In summer, we spend more time outdoors, wear less clothes at the same time, and our skin is more exposed to solar radiation, which increases the risk of skin damage. Exposure to the skin of ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of the development of malignant neoplasms of the skin, the most malignant of which is melanoma. Over the past 10 years, the incidence of melanoma in Russia has increased from 4.5 to 6.1 per 100,000 population. Every year this tumor affects 8-9 thousand Russians.
It is not always possible to prevent melanoma, but we can significantly reduce the risks of developing this disease.
Protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation is necessary not only during a beach holiday. Protection is necessary in all situations where you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially during peak hours of the sun (from 10 to 16), for example, gardening, boating, various sports, fishing, hiking, mowing the lawn , walks around the city and in parks, cycling.
Protection against UV radiation.
A direct relationship has been proven between exposure to solar radiation and the incidence of malignant neoplasms, including melanoma. Now it is possible to accurately estimate the intensity of solar radiation and the danger of its damaging effects on the skin in a certain place at a certain time. To do this, they are guided by the values of the UV index (ultraviolet radiation index), which has values on a scale from 1 to 11+ and shows the strength of UV radiation in a particular place. The higher the UV index value, the greater the likelihood of sunburn, skin damage and, ultimately, the appearance of various malignant skin tumors.
- Protecting the skin with clothing.
If you plan to be in the open sun for a long time, protect your skin with clothing. There is a widespread misconception that any clothing reliably protects the skin from contact with ultraviolet radiation. However, it is not; It is important to pay attention both to the style of clothing itself and to the characteristics of the fabric from which it is made.
Choose clothing that covers your body as much as possible: ankle-length trousers and skirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved blouses.
Dyed, especially with natural pigments (green, brown, beige), or dark clothing protects better from sunlight than white, however, it heats up more, increasing the thermal load on the body. Two-layer materials double their protective properties. Thick clothing is preferred.
Fabrics made of cotton, linen, hemp retain ultraviolet well, but fabrics made of natural silk do not protect against solar radiation. Polyester absorbs ultraviolet as much as possible.
Protect your scalp by wearing a headgear (hat, headscarf). Remember the skin of the ears, they will be protected by the shadow of a wide-brimmed hat. The skin of the neck especially needs protection, this is the least protected part of the body, choose clothes with a collar that can be turned up, or tie a scarf or scarf around your neck.
Remember that clothing cannot provide 100% protection, if light is visible through the fabric, it means that it transmits UV.
- Use of sunscreen for external use.
Use sun protection products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. It's a common misconception that sunscreen should only be used on the beach. However, the sun affects us all year round, and during the peak of seasonal activity, the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation are no less in the city than on the beach.
During the hours of maximum solar activity from 10.00 to 16.00), all exposed skin should be protected by applying a sunscreen. On the beach - on the whole body, in the city or on a walk - on the face, lips, ears, neck, hands. Most people use sunscreen incorrectly, using it too sparingly. The recommended amount of sunscreen per unit of skin surface is 2 mg SPF per cm of skin. For a single application of sunscreen to the skin of an adult, at least 30 ml of the product is required.
Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days when the sun is hidden behind clouds, as clouds do not prevent UV radiation from penetrating.
Before applying sunscreen, be sure to read the instructions that come with it, which indicate how often you need to reapply it. On average, it is necessary to repeat the treatment of the skin every 2 hours of exposure to the sun. Many products are not moisture resistant and require reapplication after each immersion in water; increased sweating can also reduce the time of effective protection. Many fans of beach holidays find some pleasure in extremely long passive exposure to the sun, they diligently “sunbathe” for hours, in full confidence that they benefit their body, “recover themselves”. This is a very dangerous practice, especially loved by middle-aged and elderly people. Such vacationers should remember that even the competent use of sunscreens does not guarantee absolute protection of the skin from damage, the time spent in the open sun should be strictly limited (no more than 2 hours.).
- Being in the shade during hours of active sun.
Limiting long exposure to the sun is another way to avoid harmful UV exposure. This is especially true in the middle of the day, from 10.00 to 16.00, when UV radiation is excessively active. A simple test helps to understand the intensity of solar radiation: if a person’s shadow is shorter than the height of the person himself, then the sun is active, and protective measures must be taken. Being in the shade of a beach umbrella is not a complete protection, since up to 84% of ultraviolet rays are reflected from the sand and reach the skin without hindrance.
- Use of sunglasses.
Paying attention to protecting the skin, do not forget about the eyes. Eye melanoma is less common than skin melanoma. You can reduce the risk of its development only by using special sunglasses. It is better to use large-diameter glasses, the glasses of which block at least 98% of ultraviolet rays. Buy glasses from specialized optical shops, make sure that their glasses absorb UV up to 400 nm, which means that the glasses block at least 98% of UV rays. In the absence of such instructions on the label, the glasses most likely will not provide sufficient protection for the eyes.
By protecting yourself from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, you prolong life.
