It is time to go to the beach, to the swimming pool or simply to have a drink in a terrace and we remember the every year´s phrases regarding the sun, sun protection, after sun… but which one is true and which one is simply a myth? Today we are going to try to help you to solve some doubts, let´s begin!
1- A tanned skin is a healthy skin
This is…FALSE. Tanning is precisely the skin’s way of protecting itself from solar radiation. When UV rays hit us, melanin (which is the main natural pigment we have in our epidermis), absorbs them, and thus prevents them from causing us harm. As a consequence, this pigment darkens and is what we call tan skin.
2- I have to apply the sunscreen every two hours, even if I do not bathe
This is… TRUE. Sunscreens lose their effectiveness when they are exposed to sunlight, which is why they need to be reapplied from time to time.
3- I can use the same cream on the face as on the body
This is… FALSE. The skin of the body has a different composition than that of the face, for this reason we must use specific creams for each area of our body. Also, in the face we look for more things like avoiding the loss of firmness or the appearance of wrinkles.
4- I must avoid exposing myself to the sun between 12:00 and 16:00
This is… TRUE. These are the hours when solar radiation has the strongest effect, therefore, as far as possible, we should avoid sun exposure.
5- If I use a high sun protection factor, I will not get a tan
This is…FALSE. By using a high SPF, we will get a more gradual, healthier, and longer lasting tan, but it does not affect the amount of melanin in the skin.
6- The amount of sunscreen I should put on my body is about 6 teaspoons
This is… TRUE. Almost everyone applies less than the recommended amount to make the level of protection indicated on the package effective.
7- I can use my normal body moisturizer as an after-sun
This is… FALSE. Specific after-sun creams have specific ingredients to soothe and repair the skin after a day in the sun. In addition, we should keep in mind that a beautiful tan not only depends on how we sunbathe, but also on the treatment we give our skin afterwards.
8- Children’s skin is more vulnerable than that of adults
This is… TRUE. Children have thinner skin and it is not as ready to make melanin, so it is more sensitive to solar radiation. For this reason, children should always use a protective cream according to their age.
9- Now that I have got my colour, I do not need to protect myself from the sun
This is… FALSE. It is true that the darker the skin, the better the skin is defending itself against the aggression that is the sun, but this is not enough protection, whether it is the first day of exposure to the sun or if we are already dying we must protect ourselves.
10- The sun can produce skin cancer
This is… TRUE. It is the main risk factor involved in their appearance. The solar radiation is able to mutate the DNA of the epithelial cells and prevent their repair, thus developing skin cancer.
11- I have to apply the protection at the moment of exposing myself to the sun
This is… FALSE. The correct application of the sunscreen is about 20-30 minutes before exposure so that the organic filters are well seated on the skin and perform their function correctly.
12- The sun produces a premature aging of the skin
This is… TRUE. The solar radiations produce free radicals and alter both the DNA and the membrane of the cells producing less collagen and elastin, as a consequence we will have thinner, dehydrated, flaccid and wrinkled skin.
13- If it is cloudy, I do not need sun protection
This is… FALSE. UVA radiation is present every day regardless of how cloudy the sky is, these are responsible for skin aging so we must use protection throughout the year.
If you are one of those who ask yourself these or other questions every summer and you have any doubts, leave us your comment and we will solve it, in the meantime, enjoy the sun!
