Connect with us

STAY FRIENDLY WITH THE SUN: ALL ABOUT SUN PROTECTION

Lecturer - Istanbul Kent University, Health Services Vocational School and Faculty of Pharmacy

"Sunscreens, our shield against the harmful effects of the sun, are ready to be our skin's best friend."

GÜNEŞLE DOST KALIN: GÜNEŞ KORUYUCULAR HAKKINDA HER ŞEY

The importance of sunscreens

Skin, which has a defensive and regulatory role, is the largest organ of the human body. Its general structure consists of three main layers called epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The stratum corneum, the top layer of the epidermis, is especially involved in the skin barrier function. It ensures skin homeostasis by protecting the body against numerous external factors such as chemical, environmental and physical stress, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

UV rays, especially UVA and UVB, can damage skin cells, leading to DNA damage. Sunscreen products are used to reduce the risk of skin cancer, prevent premature aging and minimize sunburns. These products protect the skin from the harmful effects of radiation by providing protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The benefits of sunscreens can be summarized as follows:

  • Protects the skin against harmful sun rays.
  • The high radiation risk of UVA rays and the damage of UVB rays to the DNA structure containing genetics may trigger skin cancer. By preventing this situation, it minimizes the risk of skin cancer.
  • Prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines with regular use.
  • It prevents the formation of skin spots by controlling the release of melanin color pigments.
  • Prevents sunburns and reduces peeling problems.
  • It ensures that the balance of collagen and hyaluronic acid is maintained without damage. Thus, it preserves the elasticity of the skin.
  • The sun dries the skin and causes water loss. Thanks to creams, the skin barrier is strengthened and moisture balance is achieved.

Sunscreen types

Sunscreens are pided into three main categories: chemical, physical, and hybrid:

Chemical protectors

Molecules that reflect UVA/UVB rays are absorbed under the skin and provide their function. Common chemical filters include avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. Since it acts under the skin, it should be applied to the skin at least 20-30 minutes beforehand. These types of protectors usually have a lighter texture and are easily absorbed thanks to their homogeneous structure

Physical (Mineral) protectors

Reflect or scatter UVA/UVB rays by creating a barrier on the skin surface. They usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Physical protectants can often leave a thicker, whiter residue, but they are less likely to cause skin irritation and provide broad-spectrum protection. For full protection, it is recommended to renew it for a short time. Since it does not penetrate under the skin, it does not cause clogging in pores. It can be recommended for practical protection if you are going to go out into the sun quickly.

Hybrid preservatives

They contain substances that have physical as well as chemical protective properties.


What is SPF (sun protection factor)?

SPF determines the level of protection sunscreens provide against UVB rays. This factor can have a protective effect numerically between 15-50. Sunscreen with 30 SPF, 50 SPF factor is the most preferred protection. SPF 30 means your skin can stay in the sun 30 times longer without burning. The higher the number SPF value, the higher the protection of the product. However, the SPF value only indicates UVB protection. For UVA protection, care should be taken to ensure that the product is labeled as “broad spectrum”.

SPF 15: Provides 93% UVB protection.

SPF 30: Provides 97% UVB protection.

SPF 50: Provides 98% UVB protection.


Harmful effects of not using sunscreen

It results in the skin losing its bright, luminous, lively and healthy appearance. It can cause serious diseases such as eczema, vitiligo, rash, skin sensitivity, wrinkles, edema, inflammation and skin cancer.

What ingredients should not be included in sunscreens?

The amounts of chemicals in the formulation are critical to ensure that they do not harm the skin. The dosages of chemical substances such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate and octinoxate are important. The usage rate has been determined by the Food and Drug Administration as (0.5 ng/mL).

How should sunscreens be applied?

A sunscreen with at least 30 SPF should be applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to form a thin film and reapplied every two hours or after swimming/sweating. Care should be taken to apply sunscreen to often neglected areas such as the face, neck, ears, hands and feet. Different types of creams can be used for face and body. In this case, considering facial sensitivity, the product with a higher number of factors may be preferred.Regular cleansing and moisturizing is essential for your skin to stay healthy. Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle that focuses on our overall health, such as eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and exercising regularly, also affects skin health.

