Spring has sprung, the sun is shining again and we are building toward the tropical summer months. Time to unfold your sun bed, grab an ice-cold beer, pump Vamos a la playa through your speakers and start growing a nice tan. Unfortunately, this scenario is not without some danger after all.
The sun's intensity increases every year, so extra reason to protect yourself. Unfortunately, one in six Dutch people contract skin cancer every year, now one of the most common forms of cancer. Dermatologists and doctors see forms of skin cancer, caused by the sun, increasing more and more. Therefore, it is 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, since without this UV radiation no life on earth would be possible. Not entirely unimportant, then. Unfortunately, this radiation also causes your skin to burn considerably and you can get nasty 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 so well known and not harmful to us. This is because UV-C radiation does not penetrate the ozone layer. UV-A and UV-B radiation are the better-known versions. UV-B radiation affects the epidermis and makes us absorb the important vitamin D3. When you spend too long in the sun, the skin burns and damage occurs.
UV-A radiation goes a little deeper into your skin, creating the tan on your skin. Eventually, this radiation can cause cellular disruption. Consequently, this can be the cause of skin cancer. UV-A radiation also causes your skin to age. None of these are pleasant side effects, which is why it is so important to apply sunscreen that is resistant to UV-A radiation.
Sun strength
Solar power is the term used to express the radiation. Sun power can be divided from sun force 1 to 10. Most Dutch people get sunburn at sun force 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 even in spring, autumn and winter the sun can be harmful. Therefore, keep lubricating. 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 the higher the SPF, the better the protection from 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 turn your skin red versus the time without protection.
Suppose you would normally burn after 10 minutes, then with factor 30 you would only burn after 10 x 30 = 300 minutes and with a factor 50 after 500 minutes. The higher the sun power, the faster your burn and thus sun power affects the factor of sun protection. With factor 15, 7% radiation still gets through the filter and with factor 50, only 2%. That is over 3 times less. Greasing with a high factor is always a good idea.
A good SPF sunscreen protects you from immediate redness and from the long-term aging effects of overexposure to the sun.
How do you use sunscreen with SPF?
A good SPF sunscreen protects you from immediate redness and from the long-term aging effects of overexposure 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 spread well gradually. Spread the product all over your body, paying particular attention to your face and any tattoos. These are especially sensitive to the sun. Read the packaging of your sunscreen to see how often you should apply it and whether it is waterproof.
Tip: Do not go longer than 2 to 3 hours in the sun. Your body will stop producing melanin after that time and you won't tan, while the risk of damage will increase.
Our favorite sunscreen
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Aftersun
After a day in the sun, it is important to listen to your skin, even if you do not yet have the color of a lobster. It is important to restore your skin's moisture levels. You can do this by using a good aftersun. When your skin's moisture level dries out, your skin can lose elasticity, become dry and start to form wrinkles. Doesn't sound nice, isn't it. Pay particular attention to ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which will make your skin happy.
But everyone also knows the following situation. You have been sunbathing on the beach and are sound asleep. When you wake up rested, you feel your skin burning like a hot plate. The reflection in your mirror turns bright red and you know enough: I f*cked up. In this situation, pay particular attention to ingredients like aloe vera, licorice root extract or beta glucan. These will then be your best friends and give your skin the cooling and care it is asking for.
A good day or night cream often also contains these ingredients and can therefore also definitely help soothe your burnt skin again.
A good aftersun is a good cream, and a good cream is a good aftersun!
Our favorite aftersun
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Supplements
If you plan to heroically brave the sun's rays during your summer vacation, it's a good plan to look into supplements containing beta carotene, selenium, lycopene and vitamin E.
These substances ensure that your skin can better resist the bright glare as well as tan faster. Beta carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A. This substance ensures that the skin is in a healthy condition and also stimulates the production of melanin, which in turn ensures that you get a nice tan.
In addition, this substance also has a supporting 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. In addition to the beta carotene just mentioned, it is also advisable to take supplements containing lycopene, vitamin E and selenium. These substances are an important part of the resilience and resilience of your skin.
For example, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is mainly stored in the skin. It protects against free radicals and to retain moisture. Selenium actually enhances the antioxidant properties of vitamin E (as well as supporting your immune system and thyroid) and protects your cells from harmful external effects. It also promotes radiant skin.
Tips to prevent sun damage
- Don't seek out the sun between noon and 3 p.m.. This is when the sun's power is at its strongest.
- While tanning, use a sunscreen with high SPF that protects against UV-A radiation.
- Read the directions for use on your sunscreen so you know how often to apply it.
- Check if your sunscreen is waterproof, otherwise reapply after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Pay attention to the shelf life of your sunscreen! On the packaging you can find how long it has a shelf life after opening.
- Drink plenty of water, the sun dehydrates and can cause hyperpigmentation.
- Besides sunscreen, you can also protect your skin by clothing, sunglasses and a cap or hat.
- On cloudy days (even in fall and winter), use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or 30.
Despite the woes all just discussed, there are, of course, good qualities that the sun brings. Let's start with the view that we would all go extinct without the sun. So, point proven. But besides this extreme point, the sun also provides vitamin D, your beautiful tan and, above all, many days and evenings full of fun. Therefore, let's especially remember to keep enjoying the sun to the extreme! Just do it in a slightly more responsible way, it just prevents a lot of hassle.
Enjoy the sun!
Your friends, The Alpha Men