Whether on the beach, in an outdoor pool, or in the mountains, there are many things to consider when sunbathing. We love the warmth of the sun, we feel more comfortable with slightly tanned skin, and we need vitamin D, which is important for a strong immune system. However, it is recommended to be careful while sunbathing. While it has long been known that sun protection is important to protect us from skin cancer and premature aging, there are some details you may not know.
Important Note: All tips and advice apply to
adults. Young children and babies should be protected from direct sun and kept
only in the shade if possible. Since children generally have very sensitive
skin, they should apply high SPF creams and stay in direct sun for a limited
time, wearing a hat and airy clothing.
Before sunbathing:
Personalized skin analysis
First of all, we must analyze how sensitive we
are to the sun. Seeing a dermatologist can be helpful, but we can also answer
some questions ourselves.
🌞Do I have light or reddish hair?
🌞Do I have too many birthmarks?
🌞Am I light skinned?
🌞Am I tanning too slowly?
🌞Am I prone to sunburn easily?
If your answer is yes to all or most of these
questions, this indicates that your skin is very sensitive to the sun.
Self-protection time without sunscreen is just under 10 minutes. Other skin
types have darker hair and olive skin tone. Although people with these
characteristics are less sensitive, it is still important to protect themselves
from sunlight and take sun protection seriously.
Correct sun protection
The correct sun protection factor depends on
the skin type. Those with fair skin should always use sun protection 50, while
those with darker skin should use sun protection with lower SPF. In general, a
higher sun protection factor provides greater sun protection and protection against
skin cancer and skin aging. If in doubt, always choose a high sun protection
factor. Protected sunbathing time can be calculated using the following
formula: The self-protection time for fair-skinned skin is 10 minutes. If we
choose SPF 30, the result is: 10 * 30 = 300 minutes of sunbathing time.
However, it is recommended that you do not make full use of this period and
still follow the important tips. Despite creams, the skin comes into contact
with UV rays and can be damaged by the sun even if there is no sunburn.
The right amount of sun protection
The right amount is crucial for safe sunbathing
and is often underestimated. About 4 tablespoons of cream is required for the
body. (Of course, this may vary depending on the person's height and weight)
Make sure to apply the cream evenly and thickly. A palm-sized amount is about
right for the face. For liquid suntan lotion, apply a pinch to each of your 4
fingers.
Pay attention to the shelf life of sunscreen.
Applying the cream once is often not enough for a summer day. Clothing, sand, sweat and water can reduce applied sun protection. This should also be taken into account in waterproof products. Caution: Re-applying does not extend the time spent in the sun, it just maintains the protection. The overall shelf life of the sunscreen also needs to be considered. It is better to stop using last year's products and make sure that the sunscreen is never exposed to direct sunlight and is protected from sand and dirt.
Protection and style while sunbathing Our face
and head are particularly sensitive. Large sunglasses protect our eyes and the
delicate eye area. It is highly recommended to use a hat or scarf as head
protection on summer days. Airy clothing can protect sun-sensitive areas but
still allow some UV rays to pass through.
The right time of day for sunbathing.
The sun is at its highest at noon, between
11:00 and 13:30. It's especially busy at this time of year, especially at the
beach or by the pool. Water reflects rays. At this time it is better to take a
nap and avoid the sun at all costs.
Shadow tan
It is
best to stay in the shade on hot days. About 50% of UV rays still pass through
and we continue to tan in the shade. However, we should apply sunscreen even in
the shade. Likewise, in cloudy weather, up to 90% of the sun's rays reach us.
Sun protection for hair
The scalp is particularly sensitive, so it's
best to wear a hat or scarf to protect yourself. There are also special
sunscreens for hair to make sunbathing safer.
Moisturize after sunbathing
If you follow all these tips, you can tan
slowly and healthily. You can do a light peeling before sunbathing to protect
your tan. Then provide the skin with plenty of moisture. By the way: The skin
also needs a lot of moisture from the inside. So drinking enough water also
affects our skin.
Frequently asked questions and answers about sunbathing
What should you pay attention to when your skin turns brown?
Be sure to follow the most important tips to
protect yourself from the sun. Therefore, avoid midday sun, cover your head,
stay in direct sun for short periods of time, and apply adequate sunscreen. For
a beautiful and healthy tan, we recommend that you gently exfoliate your skin
before sunbathing. After sunbathing, we must provide the skin with a quality
moisturizer.
How do I protect my skin from the sun?
- Stay in the shade
- Wear a headgear
- Wear airy clothes
- Apply sunscreen
How long can I stay in the sun?
There are different skin types. The skin's own
protection time is calculated according to the skin type. In other words, how
long can we actually stay in the sun without sun protection? (This is of course
never recommended). For light-skinned people, the duration is only 10 minutes.
This time is multiplied by the applied sun protection factor. 10 minutes
self-protection time x SPF 50 = 500 minutes sunbathing time. However, this time
should not be used in any way and is a very rough value. You should definitely
apply cream to ensure sun protection. Water, sweat and friction reduce sun
protection. In general, people with light skin need to be more careful.
Do I need sunscreen even if I'm not specifically sunbathing?
Yes. Even those with non-sensitive skin types
should apply sunscreen to protect the skin. Skin cancer and premature skin
aging can be the result of excessive sun exposure. Sun damage can occur even if
there is no visible sunburn.
How can you sunbathe even if you have light skin?
🌞Be careful of short sunbathing time
🌞Wear head protection
🌞Do not stay in direct sunlight in the midday heat
🌞Light clothing can protect the
- Please be aware that this website uses affiliate links. This means that when you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. This commission helps keep our website running and allows us to provide valuable content to our readers. Rest assured, we only promote products and services that we genuinely believe in or have personally reviewed or used. Your trust is important to us, and we appreciate your support in making our website possible. Thank you for being a part of our community.