UV radiation and skin aging
A woman covering her face with a veil in our enlightened age seems to be a relic of the past. Therefore, many women of the East have already thrown off the veil and ... fully experienced the effect of the merciless sun on their skin. The fact that the sun ages the skin was also confirmed by Russian repatriates in Israel, whose skin quickly becomes covered with wrinkles in a hot, dry climate.
The role of sunlight in the process of early aging is so significant that scientists began to call this type of aging photoaging. Signs of photoaging are thickening of the stratum corneum (solar keratosis), pigment spots (lentigo), accumulation of abnormal collagen fibers in the skin (elastosis), and degradation of collagen.
The deeply wrinkled faces of South American Indians or Australian farmers are a vivid illustration of photoaging. So, sunlight is the main culprit of early wilting. The sun emits light in a wide range of wavelengths (from 200 nm and above). The solar spectrum is divided into several areas: the UKF range (200-400 nm), visible light (400-700) and infrared radiation (more than 700 nm).
Visible light is the electromagnetic radiation that our eyes perceive. At a wavelength of more than 700 nm, the infrared spectrum begins, the rays of which are perceived by us as heat; and at a wavelength of less than 400 nm, there is a range of ultraviolet radiation, which plays an exceptional role in the life of many living organisms on our planet. According to modern concepts, the first wrinkles appear precisely because of ultraviolet radiation.
The UV spectrum is divided into 3 regions - UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-C, the shortest wavelengths (200-290 nm), are the most dangerous because they have the highest energy. Luckily for us, all UV-C rays are trapped in the stratosphere.
UV-B rays have a range of 290 - 320 nm. They reach the Earth's surface by passing through the ozone layer. In human skin, UV-B rays penetrate the epidermis but do not reach the dermis. These rays are highly damaging and are responsible for many of the acute and chronic side effects associated with sunlight exposure. Waves of 297 nm have the greatest ability to cause erythema. UV-A wavelengths range from 320 to 400 nm. Of the entire UV spectrum, these rays have the lowest energy, but at the same time have the highest penetrating power. Reaching the surface of the Earth, they pass through the water column into the depths of the sea.
In human skin, UV-A rays reach the middle layers of the dermis. It is with them that the processes underlying photoaging of the skin are associated. It is known that in the mountains and southern regions, solar radiation is higher - you can tan and burn much faster here. This is due to the fact that the intensity of UV radiation depends not only on the path traveled from the Sun, but also on the distance traveled in the atmosphere: the greater the distance, the lower the intensity of the radiation.
When UV rays pass through the atmosphere, their intensity drops by about 20% every 1000 m of travel. This is not only due to absorption in the atmosphere, but also due to additional scattering due to dust and clouds. So, on a cloudy day, the intensity of UV radiation can be reduced by almost half compared to clear days. On the sea and in the mountains, a large amount of UV rays are reflected from water or snow, and then the effect of direct radiation is supplemented by the effect of indirect, reflected light. As a result, the risk of getting sunburn is significantly increased.
In the middle lane, people usually suffer from a lack of sun, so they like to lie on the beach and gladly expose their faces to the sun's rays. Photoaging, which is a very real threat in hot countries, remains a scary tale in which they do not really believe in the inhabitants of a temperate climate.
And, apparently, in vain. Scientists believe that over the past 10 years, due to the thinning of the ozone layer, the intensity of UV radiation has increased by 3-10%. This forced doctors to pay attention to the effect of sunlight on the skin and reconsider their attitude towards a “healthy tan”.
The effect of UV rays on the skin
Small doses of UV radiation are essential for human life. Their exceptional role in the synthesis of vitamin D and calcium metabolism has been proven. In the winter months, with a lack of UV radiation, an exacerbation of some skin diseases is observed.
The psycho-emotional state of a person also largely depends on UV radiation: in cloudy weather and at night, many people become depressed. Excessive UV exposure has a damaging effect on the skin, which can be divided into acute and chronic. Acute effects are associated with damage to the skin and the reaction of the skin to damage. Acute side effects include sunburn, thickening of the skin, and sunburn.
UV-A rays with a wavelength of more than 340 nm are mainly responsible for premature skin aging. UV-B (280-320 nm) radiation is more responsible for sunburn. Both UV-A and UV-B rays can cause malignant degeneration of cells. In modern society, a tan is considered a sign of health, but from a medical point of view, this is not entirely true. The fact is that sunburn is a protective reaction of the skin to damage.
The main goal of tanning is to prevent further damage that can lead to dangerous changes in the skin. Immediate tanning is caused by long wavelength UV-A rays and is the result of photo-oxidative darkening and redistribution of melanin pigment in epidermal cells, which they receive from melanocytes.
An immediate tan appears within 2 hours of UV exposure and has no protective effect against sunburn. A number of experimental data suggest that it may provide some protection for the DNA of cells in the basal layer of the epidermis.
Slow tanning occurs hours or days after exposure to predominantly UVB rays. The exact mechanism of tanning is still not entirely clear. It is assumed that as a result of UV damage to certain parts of the genome responsible for melanin metabolism, the enzyme tyrosinase is activated.
