General information about sun protection
- Sunscreen should be applied from UV index 3-5.
- Sunscreen should not be massaged in.The more a sunscreen is rubbed and massaged in, the worse the sun protection. After a vigorous massage, the skin is almost as unprotected as without sunscreen.The reason is that the UV filter acts only on the surface of the skin and can not develop its effect in the deeper layers.
- The UV filter in a sunscreen remains durable for at least three years. However, this requires appropriate storage in the refrigerator.
- The eyes need protection against UV-A and UV-B rays from UV index 3-5.
- Wearing clothing – sun-proof top, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat – also provides additional sun protection. From UV index 8-10, WHO recommends staying in the shelter of a house between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and be sure to seek shade outside this time. Even in the shade, the previously mentioned clothing is considered essential.
Further advice
- The active ingredients from four commonly used sunscreens (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene and ecamsul) are regularly detectable in the blood after application to the skin at concentrations above 0.5 ng/dl, above which the agency considers systemic effects possible. To what extent the detection of the sunscreens in the blood can be concluded to a harmful effect, is still unclear.
- Nanoparticles of zinc oxide can hardly penetrate the skin. Thus, sunscreens with such particles are unlikely to pose a safety risk.
Sun protection must begin at a young age
An hour in the sun is much more dangerous for a child than for an adult. Attention!Babies up to six months of age have virtually no endogenous protection and therefore should not be exposed to direct sunlight. For children, you should not use sunscreens with a sun protection factor below 15.Dermatologists are convinced: sun protection is a hundred times more important for the skin than anything else – especially for teenagers, because their skin is much more sensitive to sun damage than older people. Approximately 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs before the age of 20 and shows up in the form of wrinkles and age spots as they get older.
Men have a higher risk of skin cancer than women
According to a study conducted by Ohio State University in Columbus, men are three times more likely to develop skin cancer than women. The scientists found that men’s skin has fewer antioxidants, resulting in less skin cancer protection. Extra sun protection is often necessary:
- Whenever the air is thinner or hotter (mountains, equator).
- During the peak hours of the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, UV-B radiation is the strongest. Therefore, do not go into the sun while it is at its zenith. Your skin will then namely not brown, but red.
- Near anything that reflects the sun such as snow, water and sand.
- On vulnerable areas such as lips, ears, eyes and the back of the knees.
- On areas such as the nose, shoulders and hands – the so-called “sun terraces”.
- In the mountains. The intensity of sunburn-producing UV-B rays increases by 4% per 400 meters of altitude, so at 2,000 meters it is 20% stronger than at sea level. Therefore, in the mountains, use a sunscreen with a high protection factor (> 30).
- On depilated or shaved skin. This should not be immediately exposed to the sun, as it is particularly sensitive and it can quickly redden.
Protection from UV-A rays that accelerate skin aging is always necessary.
The eyes need special sun protection
UV-A and UV-B rays can cause long-term cataracts (cataracts), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) and even retinopathy (retinal disease). Only glasses with UV filters of the standard UV protection 400 offer help. Attention!Every pair of sunglasses and also every other glasses should have UV protection 400 (US standard) and blue attenuation (400-500 nm) circa 95 %. In Europe, however, “100% UV protection” is already valid at 380 nm, although the eye lens still absorbs 78% of the UV radiation in this range! For more information, see “Eyes and sun protection” below.Also note that even when the sky is overcast, circa 95% of UV rays penetrate through the clouds.Use a sun blocker for the eye area and makeup with mechanical sun blocker.
Skin care after sunbathing
After sunbathing, the skin needs special care, because the sun has dried out and irritated the skin. Different cosmetic companies offer different products for this purpose. Thus, there are soothing and repairing aftersun balms, as well as soothing and moisturizing aftersun milk products.Attention!If you are prone to allergies, the aftersun products should be thoroughly washed off before the next sunbath. Oil- and emulsifier-free aftersun products are most beneficial, as they wash off best.