Critical factors in choosing sunscreen

  • Radiation exposure depending on season
  • SPF degree
  • Skin Tone
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Person's skin type and skin problems
  • Having certain diseases


Dry Skin

Sensitive skin

Perfume-free and hypoallergenic products should be chosen. Products containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are suitable for sensitive skin.

Choosing sunscreen for children

Since children's skin is more sensitive than adults, the sunscreens they will use should contain physical protectants and have a high SPF value. Products specially formulated for children often contain gentler, non-irritating ingredients. Babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight if possible.

Other sunscreen products

Sun sprays

They can be applied quickly and easily, but care should be taken when using them on the face. Application may be difficult in windy weather.

Sun lotions

They spread easily on the skin and have moisturizing properties. It has different formulas suitable for various skin types.

Sun sticks

Ideal for application to small areas, especially useful for the face, lips and ears. It is easy to carry and provides intense protection in sensitive areas.


Frequently asked questions about sunscreens

Should sunscreens be used throughout the year?

Yes, UV rays can damage your skin even on cloudy days. The use of sunscreen is recommended even in winter months and indoors.

How long does a sunscreen last?

Generally, sunscreens last 2-3 years, but pay attention to the expiration date. Expired products may lose their effectiveness.

Can sunscreen be used under make-up?

Yes, sunscreens can be used as a make-up base. Applying sunscreen before makeup protects the skin and can help makeup look smoother.

Who should use sunscreen?

Sunscreen is not recommended for children under six months of age. For babies and children over six months of age, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, appropriate to the skin pH, should be applied to all exposed skin. It is important to use sunscreen at all ages.


Additional precautions to be taken for sun protection

Although sunscreen is recommended for protection from the sun, no sunscreen provides complete protection against UV radiation.

Shade

Care should be taken to stay in the shade during the hours when the sun is most intense (10:00-16:00). Shade reduces direct contact with UV rays.

Protective Clothing

Dermatologists' recommendation; Wearing hats, sunglasses and long sleeves. These clothes create a physical barrier.

UV Protective Clothing

Specially designed UV protected clothing may be preferred. These garments are specially woven to block UV rays and usually have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) label.


Commonly known mistakes

You do not need to apply sunscreen in cloudy weather, in winter or in the snow.

Your skin is exposed to UV rays in cloudy weather, on rainy days, even in winter months, and over time, signs of photoaging begin to appear. Therefore, sunscreen should be used every day, not just during summer and sunny days. According to the information provided by experts, as snowflakes reflect sunlight, the amount of UV increases exponentially. Due to reflection, sunburn can also occur in areas such as under the chin, upper lip and neck, which are normally protected from direct light. In the following years, the person may be prone to skin cancer.

People with darker skin or those without sunburn do not need to use sunscreen.

All skin types should benefit from sunscreen. Darker skin is less likely to burn and may need less UVB protection, but darker skin is still susceptible to damage from UVA radiation. The SPF value of the sunscreen must be at least 30 and the UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) ratio must be less than 1.5. Contrary to popular belief, dark-skinned people who secrete a lot of color pigment need to use sunscreen more to prevent sunspots.

It is sufficient to apply sunscreen in small amounts once a day.

If sunscreens are not used in sufficient quantities and at the correct intervals, their effectiveness is greatly reduced.

Light colored clothes are better for sun protection.

Colors such as black, navy blue, red or dark green are better for UV protection compared to white and pastel colors. When you go on vacation, dark colored clothes should be purchased.

Using sunscreen increases excessive sun exposure and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Many experts consider this claim to be unfounded. According to research, it has not been proven that there is a link between using sunscreen and an increased risk of skin cancer. On the other hand, research shows that using sunscreen may reduce the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

The brand of the product is more important than how the sunscreen is used.

The brand of the product is less important than how you use it. In general, sunscreens that are waterproof, broad spectrum and have a sun protection factor of at least 15 should be preferred. In addition, the instructions on the sunscreen label should be followed.

Sunscreen prevents vitamin D absorption.

It may be, but there is insufficient evidence that sunscreen limits vitamin D absorption and synthesis. Most people need two to eight minutes of unprotected sun exposure to maximize vitamin D3 synthesis. In addition, adequate levels of vitamin D can be obtained from foods and beverages such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks and vitamin D fortified foods.


