As the summer months approach, we begin to feel the burning effect of the sun more. The sun increases our happiness hormone by giving us heat and light. In this situation, the adage that we used to hear very often, 'A doctor does not enter a house when the sun enters', has started to lose its validity. Because the ozone layer, which protects us against the harmful effects of the sun, has been damaged. So, how does the sun, which is both our friend and our enemy, affect us?
Sun rays have two different wavelengths that pass through the surface of the earth and reach us. These are UVA and UVB. While UVA is present throughout the day, UVB is especially intense between 12-16 o'clock. While UVA reaches much deeper into our skin, causing sensitivity to the sun, wrinkles and blemishes, UVB can cause sunburns and skin cancer in the long term, thanks to vertical sun rays.
Sun rays cause us many problems in the short and long term. It invites disease. It is possible to be protected from the harmful effects of the sun by paying attention to a few points.
April and September are the months when we are most affected by the sun. In these months, the hours between 11 and 16 o'clock are when the sun is at its steepest angle. The elderly, those with systemic diseases such as blood pressure, heart disease, and children are much more affected by the harmful effects of the sun during these hours. It is important not to be outside between these hours unless necessary.
Unfortunately, staying in the shade does not protect us from harmful effects. Sunscreen is important to protect from the harmful effects of the sun, some important points are;
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Sunscreen is special for every skin and should be recommended by your dermatologist.
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Sunscreens should be applied 20 minutes before going out or going to the beach.
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These products, which are removed from the skin with sweat and water, should be renewed every 2-3 hours.
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It should become a habit to apply protective cream to areas such as the ears, nape, neck and back of the hands.
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If your sunscreen has been left under the sun at high temperatures or its consistency has changed. If it is broken, it should be renewed.
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Sunscreens that do not form compounds with the skin and contain physical protection should be preferred, especially for pregnant women and children.
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Protective creams The UVB protection factor is most often stated on it. Creams with a protection factor against UVA, which is at least as harmful as UVB, should be preferred.
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If other products such as cosmetic products or fly repellent will be used, sunscreen should be applied first.
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As the protective factor rate increases, the protection increases; 20 factors can provide 85% protection, 30 factors can provide 97% and 50 factors can provide 98% protection.
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It should be known that no sunscreen filters 100% of the light.
When choosing clothes in the summer months, white and light-colored clothes are often preferred. While this protects us from extreme heat, it cannot prevent the sun's rays from reaching our skin. We recommend that people, especially those with many body moles and body blemishes, wear a black undershirt to prevent risky moles that may develop in the future. Additionally, sunglasses and wide-brimmed Mexican hats help protect us from the harmful effects of the sun. Carrots containing beta carotene and red summer fruits containing lycopene should be consumed abundantly throughout the summer, because these foods increase our resistance to the sun. After talking about protection methods, the benefit of the sun, which is a good source of vitamin D, should not be forgotten. Although our country is very rich in terms of sunlight, we face a severe vitamin D deficiency. For vitamin D synthesis, a period of 10-15 minutes, especially when the sun is at a right angle, and exposing the area under the knees and elbows to the sun is sufficient.
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