Everyone has heard about the dangers of solar ultraviolet radiation for the skin. It's rare to find a person heading to the beach without taking a jar of sunscreen with them. At the same time, not everyone understands how to properly use such cosmetics in order to really protect their skin from dangerous solar radiation. There are many myths around sunscreen cosmetics. What does the SPF factor mean, is it possible to tan beautifully under the applied cream, how much product should be applied for guaranteed safety? Together with estet-portal.com we will deal with some of these myths.
Myth 1. The higher the SPF of sunscreen, the longer you can sunbathe
The cryptic letters and numbers that represent SPF are actually the amount of UV that will be blocked by the applied cream. That is, with an SPF-15 value, 1/15 of the sun's rays will hit the skin, and with an SPF-50 – only 1/50 of them. To make these fractions a little clearer, we take the entire amount of solar ultraviolet as 100% and divide by the SPF index. If you spread a cream with an index of 15 on your skin, then only 7% of the radiation will reach the skin. And if you use a cream with SPF-50, then it will absorb 98% of all harmful rays.
It is very important that any sunscreen, regardless of SPF factor, is guaranteed to protect the skin for only 2 hours.
After 2 hours, the chemical elements of the cream oxidize and no longer protect the skin. The cream needs to be washed off and reapplied.
Myth 2. Sunscreen is not needed on cloudy days
In fact, for the skin, it is not so much the brightness of the sun that matters, but the ultraviolet index. It is sometimes shown on the news program in the summer when they talk about the weather, but you can check it yourself on the Internet. This is the international standard for evaluating the intensity of solar radiation exposure by the UVF. If its value is 8-10, then you can burn even on a cloudy evening. With values of 6-7, which are typical for our region in summer, it is advisable not to leave the house without protective cosmetics, even if the sun does not peek out from behind the clouds.
To avoid trouble, use creams with SPF 30 or higher on your skin. They have real protective properties. Such cosmetics can always be found in the online store PARFUMS.UA in just a few clicks.
Myth 3. It is enough to apply sunscreen to the skin once a day
In order to estimate the number of applications required, remember that sunscreens come with physical and chemical filters. The former are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – excellent reflectors and absorbers of harmful radiation, but they are dense and greasy, quickly washed off with a towel and beach sand, exfoliated, partially washed off with sea water (despite the waterproof mark, the emulsion base of the cream dissolves). Therefore, the cream on physical filters must be applied again, constantly and generously – not less than 25 ml for 1 time. Chemical filters are absorbed into the skin and are pleasant in texture. But after 2 hours, their components are oxidized, turning into dangerous free radicals. Therefore, the product must be washed off and reapplied.
Myth 4. Sun protection is not needed if you go to the solarium first
Many people think that going to the tanning salon before the holidays will prepare the skin for intense sun rays, because it will already be tanned, and it does not need to be protected. In fact, the task of sunscreen cosmetics – reflect ultraviolet rays that can penetrate the skin and break cellular DNA, and therefore cause photoaging or even dangerous skin diseases. Such rays affect the skin whether it is tanned or not.
In order to properly prepare the skin for a beach vacation, it is useful to use cosmetics that are specially selected in a separate solar line by the online store PARFUMS.UA.
Myth 5. You can't get a tan when you use sunscreen
Recall that melanocyte cells are responsible for tanning, which, upon contact of the skin with the sun's rays, begin to produce a protective pigment. Even those couple of percent of the rays that still break through the barrier of sunscreen is enough to tan. What's more, there's still a risk of blushing and sunburn when out in the sun during the midday heat.
Of course, sunscreen cosmetics protect the skin from dehydration, reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, and reduce the risk of cell damage from harmful radiation. But no sunscreen guarantees absolute protection of the skin from UV rays. Therefore, try to reduce your exposure to the active sun and remember about your health.
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