One of the most preventable risk factors for skin cancer is unprotected sun exposure. Sunburns, especially in childhood and adolescence, are very risky in terms of skin cancers that may develop in the future. It is important to have knowledge about sun protection and to gain the habit of using sunscreens.
How to protect from the sun?
The most important step we should pay attention to in sun protection, especially at 10:00, when the sunlight is at its steepest. It is to avoid the sun between -14:00. It should always be preferred to stay in the shade when we are outside. 80% of ultraviolet (UV) rays reach the earth's surface not only in clear and sunny weather, but also on cloudy and overcast days. It should not be forgotten that normal window glass does not transmit UVB, but will not prevent UVA rays from passing.
What are the Passive Sun Protection Methods?
Our clothes create an important barrier in protecting from the sun. Hat and sunglasses should be used. Ideally, a hat with a 10 cm sunshade should be used. When choosing a hat, light-proof fabric should be preferred. Thick fabrics, tightly woven fabrics, fabrics that shrink slightly after washing, and polyester clothing have higher protective properties. Clothes that are faded or wet have less protective properties. Sunglasses with full UVA-UVB filters should be used to prevent the effects of sun rays on the eyes and the formation of cataracts.
What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreens are important barriers against the sun. Products with a sun protection factor (=SPF) of 2-12 provide minimal protection, products with SPF 12-30 provide moderate protection, and products above SPF 30 provide high protection. Sunscreens should be chosen in accordance with the natural skin color. People with fair skin should prefer creams with a higher protection factor, but sunscreens should be used on all skin types, even if they have dark skin. People with light skin are more likely to get sunburn.
How to Choose Sunscreens?
When choosing sunscreen, broad spectrum products that provide protection against both UVA and UVB should be chosen. "Physical protectors" in sunscreen protect the sun's rays physically. They are used in combination with chemical preservatives in broad-spectrum products because they inhibit the presence of harmful substances (e.g., zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Although the use of SPF 15 is sufficient during the winter months in areas with average sun exposure, this value is insufficient in the summer months. Protection with SPF below 15 should not be used, and creams with a protection factor of at least 30 should be used for the summer months.
How should sunscreens be used?
Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before going out, 2- It should be renewed every 4 hours. It is reported that the first repetition 30 minutes after exposure to the sun increases the effectiveness. Water-resistant formulas should be preferred when staying in the sea or water for a long time. Sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming, excessive activity and drying. It is very important that sunscreens be used abundantly in order to be effective. Sunscreens should be applied to all areas exposed to UV in sufficient thickness and without rubbing to form a layer. Ideally, creams should be applied at 2 mg/cm2. This amount is roughly 1/3 teaspoon considering only the face. When a quarter of this amount is applied, the protection of the product decreases 8 times. Sunscreens should not be used to prolong sun exposure; because such use may increase exposure to wavelengths that are not or less filtered by some sunscreens.
How should we protect children from the sun?
In childhood, one or more blisters Sunburn more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma, or skin cancer. People are exposed to 50% of the total UV they will receive throughout their lives in the first 20 years of their lives. For this reason, protecting children especially from the sun is very important in terms of preventing skin cancers that may develop in later ages. Babies younger than 6 months should be protected from long-term direct sun exposure, and after 6 months they should be protected with products with a high protection factor.
Do sunscreens affect the synthesis of vitamin D?
The use of sunscreen should affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Fear of obstruction caused patients to avoid protection. However, only y� Exposure of the face and back of hands to the sun for 10-20 minutes a day provides the highest vitamin D production, even if regular sunscreen is used. Tanning reduces vitamin D production. With increasing age, vitamin D synthesis from the skin decreases significantly. For all these reasons, if vitamin D is deficient, it seems more logical to compensate for this deficiency by taking external vitamin D supplements, rather than exposure to sunlight, which is known to cause cancer due to its synthesis.
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