Sun exposure offers benefits such as the production of vitamin D and the regulation of our circadian rhythm, and with it, essential metabolic processes necessary for life. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has negative consequences: it can cause sunburn, phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, skin aging (spots, wrinkles, and loss of firmness), DNA damage, immunosuppression, and skin cancer.
Dr. Christina Schepers, a specialist in medical and surgical dermatology at Clínica Planas, shares some very valuable tips to help protect and enhance skin health while tanning. Keep reading!
Tips to protect our skin
The best way to reduce these harmful effects is to avoid sun exposure during the central hours of the day and to wear clothing that covers exposed areas, as well as a hat and sunglasses. However, if we are going to be exposed to the sun during these times of year, it is important to choose a sunscreen. Although it may seem like a simple task, several factors must be taken into account for it to be truly effective. Sun protection should be INDIVIDUALIZED.
1.First of all, choose the protection factor. This will depend on skin type, phototype—the skin’s resistance to burning—and whether or not one has already been exposed to the sun. Skin that is already tanned will require a lower protection factor than skin that is not, since melanin is a defense mechanism that provides protection against ultraviolet rays.
In general, we can follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology during summer by using:
- A sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher
- Broad-spectrum protection, covering both UVA and UVB radiation, and in some cases also blue light
- A product that is water-resistant
- Next, we need to choose the vehicle (base/excipient) of the sunscreen. For example, acne-prone skin will require a different sunscreen than dry skin. Nowadays, there are sunscreens that include specific active ingredients for certain skin conditions. For instance, skin affected by rosacea will benefit from a sunscreen that also contains substances that regulate inflammation and help reduce erythema or redness. For patients with a history of skin cancer, there are sunscreens that incorporate DNA-repair enzymes, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory substances to help repair sun damage.
- Chemical or physical filters. It has been shown that chemical filters can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Some of them may act as endocrine disruptors and should therefore be avoided. Physical filters should not be in the form of nanoparticles, as these can also be absorbed through the skin. There are also sunscreens that do not contain substances harmful to coral reefs and marine life.
Today, sunscreens are effective from the moment they are applied, so it is no longer necessary to apply them 30 minutes before sun exposure. Tinted sunscreens (with iron oxide) provide greater protection.
A frequent question patients ask is whether sunscreen should be applied before or after moisturizer. Sunscreen is equally effective whether applied before or after moisturizing, but I recommend applying the moisturizer first, as it contains antioxidants that are beneficial to penetrate the skin, and then applying the sunscreen afterward.
Oral photoprotection
In addition, it may be worth considering whether adding oral photoprotection would be beneficial. These are antioxidants taken orally that provide the skin with greater resistance to solar radiation. They contain Polypodium leucotomos, which is obtained from ferns, as well as antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, astaxanthin—which is found in the pigment that gives salmon and certain algae their orange color—selenium, lycopene, lutein, epigallocatechins from green tea, polyphenols from grapes or berries, and beta-carotenes.
It may also be advisable to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D, which plays a role in the proper functioning of the immune system and is important in preventing malignant transformations.
Light therapy
Another tool available to increase the skin’s ability to defend itself against ultraviolet radiation is low-intensity light therapy. In addition to this protective effect, light therapy produces anti-inflammatory benefits, helps regulate cellular functions, has an anti-aging effect, and increases skin luminosity, which can be noticed immediately.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, a diet rich in antioxidants, and, above all, sufficient nighttime rest. It is during the night, while we sleep, that our body resets, regenerates, and rejuvenates, allowing our immune system to function optimally and reverse the daily damage to which we are exposed.
For all these reasons, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist before sun exposure in the summer, in order to choose the most appropriate sunscreen for each individual case and to rule out dermatological conditions, especially cancerous or precancerous lesions.
