- What is skin?
- The three layers of the skin
- What type of skin do you have based on sun sensitivity?
- What is sunscreen?
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
- Ultraviolet Radiation
- What are UVA rays?
- What are UVB rays?
- What is UVC radiation?
- How many types of sunscreen are there?
- What is Physical Sunscreen?
- What is Chemical Sunscreen?
- What Are the Differences Between Physical and Chemical Sunscreens?
- Sunscreen spray
- Sunscreen Stick
- Recommendations for Choosing your Sunscreen
- The importance of Sunscreen
- Conclusion
While summer brings intense sunlight, our skin faces UV radiation year-round, even on cloudy days or in colder seasons. Understanding the importance of daily sunscreen application goes beyond preventing sunburn; it’s about safeguarding our skin’s health and beauty for the long term. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into why sunscreen is essential throughout the year, how different skin types react to sunlight, the types of sunscreen available, and practical tips for effective sun protection. Join us as we explore the vital steps to protect your skin every day of the year.
What is skin?
The skin is much more than the layer that covers our entire body: it is an organ – the largest in humans – primarily responsible for protecting us from all external agents that may be harmful to us, such as chemical elements, radiation, infections, etc. In addition to this important protective function, the skin regulates body temperature and water loss, allows the synthesis of vitamin D, and provides us with a sense of touch.
The three layers of the skin
Epidermis: outer layer of the skin, composed primarily of keratinocytes. It is in a perpetual process of peeling and regeneration. The epidermis is responsible for acting as a protective barrier against harmful external agents and preventing the loss of fluids from our body.
Dermis: middle layer, largely composed of collagen and elastin, two components that play a fundamental role in the elasticity characteristic of the skin.
Hypodermis: The innermost layer of the skin. It stores fat that protects the body from external bruises and helps regulate body temperature.
What type of skin do you have based on sun sensitivity?
Skin types, depending on their tone, are grouped into six groups or phototypes, depending on their tone: the palest ones (I and II) have a higher risk of skin cancer and are more photosensitive, while the darkest ones (V and VI) have a lower risk, which does not mean that they should not protect themselves.
Skin type I
If you never tan and often get sunburned, you probably have this skin type. Use a good sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 50 or higher, as your skin is more vulnerable to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. What’s more, the best way to protect yourself from the sun is to avoid it by always seeking shade, especially during the hours of maximum ultraviolet radiation (between 12 noon and 4 p.m.)
Skin type II
This type of skin is slightly more pigmented than type I, but it is also common for it to suffer sunburn and rarely tans. Therefore, if you belong to this group, the advice is the same as in the previous case: you should use facial and body sunscreens with a high SPF and avoid the sun during the hours of greatest radiation. In this way, you will help prevent the development of skin cancer.
Skin type III
If you have this skin type, you Tan gradually, but you also sometimes get sunburned. Even though your phototype is somewhat more resistant to radiation, you are still susceptible to damage, so you should protect yourself in the same way to prevent the development of skin cancer.
Skin type IV
If your skin belongs to this group, you will tan easily and will not burn regularly. However, you are not free from risk: use facial and body sunscreen with medium protection and avoid the sun during the hours of greatest radiation. As in the previous cases, pay attention to suspicious spots on your skin and have dermatological check-ups once a year.
Skin type V
This type of skin tans easily and rarely burns. If this is your case, be sure to use sun protection, as it can prevent photoaging caused by UV-A rays. It is also important to have annual check-ups, as this type of skin can develop acral lentiginous melanoma, which usually appears in areas of the body not exposed to the sun.
Skin type VI
Skin phototype VI corresponds to people with very dark skin. Does this mean that they are not at risk of developing skin cancer? Unfortunately, no. As we have just mentioned, there are skin cancers that are more common in dark skin, which is why it is always important to follow basic recommendations such as those we see in this infographic. The Skin Cancer Foundation.
What is sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a type of skin care product that contains sunscreen ingredients that can protect the face or body from ultraviolet rays or UV rays in sunlight, which are the main cause of skin cell deterioration and skin problems such as dull face, wrinkles, freckles, dark spots, oily face, acne problems.
