We love the sun, and he loves us, although, without his will, he does us more harm and less good. Burns, blisters, even skin cancer in more serious situations, are negative effects of UV exposure.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Every day, nearly twenty Americans die from melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer whose main cause is exposure to UV rays.
The good news is that these effects can be reduced with just one product added to your daily skin care routine - SPF cream. sun protection ( SPF ).
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About SPF - what it means, types of SPF and SPF values
Daily SPF - areas where SPF is applied
SPF, your skin's friend, UV enemy - why do we use SPF?
1. About SPF - what it means, types of SPF and SPF values
Contrary to popular belief, SPF does not tell us how long we can stay at the beach without getting burned. We are all under the same Sun, but each has a different skin type, each is exposed at different times of the day or year, and lives in a different corner of the Earth. This means that everyone is affected in a different way by UV rays.
What does SPF mean?
SPF or Sun Protection Factor (sun protection factor), found in creams and some make-up products, refers to the product's ability to block a smaller or larger amount of UVB rays before they reach the skin . The degree of sun protection offered by a product is indicated by the SPF value, which can have various values, from 15 to 100. For example, a cream with SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. One with SPF 50, 98% of UVB rays. A high SPF doesn't necessarily mean more protection, but it can help when reapplying isn't possible. Any sunscreen becomes less effective two hours after application.
UVA and UVB rays
The sun emits two types of radiation, UVA and UVB. UVA rays work deep in the skin, causing or deepening wrinkles, aging it prematurely. UVB rays, somewhat stronger and potentially carcinogenic, attack the surface of the skin, where they cause irritation and burns if exposure to the sun is prolonged and the skin is unprotected. SPF indicates the degree of protection a cream offers against UVB rays, but not UVA.
For effective protection, "SPF is king", say dermatologists, but not anyway. Most make-up products that contain SPF protect against UVB rays, but they don't block UVA rays, which are responsible for the appearance of fine lines and age spots. If you rely on them to protect your skin, they may not be enough. Make-up with SPF, but without a special sun cream, will leave your skin still unprotected. Used as a base, a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen or moisturizer forms a strong barrier against UV rays. Broad spectrum on the label of an SPF cream means that the product also offers protection against UVA rays. It's important to differentiate between products that contain SPF and those that actually protect. Usually, SPF 30 is the accepted number for protection.
But UV rays do not only affect the skin, and not only during the summer. The neck and hands also suffer, just as much. Often, precisely these areas, the most exposed, are forgotten, which is why they are also the ones that first reveal your age. Using an SPF cream is the easiest way to prevent premature skin aging caused by UV exposure. Whether it's sunny, cloudy, summer or winter, morning or evening, an SPF cream is indispensable for skin care. In winter, an intensely moisturizing formula will protect exposed areas. During the summer, a light cream that does not load will be enough.
Types of sun protection factor
There are two types of sun protection factor namely chemical sun protection factor and mineral sun protection factor.
Chemical sunscreen is found in most SPF 30+ lotions, but experts are skeptical about its effectiveness, finding it rather harmful, potentially allergenic and estrogenic. Mineral sunscreen relies on physical agents to block UV radiation. Compared to the chemical SPF, which acts only after the UV rays have penetrated the skin (sunscreen), the mineral SPF creates a physical barrier on the skin, which reflects the UV rays, and does not absorb them (sunblock). Perhaps the biggest advantage of this type of SPF is broad spectrum (UVA+UVB protection).
Skin will always need protection from UV rays. Slightly more light skin. In all cases, low sun protection creams or tanning lotions, which do more harm than good, should be avoided. Moreover, exposures at lunchtime (10:00-14:00), when the sun is extremely strong, are to be avoided.
2. SPF used daily - areas where the SPF is applied
Sunscreen products have their origins in ancient times, even in Ancient Egypt. Back then, people used herbal concoctions to combat the effects of sun exposure. The Greeks used olive oil, and the Amerindians used oil from pine needles or sunflowers. Some of these ingredients are still in many SPF formulas today.
