Make sure that the sunscreen is applied evenly and in sufficient quantity. Regularly renew its protective layer on average every 2 hours or immediately after bathing. Avoid the scorching sun at noon between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Let's not expose small children to direct sunlight.
We will not forget to protect ourselves with sunglasses and a head covering.

We usually end our stay in the sun with a cleansing shower, but let's not just stay with it. Let's not forget to thoroughly cleanse the skin, soothe and hydrate it .... But about that next time…