This leads to an increase in melanin production, an increase in the size of melanocytes, an elongation of processes (dendrites) and an increase in their degree of branching. In addition, UV radiation affects the enzymatic processes in other skin cells and intercellular space, which entails the transition of the cellular community to a different level of physiological activity. Slow tan stays for weeks and even months after UV exposure.
Thickening of the skin is not only the result of damage, but also a protective reaction that appears hours or days after exposure to UV-B rays and persists for months. Increased division of basal cells and increased adhesion of corneocytes leads to thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which is the first barrier to UV rays and protects underlying cells and, most importantly, basal keratinocytes from damage.
Sunburn- this is a reaction of the skin to damage, as well as a kind of protective reaction: a burnt person no longer wants to sit under the sun and thus damage the skin more. The exact mechanism of sunburn formation is not well understood, but it has already been proven that it involves the production and release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators from the cells of the epidermis and dermis. Redness, pain, swelling and even blistering can occur within hours or even days after exposure to 300 nm UV rays. Sunburn is familiar to anyone who has sunburned on the beach. This is redness of the skin, accompanied by pain, swelling, in some cases, fever and blistering.
Skin pigmentation or sunburn appears 2-3 days after irradiation, and on the 6th-10th day the tan "comes off" - the skin begins to peel off. The ability to sunbathe in all people is different.
According to the reaction to UV radiation, human skin is divided into 6 types (Fitzpatrick skin types):
1st type - never sunbathe, always burn (often have very white skin, blond hair, light eyes);
2nd type - sometimes they manage to tan, but more often they burn (fair skin, blond or brown hair);
3rd type - they tan well, sometimes they burn;
4th type - always tan, never burn (olive skin, dark hair);
5th-6th types - never burn (dark skin, black hair).
The fact that skin color can predict its sensitivity to sunlight suggests that melanin is the skin's main protector against UV radiation. Blacks, whose skin contains a lot of melanin, never get melanoma, but melanoma inevitably affects albino blacks living in Africa.
The skin of people suffering from vitiligo (white spots on the skin) has different sensitivity to the sun in pigmented and non-pigmented areas. Melanin absorbs UV radiation and acts as a natural UV filter. Keratinocytes receive melanin granules from melanocytes, melanin-producing cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis. The more intense the UV radiation, the more melanin the melanocytes produce.
Skin damaged by UV rays ages. However, this aging has some distinctive features. With true aging, all layers of the skin become thinner. With photoaging, thickening of the epidermis and the stratum corneum occurs. Changes in the intercellular substance of the dermis during photoaging are uneven - along with normal collagen fibers, accumulations of amorphous atypical material consisting of elastin are found in it.
The ability to synthesize collagen and other components of the intercellular substance of the dermis in photodamaged skin is preserved, so many signs of photoaging are reversible. A characteristic sign of photoaging are spider veins (spiders, reticulum) and age spots (lentigo). Together, all these symptoms give a characteristic picture of photoaging, which gave scientists reason to distinguish it as an independent form of aging.
Another negative consequence of UV radiation is photodermatitis - a violent inflammatory reaction of the skin with the formation of blisters. The causes of photodermatitis are different.
Sensitivity to the sun can be caused by any disease, or it can appear as a result of cosmetic procedures (dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, peeling, epilation). Sometimes photodermatitis appears after certain drugs (sulfonamides, tetracyclines, psoralens, some antidepressants).
A substance that makes the skin more sensitive to UV radiation is called a photosensitizer. The role of a photosensitizer can be played by cosmetic components - some preservatives, a number of essential oils and even UV filters. Therefore, if, after going outside, the skin suddenly blistered and inflamed, then the first thing to do is remember if you have taken any medications and have not applied a new day cream to your skin.
And if you have had laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, epilation, etc., you must use sunscreens with 100% UV absorption (for example, based on titanium dioxide).
Photoaging, unlike normal aging, is treatable. Of course, it is not possible to completely rejuvenate the skin, however, to a large extent, changes in the skin caused by UV radiation are reversible. For the treatment of photodamaged skin, peeling with alpha-hydroxy acids (ANA) is used, which stimulate increased peeling of the upper layer of the skin, accelerate the renewal of the epidermis and enhance collagen synthesis, as well as preparations containing retinoic acid.
How to protect yourself from UV radiation
It is impossible to constantly hide from the sun, and it is not necessary. However, precautions should be taken to protect against excessive UV radiation.
There are three main ways to protect:
If possible, avoid direct sunlight;
Wear clothing that protects the skin from the sun;
Use sunscreens containing UV filters.
The first method seems at first glance the simplest, but in reality it is not always feasible. As for clothing, materials such as silk and polyester provide the best protection. In general, the thicker the fabric, the better it protects the skin from UV rays. But there are also difficulties with clothes, especially on a hot sunny day or on the beach. Therefore, the most reliable and “convenient” protection are sunscreens containing UV filters.
