Safer Sun (I)
Part I: Exogenous sun protection - shade, clothing & sunscreen
By Dr. Huong Nguyen | Editor: Dr. Sabine Nunius | June 30, 2022
We're in the midst of the summer heat. Many of us are enjoying vacations by the sea, spending afternoons in our own gardens, by the lake... To ensure your skin stays healthy throughout the summer despite all the activities, you need the right sun protection. I advocate that we apply adequate sunscreen ALWAYS, DAILY – at least during the warmer months.
PHOTOAGING - PRIMARY CAUSE OF AGING
Most of us are now very aware of the risk of skin cancer caused by excessive sun exposure or even sunburn. The number of cases continues to rise, and more and more young people are affected. This alone is reason enough to take a closer look at sun protection and address it consciously.
Protection from UV radiation is also essential to prevent premature skin aging. UV rays are the number one trigger and accelerator among external skin aging factors. They damage DNA and proteins, destroying the elastic connective tissue of the dermis, thereby robbing your skin of elasticity, tone, and volume. Wrinkle formation and uneven pigmentation are accelerated. Fortunately, you can specifically counteract this development. Just a few small hacks can help you protect your skin simply yet effectively. This way, you can be a carefree but conscious sun worshipper!
EXOGENIC SUN PROTECTION: SHADE, CLOTHING & CREAM
Exogenous sounds high-sounding, but it simply means that you rely on external aids for sun protection. Sunscreen products aren't enough, though. Rather, we need to put together a comprehensive package:
1) It sounds trivial, but it's essential for sun protection: avoid direct sunlight! At least during the most intense hours of the day, i.e., between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., you should stay in the shade or only briefly in direct sunlight. It's not without reason that "siesta" is often recommended in southern countries.
2) "Textile sun protection," meaning suitable clothing and sunglasses, is an essential measure. Especially in strong sunlight, it is advisable to keep all parts of the body covered – with clothing, hats, and even parasols.
An average white T-shirt has a UV protection factor of 10, meaning one-tenth of the sun's rays get through. Cotton and linen offer the least protection, nylon, wool, and silk offer better protection, and polyester offers the least protection. And under an umbrella? That still lets through about 50 percent of the sun's rays.
3) The classic: sunscreen. These are especially important for parts of the body that cannot be protected otherwise, especially our face, the neck and throat area, and our hands.
Sunscreens are certainly the most common form of protection in our latitudes. However, after applying them, we run the risk of feeling safe and enjoying the sun too carelessly. Of all the exogenous measures mentioned, sunscreens offer the least level of protection. Therefore, they are not sufficient as a standalone measure. Furthermore, the application plays a crucial role. I'll cover how to achieve the full protective effect of your sunscreen and what else you can do to give your skin a complete sunscreening program in Part 2 of our Safer Sun series!