SPF is an important part of your daily skincare routine. The face, neck and hands need it a lot, but there are also areas that, however thorough the care rituals are, are often overlooked. Their need to be protected from UV rays is, however, as great as the others. Lips , the sensitive skin around the eyes, legs, ears, and chest are exposed and typically unprotected, either because applying cream is difficult or because they don't seem to need SPF as much. It seems that precisely these forgotten areas are also the ones where skin cancer develops most often. Sunscreen should be applied daily, regardless of the weather, and reapplied every two hours, dermatologists say.
The ears. SPF cream, preferably broad-spectrum sun protection 30+, is applied to all areas of the outer ear, from the front to the back, including the earlobe.
The scalp. Although it may seem like it, your hair is not made to block UV rays. For effective protection, SPF should always be applied to the scalp and hairline. A hat can also be of great help.
Lips and the area around the eyes. A eye cream delicate skin and a conditioner with SPF 30 or higher can protect the sensitive skin in these areas. The balm, easier to use, must be reapplied every two hours. in his absence, face cream regular, with sun protection factor, can take its place.
The legs. Although less exposed in the cold season, the feet need help in the fight against UV rays. Where the skin is not protected by clothing, an SPF cream should be applied.
At the beach, the same sensitive areas should be protected, but the skin around the elbows, knees and behind the knees, on the back, soles and palms should receive just as much attention. Burns in these areas of the body are extremely unpleasant and should be avoided.
The products are always applied at least 15-30 minutes before exposure to the sun, so that the skin has enough time to absorb the protection factor, and reapplied every two to three hours, to maintain its effectiveness. If the skin comes into contact with water, reapplication upon exiting the water is mandatory. Always apply a generous layer of product and spread evenly, passing over exposed areas several times. Use an SPF cream even when it's cloudy and apparently cool. UV rays can penetrate through clouds and, by implication, reach your exposed skin.
3. SPF, your skin's friend, UV enemy - why do we use SPF? 
The SPF is used by applying to the skin or cutaneous, in a generous layer, where, once applied, it creates a protective barrier against UV rays.
There are several sun protection factor products on the market today. There are creams with SPF, extremely effective, sprays, with slightly less power hydration , but easier to apply, make-up products, necessarily combined with a sunscreen cream, but also hair products that fight dehydration, provide shine and prevent hair from fading. They are not chosen anyway, but carefully, depending on the skin type and needs. For daily use, a mineral SPF cream with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (well tolerated by sensitive skin and often found in baby formulas) is recommended, less irritating and more moisturizing than chemical SPFs.
Sunscreen helps the skin protect itself from UV rays more than it can on its own, but even the best product can fall short of the expected results if it's not applied correctly. Dermatologists recommend reapplying the product, regardless of formula, brand or factor, every two to three hours.
Why SPF?
SPF keeps us away from sunburn, dehydration and premature skin aging, and most importantly, from any form of skin cancer. While some recognize its effectiveness, others, on the contrary, dispute it. While opinions are still divided, we must not forget that a good relationship with the sun is not only built with that. There are other measures that bring us "closer" to it. There are clothes that offer protection, detergents that block UV rays, even fruits (grapes, pomegranates) that help the skin protect itself from harmful rays. Exposure should be limited, within the range of the day considered safe and always check the UV index. Using smartphone weather apps you can check UVI. A UVI of up to 2 allows exposure for about an hour with sunscreen and sunglasses. A UVI between 10 and 15 indicates that the midday sun should be avoided and both sun protection and glasses, a hat or an umbrella should be used.
The effectiveness of a product with sun protection factor is given by the correct use of the formula. Remember to choose a broad spectrum SPF 30+ cream, reapply the product every two to three hours, always check the expiry date and how strong the sun is. Some days, more than others, the damage it can do is great. Get the vitamin D you need, but don't let it affect your skin. If he is not aware of the power he has, you are. Build a good relationship with the sun and enjoy healthy and always young skin!
Don't forget to smile and use SPF!
Photo source: Shutterstock.com
References: Everydayhealth.com