Sunscreens fall into several categories.
Sun creams are needed in order to sunbathe without burning. They contain UV filters that absorb UV-B rays. This is, for example, Firstan Cream SPF 8, manufactured by INTEGRE (Heliosystem line). However, it should be remembered that the cause of photoaging is mainly UV-A radiation, from which sunscreens do not protect.
Creams "anti-sun" contain broad-spectrum UV filters that block the entire UV range. Such a remedy, for example, is Firstan Milcream SPF15 cream, manufactured by INTEGRE (Heliosystems line). This hypoallergenic cream contains micronized titanium dioxide - a physical filter with a high degree of protection and tyrosine - a substance that activates melanogenesis. Flax seed extract - a natural antioxidant - enhances the protective effect of the cream.
It is these remedies that are the best protection against photoaging and reduce the risk of malignant neoplasms. They are also used in case of increased skin sensitivity to sunlight. Under the influence of UV radiation, free radicals form in the skin. The entire antioxidant system of the skin rises to fight them. This fight is often unequal, because. Intense solar radiation damages the skin's antioxidant enzymes.
To help your skin fight off free radicals, boost your antioxidant defenses before hitting the beach. To do this, use cosmetic oils containing natural antioxidants, vitamin E and carotenoids: for example, carrot oil, palm or linseed oil. At the same time, cosmetics should not contain unsaturated fatty acids, because. Under the influence of UV radiation, they will oxidize and become a source of free radicals on the skin.
The ambiguous attitude towards tanning for a long time cannot be saved even by the numerous lines of protective equipment that invariably fill store shelves during the holiday season. In any case, the one who protects himself from exposure to ultraviolet rays and with the help of specialized means, and folk methods that have not lost their relevance, turns out to be right. Today, everyone understands that the benefits of sunburn are rather doubtful if you do not protect your skin and hair. If the effect of ultraviolet rays on the hair can not be noticed immediately, then the body immediately gives out all the "appearances and passwords" - the skin is very susceptible to sunlight.
The main thing is discipline
Do not be lazy to prepare your skin for the summer season. Remember: while you are basking on the beach, she endures the attack of ultraviolet rays. If you try, you'll come home from vacation with an even, neat tan, and laziness can lead to sleepless nights spent fighting burns, or dry and weakened skin in need of professional care. Besides, what girl refuses cosmetic procedures and shopping for new sunscreens?! Do an exfoliating treatment before you go on vacation. The skin can be treated with a scrub or go for peeling - this will save it from dead particles and make the tan more even in the future. It is better to do such procedures in advance so that the body can “calm down” and there is no irritation.
How to choose?
Be extremely serious about choosing a sunscreen, because it will protect you from dangerous rays in the first place. You need to choose a tanning product according to your skin type, otherwise the SPF protection level may simply not be enough. According to the level of photosensitivity and the ability to produce melanin, 4 types of skin are distinguished. The first type is people with very pale skin, which is practically unable to produce melanin. Such people can get sunburned very easily, so it is best for them to avoid direct exposure to the sun altogether. For them, products with a degree of protection SPF 30-40 are suitable. The second type was a little more fortunate. These people with fair skin and light brown hair can get a beautiful tan if they use products with SPF 25-30. People with the third type usually tan well due to their naturally darker skin tone. However, they also need to use sunscreen with SPF 15-20. The fourth type includes swarthy people with dark hair and brown eyes. Their skin produces melanin well, so the required SPF level is 10-15.
1. Sun spray SPF 30, Avene.
2. Body cream SPF 30+, Clinique Sun.
3. Tanning activator, Nivea Sun.
4. Sunscreen moisturizing cream-gel for face and body Creme Solaire Confort SPF 20+, Clarins.
5. Sunscreen milk spray for face and body Spray Solaire Lait-Fluide Securite SPF 50+, Clarins.
6. Sun milk with mineral screen SPF 50+, Avene.
Reading the packaging
However, SPF is far from the only indicator that you should pay attention to when choosing a sunscreen. On the packages you can find the abbreviations UVB and UVA. They are responsible for protecting the skin from type B and A rays, respectively. The safest ratio of these indicators for the skin is 1/3. When planning a vacation near the water, choose products with the designations water resistance (resistant to washing off with water) or water proof (practically not washed off). It is better to apply the product 15-20 minutes before sun exposure. At the same time, do not be lazy to update the layer every 2-4 hours. If you have chosen a product that is washed off during swimming, then after bathing the skin will need a new portion of protection.
An important point is the choice of the desired consistency. Sunscreens can be presented as a cream, milk, oil, gel or spray. For oily and combination skin, liquid forms are more suitable. They apply well and are not greasy. The cream is ideal for dry and normal skin: they moisturize and protect at the same time. Only people with dark skin can afford the oil, as it usually has a low degree of protection from UV rays.
