SUNBATHING - LET'S MAKE THE BEST OF THE SUN

The beneficial effect of the sun on our body, mind and spirit is undeniable. Sunlight stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D, necessary for strengthening the bone system and many vital processes in the body. The sun is the keeper of a good mood, because our body's ability to produce serotonin ("the hormone of happiness") is directly influenced by the sun's rays. However, in cases of excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun, it ceases to be a friend of our skin and can cause immediate (burns, allergies) and late (accelerated skin aging, dark spots, keratoses, tumors) consequences. That is why it is important to implement preventive measures and determine the dose of socializing with the sun, which will allow us to get the best from it and protect ourselves from the consequences.

Skin protection

It is very important to follow preventive measures and to protect the skin from the inside. Allies in preparing the skin for tanning are natural pigments - carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lycopene, so carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, beets or apricots. Thanks to the carotenoids they contain, these foods should be included in the diet when exposing the skin to the sunlight.

There are also dietary supplements that contain carotenoids as an active ingredients and which can be useful in protecting the skin from the inside.

Exposure to the sun should be avoided in the period from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A hat, sunglasses with UV protection, light, thin materials that cover most of the body, are not just fashion accessories, but contribute to the overall protection of the body.

Sunlight contains UVB rays, responsible for redness and burns, and UVA rays, the main causes of skin aging and initiators of changes that can lead to skin cancer. Awareness of the consequences leads to more responsible behavior in the sun. The main shield against harmful radiation is preparations in the form of creams, milk, lotions that have UVA and UVB filters. The degree of protection they provide is indicated by the SPF factor. The SPF factor shows how long we can stay in the sun before the first redness appears, compared to the time without any protection. The level of SPF protection you need depends on your skin type and the amount of radiation you are exposed to.

Today, there are a great number of products on the market designed to protect the skin from the sun and adapted to the individual needs of each person. In addition to the degree of protection, these products also differ in composition. There are products adapted to oily skin, acne-prone skin, dry skin, skin that reacts violently to the touch of the sun's rays and allergies occur. If you are using certain medications, you should know that some of them can be photosensitive and cause spots to appear, which requires the application of a high protection factor. In addition to the right choice, it is very important to apply sunscreen products adequately.

The sunscreen preparation should be applied 30 minutes before exposure to the sun, then 15-20 minutes after the sunbathing begins, and every two to three hours. The application of the cream must be repeated more often, if you are in the water, or you sweat intensely. It is also important to cover all parts of the skin, while not forgetting to protect the ears, lips, feet, and area under the eyes. 

It is essential to apply an adequate amount of sunscreen, about 2 mg of product per 1 cm² of skin, which includes about six teaspoons per the body of an average adult.

There is a so-called the "rule of nines", where the human body is imaginary divided into 11 parts (each part makes up about 9% of the total skin surface) and an amount of product is applied to each part that covers two lines from the beginning to the tip of the finger. With these tips on adequate application, we will use the maximum protection from the antisolar product. Otherwise, we will have a false sense of security with the risk of burns.
If burns do occur, cool the skin by showering with cold water or using cold compresses; drink as much liquid as possible; apply products based on fish oil, aloe, panthenol or calendula, in order to allow the skin to regenerate as soon as possible.