Lie in the sun and cool off in the water every now and then: great! But how was that again with the re-creaming? And how much product do you actually need? These were two of the most common questions our readers asked us. Here are the answers – and a few numbers about the UV protection behavior of our Instagram community.
That’s what the Poolitzer Prize is for! And it goes out to everyone who followed our Instagram call and asked us their most burning questions about sun protection – so that we can answer them.
The sun protection basics
Do I need sunscreen if my day care already has an SPF?
It depends on what you plan to do. In general, a day care product with UV protection is a good basis. For everyday life. It protects just as well as sunscreen – but only if you apply it just as thickly. And that’s exactly what we don’t usually do. In this respect, the SPF is a good additional service in day care. Just like in makeup. The main tasks of these products, however, remain to bring moisture, care or color to the skin. Skin aging caused by light can also be delayed a little. But with intense solar radiation, when you are outside all day, possibly even by the water or in the mountains, that is by no means sufficient. To really be on the safe side, you need an additional sun protection product.
Does the sun protection get under or over the make-up?
In principle, it is important that it bonds well with the skin. For those who do not want to do without light make-up, this order is recommended: If day care is required, it should be applied first – sunscreen makes it difficult to absorb and therefore comes next. Then wait 20 minutes before applying make-up so that the skin can absorb everything and the protection can build up. The exception to the rule are special face sprays that have a feather-light formula with SPF. They can be nebulized very finely and lie so evenly on the skin that they don’t have to be rubbed in again. It is essential to spray over several times for adequate protection.
That’s how dangerous UVA rays are
How can I prevent a sun allergy?
Polymorphic light dermatosis (PLD) is primarily due to UVA rays: They increase the production of cell-damaging free radicals, which the body responds to with a rash. This is especially the case at the beginning of the season. Experts advise gradually increasing the amount of sun exposure to get the skin used to it. For severe PLD, light therapy under medical supervision can also be useful. Always good: use special allergy sun protection with a high SPF and avoid the midday sun. Try: Apply an after-sun with antioxidants before UV protection. And: peppers, tomatoes, blueberries or dietary supplements provide the skin with the radical scavengers it needs from the inside.
Throw it away after a season – right?
How long can sunscreen be kept for?
Stored unopened, dry and not too warm, it stays fresh for two and a half to three years. The minimum shelf life indicated on the so-called PAO symbol (derived from Period after Opening) applies after opening. Identification: the small icon of an open jar with the number of months that the product can still be used – with sun protection with chemical filters this is usually twelve months. Tip: Write down the opening date with a waterproof pen. If the product is discolored, changed in consistency or has an unusual smell, it is better to dispose of it, otherwise it may cause irritation, rashes or sunburn.
What do “environmentally friendly” and “waterproof” mean?
Do you have to re-cream at all with sweat- and waterproof products?
In short: yes! Sounds illogical, but makes sense, because “waterproof” does not mean that the protection is insoluble in water. The label is given to products that – correctly applied – still offer 50 percent of the SPF after two baths of 20 minutes each. And also through friction (clothing, towels or sand) or sweating, part of the sun protection is worn off over time. Experts therefore recommend that you reapply yourself after two hours at the latest. Mind you, this does not extend the protection, but it does maintain it in full.
Are natural cosmetic sun protection products more environmentally friendly?
You can not say it like that. Natural cosmetics only allow mineral / physical filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), but studies have shown that these can also damage microorganisms. Everything that gets into the water has an effect – Spanish researchers have shown that the titanium content increases by 20 percent after a normal day of bathing near the coast. On the other hand, some conventional products, such as those from Caudalie, have a biodegradability of up to 96 percent within 28 days and are also free from chemical filters that are harmful to algae. Conclusion: The most environmentally friendly protection is and remains clothing and a shady spot.
More is more
Gel, lotion, spray: how much do you need to apply for good protection?
Feels too much. But the rule here is “clutter instead of spill!” Generally speaking, sun protection is applied much too thinly. For all consistencies you can stick to this rule of thumb: In order to actually be able to achieve the specified SPF, the product must be applied with two milligrams per square centimeter of skin – that’s about two tablespoons (36 grams) for the body and one teaspoon (three Grams) for the face. This corresponds to the amount that is used in the international method for determining the sun protection factor. Unfortunately, too little causes the SPF to drop rapidly.
Why do some sunscreens contain nanoparticles?
The tiny particles (a millionth of a millimeter in diameter!) Ensure that mineral filters can be distributed better on the skin and no longer whitish as strongly. Because that used to be the disadvantage of the common physical UV filter substances zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The larger the particles, the harder they are to distribute and the thicker the white film. Nanoparticles change that: They make the cream much smoother and are invisible on the skin. They are used in both conventional and some natural cosmetic products.
How do I protect the scalp?
Good question – that part of our body is too often left out. At least that was the result of a survey: 13 percent of the participants stated that they simply forgot the scalp when applying cream. Only 19 percent routinely wear sunscreen on the hairline, parting or other exposed areas. In order to protect the sensitive (!) Scalp from burns without ruining your hairstyle, you can spray on transparent sun protection sprays for your face. They don’t weigh down or grease, but reliably protect the parts. Also helpful: change the parting more often. Or even better: wear a hat.
Is the sun vitamin falling by the wayside?
Does sun protection prevent the production of vitamin D?
The dilemma: while we protect ourselves from the health consequences of too much UV radiation, the skin needs it for vitamin D synthesis. After a long discussion about this, we now know from studies that there is no need to worry. Sun protection does not block 100 percent of the radiation. Even with an SPF of 30, 3.3 percent penetrates the skin – enough to produce the important vitamin. Important: Anyone who fears that they have a deficiency should not expose themselves to the sun without protection, but have a vitamin D check carried out by a doctor. If necessary, they can prescribe the sun vitamin as a tablet.
Can dry hair and split ends be avoided?
Definitely! Surprisingly, in our Insta survey, around 89 percent saw no reason to use extra protection for their hair. There are a few. Because our hair does not get sunburn, but too much UV light affects it: It destroys the disulfide bridges inside the hair, which is responsible for elasticity, and makes its surface rough, so that it dries out. In addition, UV rays also attack the color pigments – a color cast is to be expected, especially with colored hair. But the strawy look can be averted – thanks to headgear, hair products with UV filters and rich treatments.
What about birthmarks?
Prof. Dr. med. Christoffer Gebhardt, Head of the Skin Tumor Center at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Are all stains also risky?
Most of them are harmless. Few melanomas develop on moles, most of them independently. If you are over 50, the risk increases. In skin cancer screening, malignant ones are discovered: every new mole, like the whole body, should be examined every two years.
What do you have to pay attention to?
The ABCD rule helps: asymmetrical, blurred, differently colored changes with a diameter of more than 0.5 cm should be examined by a dermatologist. Itchy or bleeding moles can be warning signs of melanoma. White skin cancer can be skin-colored nodules, plaques, or wounds that do not heal.
Does Sun Protection Prevent Cancer?
It greatly reduces the risk. Avoid midday sun and protective clothing is recommended before sun protection with a high SPF. Unfortunately, even consistent sun protection does not guarantee that you will never develop skin cancer. Why are the numbers increasing? The main cause is a careless use of the sun. We’re in a skin cancer epidemic. White skin cancer is the most common tumor disease in this country, black is already in fifth place. The number of new cases doubles every six to ten years. Risk factors: very light skin or severe sunburn in childhood.
Would you like to read more about the topic and exchange ideas with other women? Then have a look at the “Skin Care and Cosmetics Forum” BRIGITTE community past!
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