1. Sun Regenerating Body Milk Firming & Comforting Radiant Tan SPF 30 Sun Age Control, Lancaster.
2. Soothing hydrating mask, Avene.
3. Anti-inflammatory moisturizer Clean-Ac Hydrant Apaisant, Avene.
4. Body Butter Deep Comfort Body Butter, Clinique.
5. Thermal Spring Water, Avene.
Fix the result
Skin care doesn't have to end with beach treatments. Arriving at home or in a hotel, it is imperative to cleanse the skin with water and mild detergents. You can not use scrubs, because the skin is already irritated after exposure to UV rays. It is better to thoroughly moisturize it with a cream, milk or emulsion. At the same time, pay attention to water-based care cosmetics: it is easily absorbed and does not clog pores. Look for panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and meadowfoam oil (limmanthes alba) in body moisturizers. A good helper on vacation is thermal water.
In order to protect the skin after sunburn, you can use vitamin A mixed with cream. To prolong the effect of sunburn, you need to stop using soap and shower gels for a while. After all, the alkali contained in these products literally removes the top layer of the skin. Instead, you can take a chamomile bath or use oils. Hot baths, saunas, and swimming pools also worsen the condition of the skin after sunburn.
Remember that your main weapon is hydration. On vacation, the skin loses moisture much more actively (especially from the second to the fourth day of being at the beach), so take the time to apply moisturizers before and after sunbathing.
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Section Articles
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K eye Chanel. An influential woman in every way. Her every word, gesture was caught by journalists and fans. According to legend, it was with her light hand that tanning became fashionable. Returning to Paris from a cruise on the Cote d'Azur, she appeared before journalists and fans ... with a tan. That was immediately picked up as a new trend. Well, fashionistas of the 1920s can be understood, because it was easy to get a tan, and they stopped drinking vinegar in order to make their skin pale, and drawing veins on their hands with a blue pencil.
Together with visible light and the thermal energy of the sun, all inhabitants of the globe are affected by ultraviolet radiation (UV).
The World Health Organization has called UV carcinogenic to humans because its role in the development of major types of skin cancer has been proven: basal cell carcinoma (basalioma), squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
What is UV radiation
The spectrum of UV radiation covers wavelengths from 100 to 400 nm. Three parts of the spectrum are fundamentally different from each other:
- UV-C rays(length 100-280 nm) - the shortest and strongest in impact - stops the natural barrier - the ozone layer (we will not dwell on them).
- UV-B rays(length 280-315 nm) - up to 90% is absorbed by ozone, water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The remaining 10%, acting on the top layer of the skin, contribute to the appearance of redness, burns.
- UV-A rays(length 315-400 nm) - are not subject to the atmosphere and, reaching unprotected skin, can cause skin damage, leading to photoaging, cancer, melanoma.
World programs for the prevention of skin cancer
What do we have today? By and large, only 3 countries in the world - Australia, Brazil and the United States - have launched large-scale skin cancer prevention education campaigns - in schools, media, workplaces, on beaches ...
- In Brazil, even tattoo artists were given a course on diagnosing skin cancer and melanoma.
- Pragmatic Australians considered the damage done to the treasury by excessive love for the sun. And we developed a prevention campaign at the state level, starting with cartoons for the little ones. Since 1985
- The American Academy of Dermatology annually sponsors a national education program to train students in sun protection skills - Sun Wise School Program. For 30 years, a special form of screening has been carried out - an examination by a dermatologist of only those individuals who independently found some changes in their skin, i.e. screening through the prism of self-awareness of the individual. As a result of public awareness and timely referral to dermatologists, 92% of newly diagnosed melanomas were less than 1.5 mm thick. And this is almost a guarantee of healing. Melanoma cures - "Queens" of oncology!
Why is it so important on a global scale?
WHO says: 4 out of 5 skin cancers are preventable because we can prevent a significant part of the action of UV rays.
“A good cream is expensive,” is the first thing I often hear during a consultation. “You already have the most effective means!” - I say and see eyes widening in surprise.
Effective UV Remedies
1. Shadow
Shade - just try to be in the shade during the hours of maximum solar activity! Plan your day, for example, using a mobile weather application that shows the UV index in real time: if it is > 3, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15. For example, in the standard Weather application on the iPhone, this index is on the last line of weather characteristics..
2. Clothing
Your clothes! Look at the photo: the shirt protects better than the most modern filters.
For clothes there is UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor - ultraviolet protection factor), which indicates how many "units" of ultraviolet will pass through the fabric. For example, UPF 50 means that one unit out of 50 will reach the skin.
As it was found out, blue and red colors clothes provide better protection than white and yellow.
Even more effective protection of dense fabrics. In addition, the dye is also important:
Natural white linen has UPF 10; dyed with natural dyes in a dark color - UPF> 50, but synthetic dyes for flax do not add protective properties.
- Cotton:
Bleached cotton UPF 4 (almost all factory-made whites); unbleached, natural dye-dyed cotton (green, brown, beige) - 46-65 UPF.
