Sunscreens and 14 misconceptions about them
Sunscreens are a group of skin creams that exist in the form of gels or lotions and are used to protect the skin from the sun. But there are some superstitions and false beliefs about them among people, which we will address together
; Pay attention to these things:
1- Not using enough sunscreen:
Apply a dime-sized amount of cream to your face. Not the size of a pea! If your whole body is exposed, one coin for the abdomen, one coin for the back, one coin for the hands, and two coins for the legs are enough. Don’t forget your feet and toes.
2- Considering yourself as not needing sunscreen just because you have dark and green skin:
Although the possibility of skin cancer is less in dark skin, it is not much credit to the ozone layer and it is recommended to use sunscreen.
3- Not using sunscreen with high enough SPF while working outside the house:
During outdoor sports that involve sweating, as well as going to the beach and outdoor pools, you should use a cream with a higher SPF.
4- Not renewing the sunscreen depending on the skin type, which must be renewed every hour:
If you have fair skin, reapply every two hours, for olive skin every 3-4 hours, and if you have very dark skin, reapply sunscreen three times a day.
5- Ignoring the effect of using sunscreen in winter and while driving:
Symptoms of many skin cancers appear on the left side of the body, because the left hand is exposed to the sun while driving. It is also recommended to use SPF 25 sunscreen. If you complain about the oiliness of the cream, you can also use powder sunscreens.
6- Using a cream that only prevents UVB absorption:
In addition to UVB rays, sunscreen should also block UVA, which is a harmful ray.
7- Using expired sunscreen:
Always check the expiration date and discard the tube after one year of opening. Always avoid exposing the tube to the sun.
8- Late use of sunscreen:
Don’t wait until your skin burns, apply the cream before leaving the house.
9- Limiting yourself to sun cream and not wearing appropriate clothes
Don’t forget glasses, gloves and hats on sunny days.
10- Using cosmetics that have SPF is not enough:
Before using the cosmetic cream, apply your insect repellent.
11- Applying sunscreen in the solarium is ineffective:
Avoid going to Solar Yum. Ten minutes of solarium is equivalent to a full day of sunbathing without sunscreen!
12- Forgetting the scalp, ears and lips:
Skin cancer does not show mercy to these parts of the body. You should use oil-free sunscreens available in the market with SPF 15 for these areas.
13- Not using sunscreen near the eyes:
The first part of the face where signs of aging appear; It is around the eyes. Ask the pharmacy for a sunscreen that is not harmful to the eye area.
14- Being exposed to the strong sun at noon:
If you do not have essential work, do not go out during the peak hours of sunlight, i.e. 10 am to 4 pm, especially in summers.