Spring has begun, the sun is shining again, and we are building up to the tropical summer months. Time to unfold your sunbed, grab an ice-cold beer, pump Vamos a la playa through your speakers, and cultivate a nice Brown tan. Unfortunately, this scenario does not come without some danger.
The sun's intensity increases a little more each year, so there's extra reason to protect yourself. Unfortunately, one in six Dutch people is confronted with skin cancer annually, which is now one of the most common forms of cancer. Dermatologists and doctors are seeing forms of skin cancer, caused by the sun, increasing more and more. Therefore, it's time to pay a little extra attention to this.
UV Radiation
UV stands for ultraviolet, this radiation comes from the sun. This radiation not only brings negative consequences, as without this UV radiation, life on earth would not be possible. So, it's not entirely unimportant. Unfortunately, this radiation also causes your skin to burn significantly and you can get unpleasant diseases or damage. With the right sun protection, you can prevent this damage.
Three Types of Radiation
UV radiation can be divided into three Categories:
- UV-A radiation
- UV-B radiation
- UV-C radiation
UV-C radiation is not well known and is not harmful to us. This is because UV-C radiation does not penetrate the ozone layer. UV-A and UV-B radiation are the more well-known versions. UV-B radiation affects the epidermis and ensures that we absorb the important vitamin D3. When you sit in the sun too long, the skin burns and damage occurs.
UV-A radiation penetrates a bit deeper into your skin and thus causes the brown Colour on your skin. Ultimately, this radiation can cause cell disruption. This can also be the cause of skin cancer. UV-A radiation also causes your skin to age. All unpleasant side effects, which is why it's so important to apply a Sunscreen that is resistant to UV-A radiation.
Sun Strength
Sun strength is the term used to express radiation. Sun strength is divided from sun strength 1 to 10. Most Dutch people burn at sun strength 8 or higher. At least, if you don't use protection.
Remember that even on a cloudy day, 40% of UV radiation reaches our skin. This means that the sun can also be harmful in spring, autumn, and winter. So, keep applying sunscreen. In this case, an SPF 15 or SPF 30 will protect most Dutch people enough.
SPF
Everyone is familiar with the term SPF. But what exactly is it? SPF stands for “sun protection factor.” You probably know that the higher the SPF, the better the protection against the sun, but there is still quite a bit of confusion about SPF. The number that follows the word SPF tells you how long it takes for UV radiation to Red your skin versus the time without protection.
Suppose that you would normally burn after 10 minutes, with factor 30 you would burn only after 10 x 30 = 300 minutes and with factor 50 after 500 minutes. The higher the sun's strength, the faster you burn, and thus the sun's strength influences the factor of sun protection. With factor 15, 7% of radiation still passes through the filter, and with factor 50, it's only 2%. That is more than 3 times less. Applying a high factor is therefore a must in all cases.
A good SPF Sunscreen protects you against immediate redness and the aging effects in the long term due to excessive exposure to the sun.
How do you use Sunscreen with SPF?
A good SPF Sunscreen protects you against immediate redness and the aging effects in the long term due to excessive exposure to the sun. But how do you use it?
You use Sunscreen the same as a Day Cream. Spread a layer over your skin and apply it gradually. Distribute the product over your entire Body and pay special attention to your Face and any Tattoos. They are extra sensitive to the sun. Also, be sure to read the packaging of your Sunscreen, which states how often you should apply it and whether it is waterproof.
Tip: do not lie in the sun for more than 2 to 3 hours. Your Body stops producing melanin after that time and you won't get any tanner, while the risk of damage only increases.
Our favorite Sunscreen
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| The Alpha Men - Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 for Face & Body |
Jaxon Lane - Rain or Shine - Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF50+ |
Aftersun
After a day of sunbathing, it's important to listen to your skin, even if you don't yet have the Colour of a lobster. It's important to restore your skin's moisture balance. You can do this with a good Aftersun to use. When the moisture content of your skin dries out, your skin can lose elasticity, become dry, and form wrinkles. Doesn't sound nice, and it isn't. Pay special attention to ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, as your skin will be happy with those.
But everyone knows the following situation as well. You've been baking on the beach and have fallen asleep wonderfully. When you wake up rested, you feel your skin burning like a hot plate. The reflection in your mirror is bright red, and you know enough: I f*cked up. In this situation, pay special attention to ingredients like aloe vera, licorice root extract, or beta-glucan. These will be your best friends and give your skin the cooling and Grooming it asks for.
A good day or Night Cream often contains these ingredients and can certainly help to calm your sunburned skin.
A good Aftersun is a good cream, and a good cream is a good Aftersun!
Aftersun
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Supplements
If you're planning to bravely face the sun's rays during your summer vacation, it's a good idea to delve into supplements that contain beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene, and vitamin E.
These substances ensure that your skin can better withstand the bright glare and Brown faster. Beta-carotene has the property that it is converted into vitamin A within the Body. This substance ensures that the skin comes into a healthy condition and also stimulates the production of melanin, which ensures you tan beautifully.
Additionally, this substance also has a supportive function for the Eyes, stimulates cell renewal, and boosts the health of the organs. Beta-carotene is also found in various vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and green peas. Besides the aforementioned beta-carotene, it is also advisable to take supplements with lycopene, vitamin E, and selenium. These substances are an important part of the resilience and elasticity of your skin.
For example, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is primarily stored in the skin. It protects against free radicals and helps retain moisture. Selenium, in fact, increases the antioxidant properties of vitamin E (as well as supporting your immune system and thyroid) and protects your cells against harmful external effects. This substance also promotes radiant skin.
Tips to Prevent Sun Damage
- Avoid the sun between 12:00 and 15:00. That is when the sun's strength is at its peak.
- Use a Sunscreen with a high SPF that protects against UV-A radiation while sunbathing.
- Read the instructions of your Sunscreen, so you know how often you need to apply it.
- Check if your Sunscreen is waterproof, otherwise reapply after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Pay attention to the expiration date of your Sunscreen! You can find how long it is good for after opening on the packaging.
- Drink enough water, the sun dehydrates and can cause hyperpigmentation.
- Besides Sunscreen, you can also protect your skin with Apparel, sunglasses, and a cap or hat.
- Use a Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or 30 on cloudy days (also in autumn and winter).
Despite all the trouble just discussed, there are of course also good qualities that the sun brings. Let's start with the standpoint that we would all go extinct without the sun. There, point proven. But aside from this extreme point, the sun also provides vitamin D, your beautiful tan, and above all, many days and evenings full of fun. So let's not forget to enjoy the sun to the fullest! Just do it in a slightly more responsible way, it simply prevents a lot of hassle.
Enjoy the sun!
Your friends, The Alpha Men