Nowadays people spend most of their time outside due to busy work and daily life which makes them exposed to the sun. UV rays in the sun are one of the most important causes of skin cancer in the world. And that’s why sunscreen products have become so popular.
These products are one of the essentials for skin health today. They are used both in hot and cold seasons.
Why should we use sunscreen?
Sunlight contains two types of UV rays called UVA and UVB. These rays have short wavelengths and are not visible to the naked eye. If these rays are constantly shining on the skin, they cause genetic mutations in skin cells and cause skin cancer. One of the most common and deadly cancers is called melanoma.
The UVA beam is so permeable that it passes through the glass and penetrates deep into the skin. This radiation causes premature ageing, wrinkles and eventually skin cancer if exposed to constant radiation. UVB rays are the sun’s rays that cause sunburn, redness and inflammation of the skin. This beam is more dangerous than A beam and has more carcinogenic properties.
What is the meaning of SPF in sunscreen products?
It stands for Sun Protection Factor and shows how much this product protects you from the harms of sunlight. The number of this factor has two types of analysis:
- Increasing the skin’s resistance time: Any number written on the sunscreen about SPF means that it increases the skin’s resistance to the sun’s harmful rays by the same amount.
- UV absorption power: This absorption power is not very different in numbers of this factor and is only 1% indifference, but even 1% is very important for sensitive and irritated skins. For example, SPF15 will absorb 93% of UV rays and SPF30 will absorb 97% of UV rays.
What makes skin sensitive?
Some people’s skin is genetically more sensitive than others, such as light-skinned people. And some will later have a series of sensitive environmental and physiological changes in the skin. But the most important factors that make the skin sensitive can be mentioned the following:
- Frequent use of face soaps with strong cleansing power.
- Use of substances that contain sodium sulfate in their composition.
- Lack of personal hygiene and timely washing of the skin.
- Continued use of skin cosmetics: This is more common in women.
- Frequent stress.
- Dealing with and exposure to some allergenic plants such as nettle.
- Improper use of antibiotics: either on doctor’s prescription or arbitrarily.
Sunscreen products
The use of sunscreen products is not specific to a particular age or gender. Researchers agree that sunscreens should be used at all ages and in all seasons to prevent the harmful effects of UV rays. Of course, these sunscreen products must be suitable and of good quality. The risk of skin cancer can occur for anyone of any age, and a barrier such as a sunscreen is needed to prevent it.