Effective methods of sun protection and skin protection

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Doctor Pham Hong Thai - Aesthetic Center, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
In the sweltering summer sun, you are looking for sunscreen methods to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays that cause the "pain" of tanning, skin pigmentation, brown spots, aging. chemical? The following article will provide you with unique and surprisingly effective sun protection methods.

1. How does ultraviolet rays affect the body?

Ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet rays, also known as UV rays) in sunlight are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light (about 10 nm - 380 nm). There are many different classifications in order of wavelengths from short to long with UVC (wavelength shorter than 280 nm), UVB (280 - 315 nm), UVA (315 - 380 nm). Fortunately, the ozone layer has the effect of blocking sunlight below 280 nm for us.
Benefits of ultraviolet rays: When ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin, it helps the skin to synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption. In addition, in moderate doses, ultraviolet rays also stimulate all processes of the body's own activities.
Harmful effects of ultraviolet rays
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays has the risk of cataracts, retinal burns, corneal aging leading to blindness. Doctors recommend that we need to protect our eyes by glasses that block ultraviolet rays. UVC rays can cause diseases on the skin such as skin cancer, melanoma on the skin... UVB rays stimulate the process of pigmentation causing tanning. Combined with many different factors, UVB rays are also the cause of melasma and freckles. UVA rays easily penetrate the ozone layer, so this is the most common ultraviolet radiation (97%), causing collagen breakage, causing skin to wrinkle and quickly sag. In addition, HEV radiation is high-energy blue light (wavelength 400 - 500 nm) that is very harmful to the skin and eyes. However, HEV is absorbed by dark objects. Exposure to the sun for a long time, absorbing a lot of ultraviolet rays can cause the body to fall into a state of nervous inhibition, depression...

2. Methods of sun protection, skin protection

Young, healthy skin is a tight, smooth skin, free of major and minor wrinkles, no abnormal pigmentation, no signs of sagging. Sunlight has many benefits, but it also has harmful effects that cause tanning, collagen breakdown, and sagging skin. Overexposure can cause burning, irritation and even skin cancer. Protecting the skin before skin aging is easier than treating it.

2.1. Control sun exposure time

Sunlight before 9am and after 4pm is more or less beneficial for the body. But if you are exposed for more than 60 minutes during this time, you should take measures to protect your skin from the sun.
With intense sunlight, absolutely do not expose to the sun, and at the same time eyes and skin need to be carefully protected. You should choose sunglasses that block UV rays and combine different measures to protect your skin, such as using sunscreen with dark, long-lasting sun protection clothing.

2.2. Choosing sunscreen

Sunscreen ingredients: Methyl Paraben is a common preservative in cosmetics, not excluding sunscreen, but many years ago this substance was banned because it caused cancer and breast cancer development. Retinyl Palmitate or Retinol Palmitate is very popular in the ingredients of creams, cosmetics, and sunscreens. European scientists prove that this substance is the culprit causing skin irritation, even skin cancer and is very harmful to the fetus. You should not choose sunscreen ingredients that have Methyl Paraben and Retinyl Palmitate.
Sunscreen index : UVC is blocked by the ozone layer, UVA is represented by the PA parameter and the plus sign (+) written on the box. The more plus sign (+), the stronger the sun protection time and sun protection ability. Each plus sign (+) represents 4 hours of sun protection. PA++ sun protection for 8 hours. SPF is information about the ability to block UVB rays, the higher the SPF, the longer the sun protection time. However, there is a rule of thumb that in order to push up sun protection, chemicals such as Zinc oxide, Titanium oxide, sulisobenzone... have a higher concentration and that's not the skin nutrient you need. SPF = 1 sun protection for 15 minutes, similar SPF = 20 sun protection for 300 minutes. SPF = 50 sun protection for 750 minutes ie more than 10 hours. Based on the time you have to be in the sun, use a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF, not just applying a sunscreen with a higher SPF, the better, on the contrary, overuse is harmful to your health. skin.

2.3. Eat fresh fruit

A recent study by European scientists found that the body with high levels of vitamin C in the blood can neutralize HEV radiation. So fresh fruit in your diet plays an extremely important role in protecting your body from harmful radiation from the sun. You should eat a lot of fruit for effective sun protection.

2.4. Wear dark clothes

HEV radiation has no sunscreen to block, fortunately this is visible light that is almost completely absorbed by dark blocking objects. Tinted car windows and dark clothing can almost block HEV rays very effectively.

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