Sunscreen has a process of reflecting light or absorbing light to prevent light from penetrating directly into our skin. It can protect against harmful rays in sunlight, including UVA rays, UVB rays, and UVC rays. Therefore, applying sunscreen is very important in our daily life. Even when we are in the shade, we can easily receive UV rays. Sunscreen products come in many popular forms for us to choose from, such as creams, lotions, or sprays.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
It is the effectiveness of sunscreen in protecting against UVB rays, that is, how long can the sunscreen protect us? For example, normally our skin can withstand the sun for an average of 15 minutes. If longer than this, our skin will become red or burn. It also depends on the strength of the sunlight. For example, SPF 30 means that you can stay in the sun for 30 times longer without getting sunburned compared to no protection at all.
So we can see that the SPF value indicates how long it takes to burn your skin when exposed to the sun. The higher the SPF value, the longer your skin can withstand the sun, and the more expensive it will be.If we compare the SPF value with the amount of UVB radiation absorption, we find that:
SPF 15 absorbs 93.3% of UVB.
SPF 20 absorbs 95% of UVB.
SPF 30 absorbs 96.7% of UVB.
SPF 45 absorbs 97.8% of UVB.
SPF 50 absorbs 98% of UVB.
It can be seen that even though the value increases, it will have more ability to protect against UVB rays, but it is a very small amount when compared to the increasing concentration. For example, SPF 20 can absorb up to 95% of UVB rays, which is different from SPF 50, which can absorb up to 98% of UVB rays, with a difference of only 3%.
Importantly, when the substances in sunscreen are exposed to sweat, water, and of course, sunlight and other pollution, the sunscreen may deteriorate, forcing us to reapply it. And that is the risk that we may be allergic to the stickiness of sunscreen from a sunscreen with a very high value.
Ultraviolet Radiation
UV rays, also known as ultraviolet (UV) rays, are one of the energies that come from the sun and affect humans and other living things on our planet. UV rays are divided into three main types: UVA, UVB, and UVC, each with different properties and effects.
What are UVA rays?
UVA rays are rays that come with sunlight with a wavelength between 320 and 400 nm. The sunlight that shines on our planet contains up to 95% UVA rays. This type of radiation can penetrate through glass. Some people think that even if we are inside a building, we will be able to protect ourselves from the sun and not be directly exposed to sunlight, and we will be able to avoid UVA. This is very wrong.
It can enter the deep layers of our skin. This layer consists of collagen and elastic, which can cause wrinkles on our skin quite easily, premature aging, and dark spots. Importantly, it can also be a cause and factor in the development of skin cancer. Are you starting to see the importance of sunscreen?
What are UVB rays?
UVB rays, it is similar to UVA rays, which are sent with the sunlight that shines into our world. But the difference is that this type of radiation has only 5%, with a wavelength of 290 to 320 nm. Although the property of damaging the skin of this type of radiation cannot penetrate as deeply as UVA, it is still a villain if you do not apply sunscreen because it can cause your skin to burn, including freckles, melasma, and dark spots. If there is no sunscreen, it is easy for black or dark-skinned people.
What is UVC radiation?
It is a type of radiation that most people may not be familiar with. UVC rays have a wavelength of 100 – 280 nm. It is the type of radiation with the highest energy, more than UVA and UVB. Fortunately, we hardly ever encounter it because UVC rays are almost completely absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer.
How many types of sunscreen are there?
Whether it is a facial sunscreen or a body sunscreen, there may be different properties depending on the type of use, according to the texture, Sunscreen is usually divided into 2(Two) main types:
What is Physical Sunscreen?
Physical sunscreens are also known as mineral sunscreens. These creams, which contain mineral-based ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are reflective for the skin against the sun and act as protective armor. Since these creams are not absorbed by the skin, they form a protective layer on the skin. Thus, these creams produced by physical sunscreen brands reflect the harmful rays from the sun.
What is Chemical Sunscreen?
Chemical sunscreen blocks the harmful effects of sun rays on the skin with its special content. This process is chemical. In other words, these protectors absorbed by the skin prevent the general harmful rays from the sun in this way. Chemical sunscreens have a light structure. Chemical sunscreens are cosmetic products formulated to protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV rays. These substances can be used in different proportions depending on the SPF value and protection level of the sunscreen. The content of such sunscreens usually includes the following ingredients:
- Oxybenzone: It is a chemical filter material that is effective against UVB and UVA rays.
