Unprotected sun exposure is one of the most preventable risk factors for skin cancers. Especially sunburns in childhood and adolescence are very risky in terms of skin cancers that may develop in the future. Many diseases such as skin aging, spots and skin cancer can be caused by mistakes made in the summer. It is important to take advantage of the sun properly by protecting it from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
In protecting from the sun, we should take care to avoid the sun, especially between the hours of 10:00-14:00, when the sunlight is the steepest. It should always be preferred to stay in the shade when we are outside. Not only in clear and sunny weather, but also in cloudy and cloudy days, 80% of ultraviolet (UV) rays reach the earth’s surface. It should be noted that normal window glass does not pass UVB, but does not prevent the penetration of UVA rays.
Sun rays consist of UVA and UVB rays. Both UV rays cause breaks in the DNA of our skin, triggering the formation of skin cancer and accelerating skin aging. UVA rays are the rays that reach the earth in all seasons and enable us to tan. UVB rays, on the other hand, are the rays that appear more intensely especially in summer and are responsible for the formation of redness and burns on the skin. While choosing a sunscreen cream, we should take care that the cream protects from both UVB and UVA rays.
The sunscreen SPF protection factor value is very important. While SPF 15 protects our skin from the sun’s rays by 93%, SPF 30 protects it by 97% and SPF 50 by 98%. We should take care that sunscreen creams contain at least SPF 15 protection factor.
Sunscreens are of two types in terms of effectiveness: Physical and chemical preservatives. Physical preservatives include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These substances protect the skin by reflecting UV rays. Chemical preservatives contain various organic chemicals. These protectors absorb UV rays and protect the skin. Physical protectors should be preferred for those with allergies, infants and children.
The fear that the use of sunscreen will interfere with the synthesis of vitamin D has caused patients to avoid sun protection. However, only 10-20 minutes of daily exposure of the face and back of the hands to the sun provides the highest vitamin D production, even if regular sunscreen is used.
While choosing sunscreen creams, we should choose the cream that best suits our skin type. Especially those with oily skin should prefer sunscreens in liquid or gel form, and those with dry skin should prefer sunscreens in cream form. Otherwise, those with oily skin may experience increased acne, and those with dry skin may experience increased dryness. Those who have spots on the skin can choose creams with a concealer form when choosing a sunscreen cream. In this way, they can both benefit from the protective effect of sunscreen cream and prevent the appearance of spots on the skin.
It is very important to use sunscreen cream correctly: sunscreen should be applied at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun. If you will always be in a sunny environment afterwards, the cream should be reapplied every 2 hours. While by the sea; Sunscreen cream should be reapplied after each swimming or swimming pool. After sunscreen has dried, it should be applied to non-wet skin.
If there is any treatment cream or moisturizing cream that we use on our skin, we should apply these creams first. Our sunscreen cream, on the other hand, should be applied 15 minutes before going out, waiting at least 5 minutes between other creams.
If you have not opened the package of sunscreen products, they should be consumed within 3 years. If you have opened the creams or lotions that you have stored under suitable conditions, we must consume them in the next year at the latest. In addition, we should not keep the products in the car or in the beach bag under the sun, as the effects of the products will decrease with heat.
