Life & Style | Beauty & Fashion
Sunny side up!
With temperatures soaring, it's time to bring on the sunscreen and umbrellas. It's also a good idea to brush up on the basics of sun protection.
- By Ritu Raizada, Lifestyle Features Coordinator
- Published: 23:03 June 18, 2009
- Image Credit:
With temperatures soaring, it's time to bring on the sunscreen and umbrellas. It's also a good idea to brush up on the basics of sun protection.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense that advice now..."
When Mary Schmich, a US newspaper columnist, wrote these words in her book called, Wear Sunscreen, little did she know that she would be starting a beauty revolution. While most anti-ageing and skin experts across the world continue to echo her thoughts even today, they also admit that it is nearly impossible for anyone to stay away from the sun entirely, except if you live in a cave, and even then you probably have to pop out now and then. Also, not everybody can afford to live life like Paloma Picasso and keep one's skin spotless, freckle-free and porcelain-like.
What's the solution then? In two words, sun protection. This isn't just an art or a skill or a logical attitude, it's a way of life. Also, depending on age, skin type and lifestyle, sun protection is also a finely calibrated science. Dr Ajay Chaudhary, dermatologist, NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai, explains, "We all need protection from the sun. In its absence, your skin is at high risk of premature and heavy wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, melanoma and even forms of skin cancer."
To prevent all or any of these and the many other disadvantages of having excessive UV exposure, one must understand the importance of sunscreens. Let us visit the basics.
"If you expose your skin directly to the sun's rays for long hours without protection, your skin is likely to get sunburnt. If instances of sunburn increase, your skin may get permanently damaged.
"It is best to avoid being outdoors between 10am and 4pm. During this time of day, the sun, especially in the UAE, is particularly harsh."
"Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are known to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Examples of chemical sunscreens are products containing salicylates, cinnamates octocylene and benzophenones. The newest chemical in this category is ecamsule, which has been found to be a potent UVA blocking compound."
What ingredients should one look for in a good sunscreen?
It is, therefore, advisable that you plan your day in advance and apply sunscreen accordingly.
"A sunscreen can have as many as 16 ingredients. "These can be broadly classified into two categories. The absorbers (or chemical sunscreens) create a chemical reaction to absorb the UV rays; and reflectors are physical barriers that block or reflect UV rays away from the skin. The most commonly used absorbers include homosalate, octisalate (also called octyl salicylate), octinoxate (also called octyl methoxycinnamate or OMC), octocrylene, oxybenzone, and avobenzone. The most common 'reflectors' are Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide. These are the sunblocks that cricketers and footballers apply on their face when out on the field. Over a few hours, the white colour will disappear. Sun protection is available in so many forms these days: creams, sprays, lotions and even in moisturisers."
"For those with oily skin or acne-prone skin, oil-free sunscreens are a better choice. "It really does not matter if you are buying it in the form of a lotion, gel or cream. A lot of people use sunscreen sprays as they are easier to use."
Do infants and toddlers need sunscreen?
"We recommend the use of a sunscreen on a baby below six months of age only if he has medical problems. Having said that, the earlier a child is taught the benefits of using sunscreen, the better. Once the child gets physically active and indulges in outdoor sport, he should be taught to apply sunscreen every 20 minutes when he is in strong sunlight.
"I know it is not easy to convince kids to come out of a swimming pool every half an hour to slather on a fresh layer of sunscreen but it is for their good.
"Just like you teach your child the importance of brushing his teeth twice a day, teach him to also protect himself in the sun. This should become a lifelong habit.
"Fair-skinned children, particularly those with light-coloured eyes, should be even more particular about using sunscreen. Also, try to teach your child the importance of wearing sun protective clothing."
Do tinted windows in a car offer sun protection?
"A car's windshield allows less than one per cent of the UV rays to penetrate. It is made of two layers of glass with a plastic layer inserted in between. This leaves no scope for UV transmission.
"However, the windows, if not tinted, can cause sunburn. I recommend a 30 per cent tint or to the permissible limits. Darker than that, you may experience difficulty in night driving."
While excess exposure to the sun without proper protection can cause serious skin damage, it is also true that the sun has undeniable health benefits to offer. Soaking up the sun in measured does can be good for the body and mind.
"The sun is a natural treatment for people suffering from skin disorders like psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma," says Dr Chaudhary.
"Besides, exposure to the visible spectrum of solar radiation is believed to enhance the psychological well-being." Problems like SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which is quite common in countries that have very little sunshine or prolonged winters, are believed to be due to lack of sun exposure.
Exposure to UVB is also necessary for the conversion of vitamin D for ready use by the body. "It is safe to let your body soak up the sun, but for no more than ten minutes a day," says Dr Chaudhary. "But make sure when your face, hands and arms are exposed, they are covered with sunscreen."
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