Cotton loses its properties when wet - this is due to the weaving of threads - "holes" are formed through which drops of water can focus the sun's rays and cause a burn. In general, experts say, the protective properties of linen are better than cotton.
Life hack: wash cotton with liquid detergent - there is an optical brightener, which, with repeated washing, will only increase the level of protection due to settling on the fabric. I draw your attention to the fact that chlorine is not an optical brightener and only worsens the protection.
But what about silk? Apart from aesthetic and tactile pleasure, there is not much to count on: UPF of silk = 0. But it gains a little strength when wet - it becomes denser, but not enough to be relied upon.
3. Headdress
Complement the image - ideal, according to scientists - a headdress - a hat with a brim of 3 inches (7.62 cm) - this will protect your face, ears, and neck.
4. Sunglasses
Sunglasses can provide up to 100% UVA and UVB protection. Pay attention to the markings:
- UV 400,
- general,
- high UV protection,
- Blocks at least 80%UVB,
- 55% UVA (should be at least 50%) -
You can buy these glasses with confidence.
Alas, glasses can play a cruel joke if they turn out to be not sunscreen, but simply with tinted lenses - you should check your glasses in optics on special equipment. If there are no protective filters, the pupil will be dilated and even more damaging rays will enter the eye than if you were without glasses.
By the way, the prices for sunglasses are quite democratic: a worthy option can be purchased within 2000 rubles.
5. Sunscreen
Now it's time for sunscreen.
2 mg/cm2- this amount of funds is recommended by manufacturers to be applied to parts of the body that are not covered by clothing every 2 hours being in the sun.
Apply, don't rub. This is fundamentally important for the formation of a continuous thick protective layer. How are we doing? Methodically, diligently rub sunscreen from head to toe.
Important! If you apply a thin layer of cream with a high SPF, the level of protection against UVA drops more than against UVB.
Consider an example:
- Given: Height 170 cm, weight 60 kg. Calculate the required amount of cream (body surface area under the swimsuit can be neglected).
- Solution: body surface area \u003d √170x60 / 3600 \u003d 1.68 m2 \u003d 168,000 cm2 x 2 mg \u003d 336,000 mg \u003d 33.6 g
- Answer: 33.6 g. This is how much you need to apply every 2 hours, while under the open sun.
How much sunscreen should be applied?
Use the Non-Profit Australian Campaign's Sunshine Calculator to calculate the amount of cream you need for your individual needs, based on clothing, shoes, height and weight. Simple and clear! http://www.sunsmart.com.au/suncreen-calculator/tool.asp
Or remember a simple algorithm: one teaspoon for each zone:
- for face, neck and ears
- for each limb
- for the front half of the body
- for the back half of the body
- Total - 7 teaspoons(about 35 ml) on the entire surface of the body every 2 hours.
Sunscreen: myths and reality
Sunscreen is the most attractive product, how many myths are associated with it ...
Myth 1.
The higher the SPF, the better the protection!
Reality: SPF - sun protection factor - is nothing more than an indicator of the effectiveness of protection against B-rays. Protection against UVA rays is labeled separately or covered under Broad spectrum - a wide range of protection.
Super-High SPF (>50) give a false sense of security: there is no burn (UVB rays are blocked well), and the cumulative effect of UFA will be very dramatic in the long term - "senile or liver spots", sun allergies are flowers compared to skin cancer and melanoma.
Thus, since 2007, the US FDA has been fighting against overstatement on the SPF label, because:
- cream with SPF 15 already absorbs 93% of UVB rays
- with SPF 30 - 97%
- with SPF 50 - 98%
Moreover, such a giant as Procter & Gamble signed up that it is practically IMPOSSIBLE in reality to comply with all the test conditions in order to receive the number indicated on the label‼ Thank you for your honesty. In the test from SPF 100, “horns and legs” remained - only 37 - this is how much the manufacturer should indicate on the package, to be honest!
Myth 2.
Water resistance
Reality: Salt water for 40 minutes washes off the cream! Unless otherwise stated on the label. Look for a time indication, for example: Water resistant 80 minutes.
Myth 3.
Substances with an anti-inflammatory effect in the composition are good:
- licorice extract
- chamomile
- allantoin, etc.
Reality: their effect (reduce pain, redness) can last more than 6 hours after application! It makes you want to soak up a little longer under the sun - and this is already a threat of abuse of the sun.
Myth 4.
Physical filters - zinc and titanium oxides - are harmful to the skin
Reality: The FDA and European regulators have checked this - the nanoparticles do not penetrate the skin.
Their advantages:
- have a good balance between protection from two types of UV
- due to the inert coating, they do not react when exposed to UV with the formation of free radicals
- but when combined with Avobenzone (the best UFA filter), they reduce the effectiveness of its protection
Their cons:
In 2006, titanium dioxide was recognized as a carcinogen - a substance that can cause a malignant process. Large doses of it can be obtained by inhalation of sunscreen sprays with systematic use. In addition, sprays do not meet the application requirements: it is difficult to apply them in a uniform and thick layer, so I do not recommend this form for use.
