Sea, vacations, maybe friends, family and loved ones.

They all hide joy and carefreeness. 

But how can you continue to enjoy the sun and carefreeness of summer days, protecting your skin from the harmful effects of solar radiation; 

With the right sun protection!

Why is the use of sunscreen important?

Simply put, sunscreen is the shield of protection against solar radiation!

Especially in recent decades, due to environmental pollution and specifically the ozone hole, exposure to solar radiation poses many risks to health: from a simple sunburn or irritation to sunspots, premature aging, and cancer.

However, the most important problem that arises over time is skin cancer. The depletion of the ozone layer has greatly intensified the problem, leaving us more vulnerable and exposed to serious skin diseases.

What is the difference between sunscreens with natural and chemical filters?

Natural filters are those that reflect solar radiation and contain natural oils, such as zinc oxide. On the other hand, chemical filters absorb solar radiation. Both filters have the same effectiveness, it just depends on how they work. If you haven't tried a sunscreen before, do a patch test!

Before applying sunscreen regularly, you can try it for a few days on a small area of ​​skin. This way, if you are sensitive to any substance, you will avoid irritation on your entire face or body!

Sunscreen Products Composition

You can find sunscreen products in the form of cream, stick, and mist. The most common choice is cream, while if you have oily skin, lighter textures such as spray are usually the best options for you!

Proper use of sunscreen products

It is recommended to apply facial and body sunscreens half an hour before exposure to the sun, and they should be reapplied immediately after each swim and always according to the SPF, which indicates the protection time.

How? Read the example below!

For example, if your skin burns in 5 minutes of sun exposure, with an SPF30 sunscreen, you have 30 times more sun protection, therefore protection for 150 minutes!

Sunscreen for Hair

In addition to the body and face, hair also needs sunscreen protection and care. The sun, heat, and sea make hair dull and dehydrated, causing it to break easily and develop split ends in no time. In addition to hats and scarves, which offer protection, there are special hair sunscreens in various forms, such as sprays, lotions, creams, masks, which moisturize and protect from UV radiation.

Sunscreen for Lips

It is also important to protect your lips from sun radiation, as lips contain minimal melanin and therefore have limited defense against the sun. You can find several products in stick form that prevent dryness and cracks on your lips!

Children's & Baby Sunscreens

Babies up to 6 months old should not be exposed to the sun, not even under an umbrella, because their skin is extremely sensitive. For older children, it is recommended to expose them to the sun from 4:00 pm onwards, during hours when the sun is at a lower position.

The sunscreens that should be applied to small children are high protection factor, with natural filters that reflect UVA radiation. The most common form is that of a lotion, which leaves a white film on the skin. Application should be done half an hour before exposure to the sun, as with adults, and should be reapplied at regular intervals.

After the sun, what?

After sun! After sun products relieve any irritation, redness, and burns that the sun may cause, while also hydrating and repairing the skin. Their composition soothes irritations and inflammations and is more effective than simple body lotions for sunburns.

Glossary: Terms you may encounter and need to know

The following terms may be encountered in labels and advertisements for sunscreens:

• UVR: Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight that is divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC depending on wavelength.

• UVA rays: Ultraviolet radiation that is responsible for skin aging because it affects the cells that produce elastin and collagen. It penetrates deeper into our skin and increases the risk of skin cancer. Its effects are present throughout the day, all year round.

• UVB rays: Ultraviolet radiation that is responsible for sunburns, which, when repeated, can cause skin cancer. These rays stay on the surface of the skin and produce melanin. Their effects are more intense in the summer and mainly during midday.

• SPF (Sun Protection Factor): Used to describe the level of protection provided by a sunscreen against harmful UVB radiation from the sun. The number corresponding to the SPF indicates how many times longer one can stay in the sun without burning, compared to the time it takes to burn without sunscreen.
  
  For example, if your skin needs 10 minutes to burn in the sun without sunscreen and you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, then you can stay in the sun for 300 minutes (10 minutes x 30) before burning.

• PA & PPD: These are the two indicators that refer to the protection provided by sunscreen against UVA radiation. The PPD indicator is measured in numbers, while the PA is measured in crosses. Thus, there are 3 levels:

                                            Low UVA protection: PA+ = PPD 2-4

                                            Moderate UVA protection: PA++ = PPD 4-8

                                            High UVA protection: PA+++ = PPD 8 and above

• Broad-spectrum sunscreens: Those that protect us from UVA & UVB rays.