Just creamed with sunscreen in the sun

When sunbathing, consider sun protection

07/24/2012

Whether in the summer lying on the lawn, splashing in the pool or go for a walk on the beach, experts always recommend to pay attention to sufficient sun protection. For the German favorite holiday hobby - sizzling in the sun - is much unhealthier than many assume. In the worst case, the intense UV radiation leads to skin cancer.

Sun tan indicates how damaged the skin is
Experts like the doctor Jessica Hassel, director of the dermatological ambulance at the "National Center for Tumor Diseases" (NTC) in Heidelberg warn against the sun. Because not only a sunburn is harmful, but also tanned skin. The tan indicates the degree of damage to the skin. Particularly serious may be the consequences of a sunburn. This can develop into skin cancer in the worst case. Due to the congestion of the skin it comes to the release of messengers such as histamine, which are responsible, inter alia, for the expansion of the vessels, redness and itching, said dermatologist Joachim Christ. The overload could also lead to degeneration of the skin cells. Horn cells then develop so-called keratoses, which resemble whales and can develop into white skin cancer. Mutated pigmented cells can degenerate into dangerous black skin cancer.

What makes the sun so dangerous for the skin is the so-called ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). A distinction is made between UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation. Due to the absorption in the earth's atmosphere, especially in the ozone layer, primarily UV-A and less UV-B radiation with a wavelength above 300 nm reaches the earth's surface. Since certain gases, in particular CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), disturb the equilibrium in the ozone layer and so contribute significantly to the formation and expansion of the ozone hole, more and more UV-B radiation reaches the earth's surface. Both UVA and UVB radiation can cause massive damage to the skin. Since UV-C radiation is very shortwave, it does not reach the earth's surface.

Protect skin from sunburn
To protect the skin from UV radiation, sunscreen should be used before any sunbathing or outdoor exposure. Decisive is the sun protection factor (LFS). The skin has only a low self-protection time. In Europeans, it is often only ten minutes, so that the skin is exposed after a short time. Experts therefore recommend the highest possible sun protection factor such as LFS 30. Particularly sensitive people with fair skin should use products with LFS 40, 50 or 60. To determine the guard time, the intrinsic protection time, for example ten minutes, is multiplied by the chosen SPF, for example 30. The sun protection time would then be 300 minutes. Since very few people know the exact self-protection time of their skin, this calculation should only be regarded as a very rough estimate. Sensitive individuals often have a self-protection time of less than six minutes.

Sun cream should always be applied liberally to protect the skin optimally. This is also true before staying in the shade, because the UV radiation can cause sunburn even under the sunshade.

Who creams several times a day, thus does not extend the protection of the skin. Nevertheless, it is advisable, for example, after sunbathing again with sunscreen grease, to be well protected. Experts advise in principle to sunbaths in moderation. Joachim Christ recommends avoiding the midday sun, as UV radiation is then most intense. Head, body and limbs should be protected from the sun by clothing.

What to do with sunburn?
If the skin is burned, simple home remedies and soothing and cooling creams, lotions or after-sun sprays help. In case of severe blistering, a doctor should always be consulted. Even with complaints such as nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness or fever, the visit to the doctor is essential.

For lighter burns envelopes can provide relief, for example in the form of tea towels. The wipes should be sterile to prevent inflammation. Quark or yoghurt are considered as old home remedies for sunburn, but should not be used under any circumstances, as this inflammation of the skin can be favored. Those who rely on lotions or creams, should only use natural products, as chemical substances and artificial fragrances could cause further health complications.

In addition, experts advise sunburn in a cool environment to rest and take plenty of fluids. Sunbaths are then taboo first. (Ag)

Also read about sun protection:
Cheap sunscreens are test winners
Cheap sunscreen as well as expensive
Sunscreen does not protect against skin cancer
Prevent sunburn: but how?
First aid with sunburn
UV rays: Unconditional protection against sunburn
Skin cancer: Dangerous spring sun in bald head

Picture credits: Manfred Walker