Myth 5.
Chemical filters - the best and most modern
Reality: many of them negatively affect the endocrine system
Anti-rating of chemical filters in sunscreens
1.Oxybenzone- Found in 70% of sunscreens. It was originally patented as being able to reduce the redness of the skin after sunburn. But:
- estrogen-like action, linked to endometriosis
- alters thyroid hormones
- high risk of allergies
- in animal experiments shows hormone-like activity in the reproductive system and thyroid gland
- allergy risk
3. Homosalate
- damages estrogens, androgens, progesterone
- its decay products are toxic
The above chemical filters found in breast milk breastfeeding women who used sunscreen.
In 2010, Margaret Schlumpf from the University of Zurich detected at least 1 cream "chemical" in 85% of milk samples from Swiss mothers. How this affects the child's body is still unknown to medical science. And will the answer to this question be found if the same titanium dioxide, recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, is considered “suspicious” by Rospotrebnadzor, which does not prevent it from being one of the most popular dyes in the confectionery industry - E171 (M&Ms, Skittles, etc. ). Based on the totality of factors affecting health, it is almost impossible to single out a specific “culprit” in the occurrence of a disease in a child. Therefore, it is so important to adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle in a comprehensive manner.
Remember the Best Chemical Filters in Sunscreens
1. Avobenzone– the best UFA filter to date! Unstable in sunlight unless Octisalate is included in the cream
2. Mexoryl SX- well protects against UFA, stable. Safe.
Excipients in sunscreens
Auxiliary substances can contribute to the reaction to sunscreen, so we read the composition of the cream:
- Methylisothiazolinone, or MI, preservative - "Allergen of the Year 2013" according to the American Contact Dermatitis Society.
- Vitamin A(retinol palmitate) - accelerates the development of skin tumors and other diseases when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight. Therefore, cosmetic procedures with vitamin A are recommended to be postponed to the evening in order to avoid a reaction with direct exposure to the sun. The Norwegian health authorities warn against the use of vitamin A products in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Vitamins A, C and E, which are often added to the cream, are unstable when heated and stored for a long time. So, we protect any cream from direct sunlight and do not store it until next summer.
Some of the top-rated American experts available in Russia are:
- Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face, SPF 50
- COOLA product line
- COOLA Suncare Baby Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer, SPF 50
- COOLA Suncare Sport Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
- COOLA Suncare Sport Tint Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
- Neutrogena line of products
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 30
"Healthy tan"
Research on sunscreens is still ongoing.
Remember that "healthy tan", as well as "healthy" does not exist.
Sunburn is a protective reaction of the skin to the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, and the best and safest protection is shade and clothing.
Useful: You can check your sunscreen at http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen
We bask in the sun and do not even think about the fact that processes are currently taking place in our skin aimed at protecting it from ultraviolet radiation. The skin constantly stands guard over our interests, and no matter what it faces, since it has a fairly decent arsenal of tools that allow it to successfully cope with many dangers. It is about the ways of counteracting various stimuli, i.e. about the protective mechanisms of the skin, and will be discussed in this article.
The protective function of the skin is leading and has many mechanisms, since it must protect us from influences of various nature: mechanical, physical and chemical.
Protective mechanisms of the skin in the table
| Type of impact | Skin defense mechanism |
|---|---|
| Pressure, impact, friction |
|
| Cold |
|
| Warm |
|
| UV radiation |
|
| Chemical substances |
|
| pathogenic microorganisms |
|
| drying out |
|
Protection against physical impact: cold, heat, ultraviolet radiation.
Temperature regulation
In order to ensure thermoregulation, the skin uses a complex mechanism. Cold and heat receptors in the skin tell the brain about changes in temperature. The brain, in turn, mobilizes its own regulatory mechanisms in the skin. When exposed to high temperatures, both from the inside and outside, the skin reacts by dilating blood vessels and intense sweating, thereby achieving a cooling effect. When exposed to low temperatures, the blood vessels, on the contrary, constrict so that less heat is lost. Trembling and tapping teeth help to improve blood flow and heat inflow into muscle tissue.
UV Protection
0.4 percent of UVB rays reach the basal layer of the epidermis, which is at the border with the dermis. This process can cause sunburn, damage to genetic material and the development of skin cancer. With the assistance of free radicals, rays of this type will gradually program the skin for premature aging.
Type A ultraviolet rays penetrate even deeper, reach the connective tissue of the dermis and provoke the development of various disorders. Infrared radiation is able to penetrate into the hypodermis - the last layer of the skin. Until now, nothing is known about its negative effect on the skin, since studies have not yet been completed. In addition, infrared radiation is actively used in the treatment of certain diseases, for example, with muscle pain, heart problems and rheumatism.
The skin is protected from exposure to harmful radiation in various ways:
Pigmentation
Special cells are responsible for skin pigmentation or tanning melanocytes, which are formed in the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells produce the pigment melanin, which, lining the cells of the upper layer of the epidermis, protects them from exposure to sunlight, since it has the ability to scatter and absorb sunlight. In addition, melanin is an excellent helper in the fight against free radicals, as it is able to catch them.
