Dubai: With temperatures and humidity levels touching new highs in the UAE this summer, there have been many questions raised about the effects of being exposed to the sun for long hours.
“Sensible sun protection is extremely important as this prevents skin damage and ageing while significantly reducing the risk of cancer,” said Dr J. George, medical director and specialist dermatologist at the Prime Medical Center Jumeirah.
According to the doctor, sun protection starts by avoiding exposure during peak sun hours between noon and 4pm and dressing sensibly. “Most clothing absorbs or reflects UV rays, but white fabric such as loose-knit cotton and wet clothes that cling to the skin do not offer much protection. The tighter the weave, the more sun protection it will offer,” he said.
“If it is necessary to be out in the sun, then use of a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 is a must, even on cloudy days. Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin and thus bar them from penetrating the skin,” he added.
Sunscreens are available in many forms like ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays and wax sticks which can be used on the lips and are labelled with SPF numbers. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from sunburn. “It is extremely important to know the SPF and the chemicals present in a sunscreen before using it. A non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic sunscreen lotion is suitable for allergenic or acne-prone skin.”
The doctor said sunscreens should be applied about 20 minutes before going outdoors. Even water-resistant sunscreens should be re-applied about every two hours, after swimming or any strenuous activity.
Beach umbrellas and other kinds of shade are a good idea, but they don’t provide full protection. The doctor said besides sunburn, tanning, ageing, wrinkles and cancer, over-exposure to the sun causes allergies and photo-allergic dermitatis as well.