Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Andaç Salman stated that the sun increases the amount of serotonin hormone, which gives vitality and happiness in our brain, and plays a major role in the synthesis of vitamin D, which is indispensable for our body. enough. However, going into the sun without protection for a longer period of time does more harm than good, significantly increasing the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. Therefore, some rules should definitely not be neglected. Especially since some people are more at risk against the harmful rays of the sun, these people should also be careful.
DO YOU HAVE HIGH RISK TO THE SUN?
Some people’s risk of sun damage; Stating that they are more than others in terms of their profession, genetic structure and lifestyle, Assoc. Dr. Andaç Salman lists these 10 factors as follows;
- People with fair skin, red hair, blue-green eyes
- Those who have many freckles on their body
- People with multiple moles
- Those who use immunosuppressant drugs for reasons such as organ transplants
- Those with a family or personal history of skin cancer
- Babies exposed to the sun for a long time, children younger than six months
- Those who regularly stay in the sun for long periods of time because they have to work outdoors
- Those who engage in outdoor sports such as sailing, golf, or those who are overexposed to the sun due to such hobby
- Those who have been to the solarium even once in their life
- Those who stay under the sun for a long time to tan, stay under the sun during risky hours when the harmful rays of the sun come directly, and go out to the sun without protection
Assoc. Dr. Andaç Salman says, “The presence of at least one of these elements shows that one should pay much more attention to protecting from the harmful rays of the sun.”
PAY ATTENTION TO HOURS
Emphasizing that ultraviolet rays in sunlight are more common in high altitude areas and regions closer to the equator, that is, in the southern regions of our country, Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Andaç Salman said, “Sun protection should not be neglected, as UV rays can cause sunburn and skin damage even in cloudy weather. It is very important to avoid and protect yourself from the sun between 11:00 and 16:00, as the sun’s rays are more steep and intense. It should also be kept in mind that sunlight reflected from surfaces such as sand, snow and water can cause sunburn, even in the shade.
BENEFIT FROM UV INDEX
Make it a habit to check the UV index, which is an international standard scale for assessing the amount of ultraviolet rays reaching the earth’s surface and the risk of sunburn and skin damage in a particular area. It is recommended to protect from the sun if the UV index, which can be seen from the weather applications on many mobile phones, is 3 and above, and not to go out if possible, especially when it is above 8.
DO NOT LEAVE THE HOME WITHOUT PROTECTION
To protect from the sun, to apply sunscreen cream before leaving the house, to wear dark and bright colored clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that allow the passage of ultraviolet rays less, and to try to stay in the shade; It is very important not to neglect to wear a wide-brimmed hat that can protect the face, neck and ears, and to use sunglasses that are sure to provide 100 percent protection against UV rays.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE QUALITY OF YOUR SUN PROTECTION
Make sure your sunscreen is reliable and use it effectively. Be careful to apply a sufficient amount as it will not be protective enough if applied too thinly. Sunscreens should be applied 20-30 minutes before going out in the sun and should be reapplied every 3-4 hours as their effect decreases due to sweating. Be sure to follow other protective guidelines as well, as the use of sunscreen does not mean prolonged exposure to the sun without the risk of sunburn.
DON’T TRY TO GET TANNERY
Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Andaç Salman said, “Even though tanning is associated with beauty standards today, it is actually an indication of skin damage and it is not possible to tan safely. On the contrary, it can lead to skin cancer in the future. In addition to tanning with natural sunlight, tanning methods such as solariums significantly increase the risk of sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. “With just one session of solarium use, the risk of developing melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers increases by 20 percent to 67 percent.”