When the sun's rays caress our skin, we feel good and are in a positive mood. However, a word of caution: if you spend too much time in the sun and do not protect yourself properly from UV radiation, it can backfire. Here you can read what you need to keep in mind regarding skin protection in summer.
When sunlight hits bare skin, such as on the upper arms and face, vitamin D is initially produced in our body. This so-called sunshine vitamin is important for our bone structure, the maintenance of our teeth, and the immune system. Recent studies also show that it has a positive influence on our mood. Despite these positive effects, we must protect ourselves from the sun's rays. A suitable sunscreen, depending on your skin type, protects us from sunburn and premature skin aging due to cell damage, which can even lead to skin cancer.
Often forgotten: "sun terraces" on the body
Anyone who applies sunscreen thoroughly should not forget the so-called "sun terraces" on the body. These include body parts such as the lips, the bridge of the nose, and the ears on the face; the shoulders, the décolleté, and the base of the chest on the upper body; the knee areas, the backs of the knees, and the base of the buttocks in the lower area; as well as the zone directly between the buttock muscle and the back of the thigh. We also often forget the tops of our feet and palms.
What is your skin type?
In general, there are four skin types.
Skin type 1: The Celtic type has very fair skin and many freckles. Here, the skin's own protection time is five to ten minutes. An SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 to 50+ is recommended as protection.
Skin type 2: Next is the Nordic type with fair skin, whose self-protection ends after ten to 20 minutes. For sunscreen, you should look for an SPF of 20 to 25.
Skin type 3: The mixed type can withstand the sun unprotected for up to half an hour. If you belong to the mixed type with medium-fair skin and dark blonde to brown hair, an SPF of 15 to 20 is recommended.
Skin type 4: The Mediterranean type has brownish skin and has a self-protection factor of more than 30 minutes in the sun. This skin type needs SPF 15.
Every moment counts
And then there are the eyes. Good sunglasses provide protection for the eyes. They are meant to protect the visual organ from glaring sunlight and UV radiation. UV rays can penetrate directly into the eye. Although the healthy visual organ can filter UV light, a portion of the sunlight damages the retina. Eye damage caused by unprotected sun exposure includes conjunctivitis, retinal injuries, and clouding of the cornea. The latter can lead to eye diseases such as cataracts.
Tip: When buying sunglasses, make sure that the CE mark is visible on the sunglass frame. The CE mark indicates that the sunglasses comply with EU standards.
Sunburn, now what?
If the skin has turned red while sunbathing, you have a sunburn. Now it is important to soothe the inflammation. Here are a few general tips for sunburn:
- Shade: Avoid the sun and find a shady spot immediately.
- Cooling: Cool the affected skin areas. Placing compresses with dairy products like quark and yogurt on the skin can provide relief.
- Showering: A shower or bath, ideally using only water and no shower care products, calms the skin and reduces the feeling of heat. Be careful with the water temperature; the water should not be ice cold.
- Soothing: Certain ingredients such as aloe vera, which is contained in after-sun lotions, have a soothing effect and provide the skin with moisture.
- Treatment: Special wound and sunburn ointments provide first aid for the skin. They usually contain skin-friendly minerals like zinc and iron. They help reduce swelling and promote the healing of damaged skin.
- Hydration: Ensure sufficient fluid intake. Due to the sunburn, the body has lost a lot of fluid. Drinking replenishes the body's fluids and supports skin regeneration.
• Are you interested in nutrients that protect your skin? You will surely find something here.
