Sun exposure has increased in recent years, and applying sunscreen is more important than it used to be. Do you know a lot about sunscreens?
Anyone who does not apply sunscreen before sunbathing not only runs the risk of severe sunburn but also plays with the risk of suffering long-term damage that only becomes apparent over time – such as severe and too rapid skin aging and skin cancer.
But you probably already knew that, didn’t you!?
However, the following interview with a dermatologist provides you with a few more facts about sun protection that you probably didn’t know about until now.
When Does It Make Sense To Apply Lotion?
“It can make sense to put on sunscreen even if you’re only on the bike for a few minutes on the way to work or on a short lunch break in the fresh air. Because depending on skin type and sun intensity, even 15-20 minutes in the sun can lead to burns. The intensity of the sun can be seen from the UV index. This is easy to find out on the Internet for your location and is updated daily
How Long Can I Stay In The Sun With Lotion On?
“Of course, that depends on the sun protection factor. The factor indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun compared to unprotected if you don’t have sunscreen.
So if you can generally stay in the sun for 15 minutes without getting burned and then apply SPF 15, you can theoretically stay in the sun for about 3.75 hours afterwards.
However, that’s just the theory. In practice, no sunscreen achieves the specified values. The value drops further as a result of sweating and even slight abrasions. In principle, one can therefore assume that a sunscreen product only achieves half of the factor stated on the packaging.”
“Waterproof” – Can I Rely On It?
“With waterproof sunscreens, the UV protection is retained mainly after bathing. But here, the UV protection is significantly reduced after just 10 minutes in the water. Saltwater dissolves it even faster than freshwater.
By the way: If the packaging says “water-resistant“, it means that the UV protection in the water lasts longer than with conventional products but significantly shorter than if the product is declared “water-resistant”.
How Much Sunscreen Do I Need?
“Say a teaspoon for the face and neck and at least a good tablespoon for the rest of the body. So a pack of sunscreen is used up quickly.”
Difference Between Chemical And Mineral UV Filters?
“Chemical UV protection filters in sunscreen products break down UV radiation via a chemical reaction on the skin. Even if there is no evidence yet, they are criticized for having potentially harmful side effects on the human organism.
On the other hand, Mineral UV filters repel UV radiation through reflection. As a result, they are often a bit harder in consistency and look a bit whitish on the skin.”
Can I Still Use Last Year’s Sunscreen?
“Sunscreen products that have passed their use-by date should no longer be used because the UV protection filters decompose over time. This not only means that adequate sun protection is no longer provided – the degradation products that are produced during the decomposition process are also suspected of being harmful to humans.
Sun creams from last year that have already been used should therefore no longer be used under any circumstances.”
Also Read: Seven Tricks To Get Rid Of Dark Spots On Your Skin Naturally
