Every year, summer days are getting hotter. From morning till night, the bright sun shines from the sky, the radiation of which leads to rapid aging of the skin and, worst of all, increases the risk of skin cancer. Representatives of some professions spend more than 6 hours a day under the scorching sun, which is why they already have wrinkles at the age of 40. In addition, they unknowingly shorten their life expectancy. To avoid all these consequences, all people without exception need to use sun protection products. But which sunscreen is best, when should it be applied to the skin and in what quantity? And in general, how do these products work?
There are several types of ultraviolet rays, and a good sunscreen should protect against all of them. Source: kuban.aif.ru
Contents
- 1 Who and when invented sunscreen
- 2 Why the sun causes cancer
- 3 How to choose the best sunscreen
- 3.1 What is SPF in sunscreen
- 3.2 What is PPD in sunscreen
- 4 How does sunscreen work
- 5 What days do you need sunscreen
Who and when invented sunscreen
First, a little historical background. Humanity has known about the harmful effects of solar radiation for a long time. According to historical documents, the ancient Greeks covered their bodies with a layer of olive oil to protect themselves from it. In ancient Egypt, a mixture of rice, jasmine, and lupine extracts was considered a good remedy for solar radiation.
Modern sunscreens were invented only in the 20th century, and there were many different options. The first person to develop a sunscreen was the Australian chemist Milton Blake – the main component of his product was the antiseptic phenyl salicylate.
Sunscreens appeared in the 20th century, but many people only recently realized their value. Source: mentalfloss.com
In 1936, the French chemist Eugène Schueller, who is the founder of the cosmetics company L’Oréal, presented his version of sunscreen.
In 1946, the Swiss chemist Franz Greiter also developed his own formula for sunscreen, which became a commercial success. He also coined the term SPF (Sun Protection Factor) – this is the name of the indicator of how much ultraviolet rays the product blocks.
Read also: How long do you need to be in the sun to get a tan on your skin
Why does the sun cause cancer
When a person is in the sun, ultraviolet radiation hits their skin. They are divided into three types: long-wave (UVA), medium-wave (UVB) and short-wave ultraviolet type C.
UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, cause skin aging and provoke the development of cancer. UVB rays affect the surface of the skin, cause sunburn, and can also lead to skin cancer. Short-wave ultraviolet does not threaten humans, because it is completely blocked by the ozone sun and does not reach us.
It is best to be outside in the morning or in the evening, when the UV index is low – this way you can get a dose of vitamin D and improve your mood. Source: kartinki.pics
Ultraviolet rays damage the DNA in skin cells, causing mutations. Sometimes these changes cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and form cancerous tumors.
People who have long-term sun exposure can develop squamous cell carcinoma. This is a common form of skin cancer that is rarely fatal if treated promptly.
Occasional sun exposure, such as sunburn, can cause a person to develop melanoma, a rare but dangerous form of skin cancer.
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How to Choose the Best Sunscreen
To avoid the risks listed above, you need to use sunscreen.
Since the second half of the 20th century, sunscreen formulas have been constantly improving, with each manufacturer adding something new. For example, in addition to protecting against sunburn, they may contain vitamins and other components to improve the condition of the skin.
What is SPF in sunscreen
To choose a good sunscreen, you need to pay attention to the SPF indicator mentioned above. Usually, information about the sun protection factor is written directly on the tube of cream, in the most visible place.
It is believed that the higher the SPF indicator, the more effective the product is in protecting against ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, people are advised to buy creams with an SPF of 50 or more.
There are sunscreens with different SPF values. Source: gastronom.ru
What is PPD in sunscreen
But it is important to note that most sunscreens only protect against UVB rays. To ensure protection against UVA rays, you need to look for products labeled as “broad spectrum.” Some manufacturers indicate protection against UVA rays with the abbreviation PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening).
Ultimately, it turns out that when buying sunscreen, it is best to choose options labeled SPF 50+ and broad spectrum protection.
How Sunscreen Works
Each sunscreen contains mineral and organic components that protect the skin from ultraviolet rays in different ways.
For example, mineral components include titanium oxide and zinc oxide. They form a barrier that reflects and scatters UV rays on the surface of human skin. Mineral sunscreens are good because they rarely irritate the skin, but they have a big disadvantage – they can leave a white coating on the skin.
The composition of sunscreens is always different and depends on the manufacturer. Source: mentalfloss.com
Organic components of sunscreens can be different, but most often manufacturers use octinoxate and octisalate. They absorb the sun's rays and convert them into heat, which is then removed from the skin. They can cause irritation in people with sensitive skin, but are almost unnoticeable.
Usually, for products to work well, manufacturers combine mineral and organic components.
Everyone should know this: 5 myths about our skin that you believed
On what days do you need sunscreen
You can understand that it is better not to go outside without a layer of sunscreen by looking at the weather forecast on the Internet. If the service shows that the UV index is 3 or higher, you must definitely apply the cream.
A reminder on the UV index of the sun. Source: tvsamara.ru
Sunscreen should be applied to the skin half an hour before going outside. It should be reapplied every half hour, as well as after swimming or heavy sweating.
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Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed parts of the body. This includes not only the arms, but also the legs and even the ears. You shouldn't skimp on the product, because many people apply much less cream, which greatly reduces its effectiveness.