The formation of thickening in the stratum corneum
Under conditions of exposure to ultraviolet rays of type B, the process of cell division in the basal layer of the epidermis is accelerated, so a large number of cells reach the skin surface, which contributes to the thickening of the stratum corneum and the formation of a kind of "shield against sunlight". In addition, the stratum corneum of the epidermis contains a large amount of keratin, which is able to absorb ultraviolet rays of type B. When the radiation intensity subsides, the stratum corneum of the skin returns to its normal pattern of operation, becoming thinner and more sensitive again.
However, despite the existence of some mechanisms to counteract ultraviolet radiation, its excess can provoke the development of irreversible processes, namely skin cancer.
Protection against mechanical impact: pressure, shock, friction.
Depreciation
The second layer of the skin, namely the dermis, is made up of collagen and elastin fibers, which give the skin strength and help it stretch. Thus, any short-term force impact, for example, a blow, will meet the resistance of these fibers, which have the ability to stretch and return to their original position. The mechanism will act like a spring, which will first compress and then straighten out. In this case, the collagen fibers will stretch along the tension axis, and the elastin fibers will return the skin to its original position.
Thickening of the stratum corneum
Prolonged pressure or friction on the skin creates conditions for thickening the stratum corneum of the skin. Point pressure on the skin causes it to grow outward in the form of a cone, which, for example, occurs during the formation of a common callus.
Fat pads in the hypodermis
The body stores fat reserves in the hypodermis. They act as a cushion and help to deal with external impacts.
The formation of a water sac
When rubbed, the skin produces tissue fluid between the outer layer of skin and the layer of skin lining behind it. This forms a water sac, better known to us as a corn. Sometimes it happens that during friction the capillaries are also damaged, then the so-called blood callus is formed.
Chemical protection: chemicals, allergens, pathogens.
To protect against chemical attack, the skin uses the body's ingenious defense systems, namely the hydrolipid film and epidermal fats.
Hydrolipid film
The surface of the skin is covered with an invisible protective film. It is this emulsion of water and fat that protects the skin from the effects of bacteria and fungi. In addition, it allows the skin to remain elastic. At the same time, various components are isolated in the hydrolipidic film, which ensure that this protective mechanism is constantly updated and can continuously perform its functions. Thus, the main components of the hydrolipidic film include:
- Fats from the sebaceous glands;
- keratinized dead cells;
- Substances (protein breakdown products) resulting from the death of keratinocytes;
- Water that is formed from the circulating blood and penetrates through the dermis into the epidermis, evaporating ultimately from the surface of the skin (transepidermal water).
In healthy skin, everything is in balance, this also applies to the level of moisture and the amount of fat in the hydrolipidic film, while the features of the hydrolipidic film are genetically determined. In addition, the properties of this protective mechanism vary depending on the time of day, the season, the level of hormones in the body, age, hygiene habits, air humidity, nutrition and being in various states (stress, illness).
The fatty part of the hydrolipidic film is 90 percent composed of sebaceous glands, the distribution and production of which, again, depends on many factors. The skin of the face, shoulder girdle and areas of sweat grooves have a large number of sebaceous glands, while their number is limited on the limbs. In addition, the sebaceous glands work at half strength during the cold season, namely in winter, and as they grow older. At the minimum of their capabilities, they work for the elderly. In addition, there are people whose skin naturally produces a small amount of oil. It should be noted that healthy skin is able to tolerate some fluctuations in the water-fat balance of the hydrolipid film.
Levelskin pH
An important feature of the hydrolipidic film is its acidic environment, which is formed by the lactic, amino acid and free fatty acids contained in it. Thus, the aqueous part of the hydrolipidic film forms acid protective shell, which has a pH of approximately 5.5. This level of acidity keeps the skin healthy.
Some areas of our body, such as the armpits and genital area, have a slightly acidic pH level (about 6.5). It is here that the "weak point" of the acidic protective shell is located, since in conditions of low acidity these zones are exposed to various pathogens and yeast fungi.
However, the control of pathogenic microorganisms is not the only task of the acid protective film. It plays an important role in the formation of epidermal fats and the actual impenetrable skin screen. Some of the skin enzymes (ceramides) that are responsible for the formation of these lipids are only active in an acidic environment.
Impermeable skin screen
The surface of the skin is lined with the stratum corneum, which in turn consists of 20 layers layered on top of each other, and the main building material of this layer are corneocytes. This is what allows the stratum corneum to perform a protective function, which is to prevent exposure to harmful substances and regulate the consumption and release of fluid by the epidermis.
Without the stratum corneum, we would lose up to 20 percent of fluid daily. Moreover, even the smallest damage to the skin implies replenishment of fluid losses. The regulation of the moisture level of the skin and the preservation of its elasticity is possible due to the following mechanisms.