- Avobenzone: Another filter substance that provides protection against UVA rays.
- Octocrylene: It is an organic compound with sunscreen properties and is effective against UVB rays.
- Padimate O: It is a chemical ingredient generally used to increase the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) value.
- Parsol 1789 (avobenzone): Another chemical filter that protects against UVA rays.
- Aminomethyl Propanol: It is a substance used as a pH regulator in the cream formula and increases the stability of the product.
- Benzophenone-3: It is a chemical filter that provides high UVB protection.
- Ethylhexyl Salicylate: It is a filter substance that provides protection against UVB rays.
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: It is a filter that provides protection against UVA rays.
What Are the Differences Between Physical and Chemical Sunscreens?
Sunscreens produced by physical and chemical sunscreen brands have different features. These features and differences are as follows:
Chemical filter sunscreen can be applied quickly. It also does not leave a white layer on the skin. According to research, chemical sunscreens protect the skin from UV rays for a longer period of time. Thanks to this feature, there is no need to renew chemical sunscreens frequently. It is important to apply these types of creams 15-20 minutes before going out in the sun.
Physical sunscreens are quickly absorbed by the skin and provide immediate protection. Therefore, there is no need to apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Thanks to its content, it can be used safely by sensitive skin and children.
Sunscreen spray
It is considered a sunscreen that is very popular for active girls who often go to the beach or do outdoor activities, whether it is sports, or shopping regularly. Simply put, it is a person who has to be exposed to the sun for a long time. Spray sunscreen is a very good choice. In addition to being easy to carry, it is also convenient to use. Just spray it all over the desired area easily.
Sunscreen Stick
It is another sunscreen that is easy to carry around because the product is small and not too big. It can be easily carried in a girl’s handbag and is also most suitable for use during the day.
Recommendations for Choosing your Sunscreen
SPF refers to the blocking of UVB radiation (sunburn), so it is important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that also protects us from UVA radiation (photoaging).
The time a person can stay in the sun without burning varies depending on the skin’s phototype and the radiation index.
You must take into account the age of the person to whom it will be applied, and choose the most suitable one for them since there are special protectors for children or mature skin.The type of use you are going to give it: is it for daily use? for the beach or the pool? for the snow or the mountains?
In any case, you will find facial and body sunscreens designed specifically for each activity. To be effective, regardless of SPF, facial and body sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before exposure and reapplied every two hours while in the sun.
Finally, we remind you that, in addition to using sunscreen, it is very important that you avoid risky behaviors, such as prolonged exposure to the sun or during the hours of greatest intensity, and that, if you have any mole or spot that makes you suspicious, you go to your doctor. We are often unaware of the risks of sun exposure, which is why the AECC has made this test available to us, allowing us to assess whether we are protecting ourselves from the sun daily.
The importance of Sunscreen
Facial skin is an indicator of our health and, in addition, its appearance can influence our self-esteem, since the face is the most visible and exposed part of our body. This also makes it the most prone to being attacked by external agents, which is why we have to put special effort into its care.
It is very important to use facial sunscreen every day since the skin of the face is almost continuously exposed to the sun and direct UV rays. In addition, the thickness of the skin in this area of the body is thinner, which makes it more fragile and vulnerable to solar radiation. And if the skin is exposed to UV rays for a long time, it can cause sunburn, freckles, and premature wrinkles. Therefore, we need to protect our skin from UV rays by applying sunscreen lotion on our skin.
Conclusion
Protecting our skin from the sun’s harmful rays is crucial. Our skin, the body’s largest organ, performs vital functions from regulating temperature to shielding us from external threats. By understanding our skin type, choosing the right sunscreen, and applying it diligently, we can safeguard against sunburn, premature aging, and the risk of skin cancer.
Whether you have fair or dark skin, daily sunscreen use is essential to maintaining skin health and appearance. Remember, a small step like applying sunscreen can have a significant impact on lifelong skin protection. Take charge of your skin health today and enjoy the sun responsibly!
