This is how sun protection works
Correct sun protection is the healthy balance between too much and too little sun exposure. Sunscreen, clothing, sunglasses, and shade can help. On this page you will find an overview of how you can consciously deal with the sun and enjoy it.
sunscreen
A lot helps a lot is not always the best advice. When it comes to sun protection, most people actually use too little. For example, sunscreen product manufacturers assume that you apply two milligrams of cream per centimeter of skin. Nobody does that. LSV 50 quickly turns to 30. In addition: While we put on plenty of lotion on vacation on the beach, at the lake or in the swimming pool, we often do without sun protection products in everyday life. The UV rays are not suddenly gone just because we are no longer lounging in the sun.
The longer we stay in the sun, the more its rays have an effect on our skin. Our body can deal with some of the UV rays on its own. We can tell when our skin tans. But that doesn't last very long. If we exceed the threshold of self-protection, our skin burns. And it doesn't matter whether we are outside for five hours with a lower UV index or half an hour with a very high UVI.
With a view to the sun protection factor of the sun protection product, we have to re-cream regularly and plan times when we treat our skin to a break in the shade or with appropriate clothing. It is also important to make sure that the sun protection of our choice covers both UVA and UVB radiation.
Caution: The sun's rays are more intense when we are near water, sand or snow. Salt and water, not only sea water, but also sweat, weaken the effect of sun protection products. Athletes should therefore be particularly careful.
shadow
When in the day am I exposed to what kind of sun exposure? The experts give the roughly noon and early afternoon time. This is where the sun shines most strongly. There is a rule of thumb that can help if precise information is not available:
If the shadow you are casting is larger than you are, the sun exposure is rather low. This is the case in the early morning and late afternoon.
If the shadow you cast is smaller, the sun is currently affecting you at its maximum daytime intensity.
clothing
An important part of good sun protection is clothing that is adapted to the situation. For example, if you have strong UV radiation, make sure you cover at least your shoulders and head. The thicker the fabric, the higher the sun protection factor of the clothing.
Sunglasses or sun hat?
What about sun protection for the eyes, anyway? Dark glasses with a sun protection factor are our must-haves in summer. But ophthalmologists advise caution. The glasses help us to see better in bright light, but they also ensure that our eyes think that it is not bright at all. The natural reaction: The pupils dilate and let in more light and thus more UV radiation the eyes.
If we take off our glasses, we give our eyes a full load of radiation and thus endanger our eyesight. It is better to wear wide-brimmed hats that keep the eyes and areas of the face in shadow. Or to combine both.
Further reading:
Sources:
- World Health Organization (Frequently Asked Questions): https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/protecting-oneself-from-skin-cancer
