Sun Protection: Myths and Facts

Did you know?

• we don't get the majority of our annual sun dose on holiday, but in everyday life. According to a survey of 2,500 families by the University of Erlangen, only 30% of those surveyed stated that they took sun protection for themselves and their children just as seriously during daily life, as on vacation. It is always necessary to protect your skin when you plan to stay in the sun for a long period of time!
• according to a study by Brown University in Rhode Island, five sunburns before the age of 20 are enough to increase the risk of skin cancer enormously.
• regular visits to the solarium double the risk of developing melanoma. Artificial UV radiation is also particularly harmful to the eyes and can have serious consequences such as photochemical damage to the retina.
• the classic saying "I'm already tanned, nothing can happen to me anymore!" is false. Pre-tanned skin is not immune to sunburn or cancer and needs protection! If you were to compare the skin's own protection through self-tanning with sunscreen, we would have a sun protection factor of just 1.5.
• the right sun protection is just as important for our eyes as it is for our skin. Always wear sunglasses with a UV-400 label, especially in strong sunlight. No matter what time of year!
• even waterproof sun protection products need to be refreshed again and again. After two 20-minute stays in the water, only half of the original protection is still available. So the following rule applies: dry well after bathing and re-apply plenty of sun cream. To ensure full protection, you should really only apply sunscreen to completely dry skin!
• water can increase UV radiation many times over.

What do UVA and UVB mean for sun protection products?

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, down to the dermis, and are primarily responsible for skin ageing. They attack the collagen/elastin network and are also responsible for the formation of age spots.

UVB rays transfer all the energy to the top layer of skin (epidermis). Although they increase the protective pigmentation of the skin, they are also responsible for the often painful sunburn.

Both types of radiation can induce skin cancer and severely damage the skin!

Basically: The products only offer adequate protection if they are used often and sufficiently!