SUN: everything you need to know

16 mag 2018
Tempo di lettura: 2 min

I know, I know... you have been thinking about white sandy beaches for a while now!

The wait is almost over - for some lucky ones that have their summer plans ready at least!

Wether you will we sipping lemonade from a cabana or having a nice BBQ with your friends in the back yard, the only thing that will not change is the inevitable, so longed presence of the SUN.

The lovely sun-kissed summer glow is unbeatable, but you really do not have to forget that your skin needs some extra care and love while being exposed in the sun.

Some BASICS.

What are UVA and UVB?

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is part of the electromagnetic light spectrum that reaches the Earth from the sun. It is invisible to the naked eye. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the longer wave that causes lasting skin damage, skin aging. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the shorter wave UV ray that causes sunburns, skin damage, and can cause skin cancer.

What is SPF?

SPF - Sun Protection Factor - is the measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. For example if your skin starts to get sun burnt after 20 minutes of sun exposure, if you use an SPF 15, it should theoretically extend that time by 15 times, in this case the equivalent of 5 hours more or less. It goes without saying.. the higher the SPF the more "protection" hours you get...

What to do

- Seek the shade, especially between 12 AM and 2 PM.

- It is very important that you use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB), sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher... yes EVERY DAY!!

- Apply at least 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours!

Choosing an SPF

Let's get over the misconception that if it is "cloudy" outside you don't need to wear sunscreen: NOT TRUE, my friends!

On the contrary, you could potentially get a serious sunburn if you spend the whole day outdoors without wearing an SPF, even on a cloudy day.

Now... choosing an SPF that is suitable for your skin type is no joke. My n. 1 suggestion is to go for a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher (make sure it is broad-spectrum). N.2 check for the ingredients. Many products available today combine both chemical (avobenzone-benzophenone) and physical (titanium dioxide- zinc oxide) active sunscreen ingredients. N.3 choose a product that will work for your skin type. Here is a list of products that I recommend...

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