1.         Latha MS, et al., Sunscreening agents: a review. (2013).

2.         Ngoc LTN, et al., Recent Trends of Sunscreen Cosmetic: An Update Review. (2019).https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/6/4/64

3.         Yamada M, Mohammed Y, and Prow TW, Advances and controversies in studying sunscreen delivery and toxicity. (2020).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169409X20300077

4.         Guan LL, Lim HW, and Mohammad TF, Sunscreens and Photoaging: A Review of Current Literature. (2021).https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-021-00632-5

5.         Bhattacharjee D, et al., A comparison of Natural and Synthetic Sunscreen Agents: A Review. (2021).

6.         Gonzalez-Bravo A, et al., The Effect of Sunscreens on the Skin Barrier. (2022).https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/12/12/2083

7.            He H, et al., Natural components in sunscreens: Topical formulations with sun protection factor (SPF). (2021).http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/33360043

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111161

 

Advertisement
Is it difficult or easy to work at home?
WHAT IS URINARY TRACT INFECTION? WHAT ARE ITS SYMPTOMS? WHAT MEDICINES ARE USED IN ITS TREATMENT? WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVE HERBAL SUPPORT PRODUCTS?
DAZZLING LOOKS: EYE MAKEUP PRODUCTS, POSSIBLE HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY FOR YOUR HEALTH
WHAT IS THE CATARACT? WHAT ARE ITS SYMPTOMS AND HOW IS IT TREATED?
UNDERSTANDING THE PARAMETERS IN BLOOD TESTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH
CURIOSITIES ABOUT BONE THINNING (OSTEOPOROSIS)
SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
Hollywood Smile: The Perfect Blend of Confidence and Radiance
Overview of Health Tourism
Hair Transplantation
Alzheimer's Disease: The Most Common Type of Dementia and the Most Common Neurodegenerative Disease in the World
VITAMIN C: POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT AND IMMUNE SUPPORTER
Capvaxive: A New Weapon Added to Our Pneumococcal Vaccine Journey
What is monkeypox virus? How is it transmitted?
What is IVF?
Could The Recent Outbreak of Bird Flu Turn into A Pandemic?
Common Cold
Nutritional Drinks
TARGETED STRATEGIES FOR NANOBOT DRUG DELIVERY
A MORE PRACTICAL OPTION IN ANAPHYLAXIS: NEFFY NASAL SPRAY
STAY FRIENDLY WITH THE SUN: ALL ABOUT SUN PROTECTION
Proper Use of Food Supplements
Black Elderberry
Atherosclerosis
Hypertension
Healthy Pregnancy
Child Health
Probiotics
African Geranium
Biomaterials in Neural Tissue Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Everything You Need To Know About Epilepsy
Nanofibres
Microneedles
3-Dimensional (3D) Bioprinting Technology and Bioprinters
REFLECTIONS OF DIGITAL APPLICATIONS IN PHARMACY COMMUNICATION ON MEDICINE AND HEALTH SERVICES
INSOMNIA: THE SILENT ENEMY OF THE MODERN WORLD
A bird's eye view of headaches
Hair Problems and Solutions
Pharmacological Importance of Agmatine in The Brain
HIV/AIDS
Cough
Chronic Stress and Fatigue: In-Depth Analysis
Blepharitis: What is it and how is it treated?
Depressive Disorders
Aromatherapy
Oral and Dental Health
Psoriasis from All Aspects
Beyond The Scale: Understanding The Complexities of Obesity
General Information About Cancer
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults
Everything You Need To Know About Heart Failure
Diabetes Mellitus
Crohn's Disease
The World's Longest-Acting Insulin Candidate in Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Icodec
Big Pharma Skepticism – What are we consuming?
Skin Health
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acne Vulgaris
SKIN AGING AND TEA
Nutrition in The Preconception Period
Obesity
Popular Diet Perception
Functional Foods in Weight Management
Aflatoxins, The Hidden Poison in Foods
A Powerful Ally in The Fight Against Infectious Dieseases: Nutrition
An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Nutritional Problems