Some tips to avoid sunburn in summer

July 18, 2018

Everything is fun in the sun until you realize that you should have reapplied more sunscreen. Sunburns are not fun, but more importantly, they are dangerous. This reddening of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun may seem like a temporary irritation, but it can cause lasting damage.

Overexposure to the sun may result in:

• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions due to decreased immune function of the skin
• Spotted pigmentation or discolored areas of the skin
• Sallowness, or yellow discoloration of the skin
• Telangiectasia, or dilation of small blood vessels under the skin. skin
• Elastosis, or the destruction of elastic and collagenous tissues

"UV rays of the sun damage DNA in your skin cells," says Suzanne Olbricht, MD, chief of dermatology at BIDMC. "These DNA changes can be very deep and you will sometimes see the damage in the form of peeling skin."

Olbricht also notes that even if your skin recovers when you are young, extended UV rays can damage the cellular mechanisms that repair DNA. "That's why the older you get, the older your skin gets and the more skin cancers you have," she says. "Your repair mechanisms are damaged, so just a little more sun can really affect your skin's ability to repair itself."

All skin types can burn. Melanin, the component of your skin that determines the pigment, plays a big role in the skin's natural protection against the sun's UV rays. "The darker the skin, the more melanin is present and therefore the greater the UV protection," explains Olbricht. "But no matter the color, your skin can burn, everyone should take precautions while heading for the sun."

Here are some tips to avoid sunburn:

Be demanding with your sunscreen. 19659014] Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against all types of harmful rays, and one with a high sun protection factor (SPF). "SPF measures the protection of the skin compared to the sun protection if you do not wear it," says Olbricht. "For example, if it normally takes 20 minutes for your skin to turn red, a product with SPF 15 usually prevents sunburn 15 times longer."

Generously apply sunscreen and periodically reapply
protection, you usually need an ounce, or a full glbad of sunscreen to cover your entire body, including your face, the ears and scalp. "A rule of thumb to reapply is every two hours," says Olbricht. "But if you swim or sweat a lot, you will want to reapply more often."

Avoid rush hour in the sun.
The sun's rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, which means that your skin is most likely to burn. Look for shade during these busy hours

Wear protective clothing.
Sunglbades with UV protection, a wide-brimmed hat and UPF protective clothing will protect you from the sun. "A lot of summer clothes and children's swimsuits can be found with UPF 50+, which helps block 98% of UVA / UVB rays," Olbricht explains

. by your doctor.
A self-examination of your skin once a month will help you keep track of any irregularities. Learn the motive of all moles, spots or freckles so that you will notice any changes. "Most people have moles, and almost all are harmless," says Olbricht. "But it's important to recognize the changes in a mole, such as its size, shape, or color. If you notice any changes, call your primary care doctor or dermatologist for an examination."