In the midst of summer and sunbathing, it's good to talk about the importance of sunscreen. Basking in the sun, lounging on the beach and having fun by the sea are loved by many, but the danger of sunburn and skin cancer is something that should not be ignored.
August is one of the warmest months of the year. It is then that the danger from the sun's rays is greatest.
Application of sunscreen is mandatory. But mistakes are often made when using such products, which increases the risk of skin cancer.
What are these common mistakes and how to avoid them?
We apply sunscreen only when we are in the sun
Many people do not realize that the sun's rays are capable of passing through clouds and even through a patterned shadow. Even when we walk down the street without being on the beach and getting sunburned, harmful UV rays penetrate our skin.
This is why, on the sunniest and warmest days, sunscreen should be applied at all times before going outside.
We choose sunscreens with a high protection factor and stay with it for a long time
The fact that a product has a high protection factor does not mean that you can expose yourself to the sun for a long time. Specialists advise to follow a simple rule – what is the number of the factor, how many minutes to stay in the sun after one application.
After these minutes have elapsed, the anointing must be repeated. That is, if you have chosen sun protection factor 30, you should not stand in the sun for more than 30 minutes after one application.
We apply too little sunscreen
Most sunscreen products leave white marks on the skin, especially when wet and sweaty. Many people worry that these white marks will remain on their clothes.
is more important than anything and no compromises should be made. That's why you need to apply a generous amount of product to make sure that no corner of the skin is left uncovered.
We use products left over from last year
No compromises should be made here either. If you have leftover sunscreen from last summer, throw it away. It is contraindicated to use products from the previous year, even if their expiration date has not expired.
They were already opened after all, which increases the risk of their weathering.
We only use spray
There are different types of spray tans with sun protection factor available in the market. Dermatologists do not recommend them because sprays are not particularly reliable. Many people just rely on the spray and don't smudge afterwards. This again leaves areas of the skin exposed to the sun uncovered.
Missing important places
We often don't realize where we can burn until it happens and we feel pain. Some of the most often forgotten places are the ears, behind them, the nose, the top of the feet just below the ankle, the chest, the belly, the lips, the forehead, the neck, the scalp.
It is no coincidence that these are also the places where people most often develop skin cancer.
We apply sunscreen immediately before the beach
This happens because we rarely read the directions on the packages. Most sunscreens are recommended to be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
So there is enough time for the product to penetrate deeply and do its job.
