For only the best
to get the sun
The well-known beautician Alexandra Soveral writes in her book “Perfect Skin” that she hears the same sentence over and over again from her clients in London, New York and Los Angeles:
“If I only had known”
Especially in the case of older clients, this complaint relates to the premature aging of the skin, which has been exposed to long and intense sunbathing too often.
This excuse no longer applies, because the consequences of excessive UV radiation for the skin have long been known: strong pigmentation, keratoses and possible precursors and the development of skin cancer.
And yet, after winter and endless hours in the office or conference room, we crave sun on our skin so much that we keep forgetting what experts like the American Cancer Society strongly recommend:
1.
Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m
The sun has many positive effects on our health and well-being that we should use.
As a golden rule, the American Cancer Society recommends avoiding the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sleeping in on vacation, enjoying a late, long breakfast and then going out in the sun is nice but fatal in terms of sun. It is better to set the alarm clock very early, to witness the sunrise and to move outdoors with the first rays of the sun.
From 10:00 a.m. additional protection with long clothing and a sun hat with a wide brim are the order of the day. Only after 4 p.m., or even better in the last few hours before sunset, is it safer to give your skin more freedom.
2.
UVA, UVB, UVC
Ultraviolet rays are divided into three categories according to their wavelength: UVA rays have lower energy but have a greater penetration depth into human tissues and reach the dermis than the other rays.
They ensure direct pigmentation of the skin and damage the skin’s collagens. The skin loses its elasticity and ages prematurely.
Since UVA rays form free radicals, there is a risk of melanoma formation (black skin cancer). Dermatologists therefore strictly advise against sunbeds that mainly use UVA rays.
The shorter UVB rays are more energetic and cause what is known as indirect pigmentation and tanning. They penetrate less deeply into the skin than UVA rays and lead to the formation of vitamin D there.
Consumed in moderation, UVB rays lead to a thickening of the cornea, which in turn provides some protection from the sun. However, too much UVB radiation can also be carcinogenic.
Therefore, make sure that your sunscreen offers protection against UVA and UVB rays. Since both UVB and UVA rays can damage the eye, good sunglasses are a must at all times of the day.
UVC rays, the highest energy rays, are shielded by the earth’s ozone layer. In research and medicine, UVC rays are used for disinfection because they destroy genetic material.
3.
season and decades
The strongest UV radiation is in spring and summer. Not only the cloudless sky is dangerous. Depending on the cloud formation, UV rays can be blocked, but also reflected and thus amplified in their effect.
The cancer experts assume that changes in the skin leading to skin cancer can only have an effect decades later. Frequent sunburns in childhood can lead to skin cancer in old age.
4.
Mineral or chemical sunscreen?
In a survey of dermatologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the leading cancer clinics in the United States, when asked which sunscreen was better, the honest answer was, “We don’t know.”
Despite many strongly polarizing opinions, there is not yet sufficient medical knowledge that could pronounce a clear, evidence-based vote for one or the other sun protection.
While the so-called mineral or physical sun protection sits on the surface of the skin and shields it in this way through reflection, the chemical sun protection is absorbed by the skin and converts the UV rays into heat.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the main components of physical or mineral sunscreens.
They are generally a little heavier to apply compared to chemical sunscreens, which absorb relatively quickly but work with a long list of chemicals. The latter means that people with sensitive skin sometimes react allergically to these substances.
Experts recommend applying sunscreen about 30 minutes before going out in the sun
A clear one
The experts at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommend that sunscreen should be kept for a year: after a year, you should throw away the leftovers – even if there is no use-by date on the packaging.
Applying more makes sense when it comes to sunscreen. Keeping leftover sunscreen for the next summer vacation, however, is not.
5.
There is no absolute protection
The American Cancer Society recommends a sun protection factor of 15 to 30. There are higher sun protection factors; however, the higher effect is “bought” by more effective substances.
There is no absolute sun protection. For this reason, the term sunblock was banned in the USA, for example. No one should feel completely protected by the Word.
Since UV rays can also penetrate glass, sun protection is sometimes also required inside the house or in the car, unless the windows are specially coated against UV radiation.
Even if the rules sound very strict. Enjoying a summer’s day early in the morning when it’s still quiet, nature is awakening and the beach or the ski slopes and hiking trails are still empty can be a very special pleasure.
Using midday to have a delicious lunch and then having a siesta is undoubtedly a wonderful idea. Well rested, the hours until sunset can be used outdoors again.
Voilà — isn’t vacation just the right thing to break up the usual routine?
Even if we don’t usually wear beachwear in everyday life – our hands are mostly exposed to the sun’s rays. It’s no wonder that age is often easiest to read from the skin on the hands.
It is worth treating your hands with sun protection and continuous good hand care. The SIEVER_S endure serum, specifically developed for the protection and care of the hands, is filled in small ampoules and is non-greasy.
The highly concentrated hand care can be a good companion when traveling and placed discreetly wherever you want to do something good for your hands.
