Soaking up the sun can be enjoyable, but the effects of UV exposure can be severe. People with fair skin need to protect themselves from burns, and it is also important to protect the eyes and head.
Sun protection
Human skin has the ability to naturally protect itself from the sun: under the influence of the sun's rays, the pigment melanin begins to be produced in the skin, which forms a protective barrier around the cells and prevents the penetration of ultraviolet radiation. The result is a tan. In the representatives of the southern peoples, in the Asian and Negroid races, this process is perfectly adjusted and allows you to defend even from the scorching equatorial sun, but in white people with fair skin, melanin is produced in smaller quantities or almost not produced. As a result, the skin is not protected from the sun's rays, which cause burns. Ultraviolet radiation ages the skin and can cause cancer. Therefore, such people need to use additional means of protection.
Sun protection is also desirable for people with dark skin that never burns: it has been proven that sunbathers are more likely to suffer from skin cancer and look older.
Modern cosmetology offers a wide range of sunscreens for different skin types. These are ointments, creams, milk, suntan sprays with ultraviolet filters in the composition. They have a different spf (sun protection factor): products with spf from 2 to 10 should be used by people with dark skin; products with indicators from 10 to 30 - with a medium phototype, and high spf is intended for people with very light and easily burned skin. The maximum spf level is 50, the figures are higher on packages, this is just a marketing ploy. In men, the skin is generally better protected from the sun, so less strong products can be used. Reapply the cream to the skin every hour or after bathing.
To protect the skin from the sun, it is not enough to use sunscreens; in addition to chemical protection, mechanical protection is necessary. Never sunbathe in the sun, only in the shade, where a significant part of the radiation also penetrates. Take an umbrella with you to the beach or choose a place under a tree. After bathing, thoroughly dry your body with a towel, as water droplets refract the sun's rays and can cause burns.
Protect your face and body with clothing and hats while walking. In the heat, you can wear loose items made of light, lightweight material.
Protecting eyes and head from the sun
The scorching sun damages not only the skin, but also the eyes. Ultraviolet radiation can cause retinal burns, cataracts, or decreased vision. Wear quality sunglasses or a visor cap. Do not buy cheap plastic sunglasses, even the most beautiful and stylish ones, as they do not protect against radiation. If you wear lenses or glasses for vision correction, choose models with UV protection.
Be sure to wear a hat if you are in the scorching sun, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause sun or heat stroke.
