When should you apply lotion?
The question of when and how often you should apply sunscreen is not an easy one to answer. You have to know and pay attention to these aspects:
- The expected UV dose: Which sunscreen you should use when, depends on the strength of the UV radiation. The length of time you stay outside also plays a role.
- The skin type: How sensitive is your skin What is your history of skin cancer prevention?
- The sunscreen used: Does it contain controversial ingredients?
- The vitamin D level: Do you have too little vitamin D in your blood? Do you take vitamin D as a dietary supplement?
- Reflections: are you near water, sand, or snow? The reflections from these surfaces can significantly increase the total radiation. Unlike other types of surface such as earth or grass, these surfaces hardly absorb UV radiation, but reflect it like a mirror.
Using sunscreen properly: that's what the expert organizations say:
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH):
- Avoid sunburn at all costs.
- Wear protective clothing (including a hat and sunglasses).
- Better to stay in the shade from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Use sunscreen with you UVB and UVA-Filter on the uncovered skin. Make sure your product bears the UVA protection logo.
- Apply sunscreen thickly. Most people use less sunscreen than the manufacturers provide.
- Calculations show that with a cleverly chosen stay outdoors enough vitamin D can be formed without exposing the skin to strong sunlight. If you want to do that, you should do it in the early morning or late afternoon when the solar radiation is less strong.
- Skincancer.org:
- Sun cream is an important part of good sun protection and should be supplemented by additional measures such as long clothing, shade, sunglasses, and sun hats.
- Daily application of sunscreen with SPF 15 can reduce the risk of white skin cancer decrease by 40 %. That of black skin cancer can even reduce sunscreen by 50 %. In addition, this slows down skin aging.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you are outside all day (even on cloudy days). Don't forget to renew your sunscreen regularly. The sun cream should protect against both UVA and UVB and, if possible, be waterproof.
- Find shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat, good clothes, and sunglasses.
- World Health Organization (WHO):
- Avoid the midday sun, look for shade, and check it out UV index forecast at.
- Wear a hat, clothes made of thick fabric, and sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, reapplying it every two hours if you are outdoors or have been in the water.
- Avoid going to the solarium.
- Children are particularly at risk and should therefore be particularly well protected.
Basically, you should weigh the following factors:
- UV radiation causes a number of known and serious damages.
- Too little vitamin D can have serious consequences for your health and your immune system.
- Little researched possible effects of sunscreen ingredients.
sun-a-wear cannot make the decision of whether and how to deal with the sun for you. However, our sensor and the app can help you correctly assess the UV radiation to which you are exposed. Our app gives you tips on which protective measures are recommended by experts in which situation. Us it reminds you when to replace your sunscreen.
Further reading:
Sources:
- Skincancer.org
- World Health Organization (General Tips)
- World Health Organization (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Report of the Federal Nutrition Commission
- Federal Food and Veterinary Office on sunscreen
- Advice from the FOPH
- FOPH factsheet on vitamin D and UV radiation
