Preparing skin for the sun

For most people, sunbathing is as much a part of summer as ice cream and holidays. But be careful: with every sunburn, your personal risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging increases. Especially when traveling to sunny climes, the skin cannot adapt quickly enough. Painful damage with long-term consequences can occur after just a few minutes.

How can I protect myself from sunburn?

• Deal consciously with the sun by gradually accustoming your skin to the warmth and rays of the sun.
• Sunscreen lotions should protect against UVA and UVB. Tip: These lotions can be taken before the first sunbath or start before the holiday and continue taking them at the holiday destination.
• In addition, you should wear suitable sun protection clothing.
• You should always avoid the midday sun (approx. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
• Fair-skinned people in particular need to find the right sun protection factor (SPF). The length of sunbathing must be adapted to the skin type.

What is the UV index?

The UV index (UVI) indicates the sunburn-effective solar irradiance. It varies with cloud cover, the position of the sun (i.e. latitude, time of day and season) and the thickness of the ozone layer. The UVI is the maximum value expected for the day in question at noon. Recommendations for protection against UV radiation must be observed for the various values and suitable protective measures must be chosen depending on the individual skin type.

Sun protection misconceptions: We'll tell you!

Sunscreen in the shade? Is overrated! Get sunburned in the water? Impossible! Clearly, misconceptions about sun protection are a dime a dozen. It is so important that we protect ourselves and our skin well when we enjoy the warming rays - whether in this country at the lake or on a beach holiday. We'll tell you the ten biggest sun protection misconceptions.

1) If you use a high sun protection factor, you can forget about the summer tan

False! Sunscreens don't ensure that we don't get any color at all. We just need a little more patience. And it's worth putting it on: As a reward, you get a long-lasting and all-natural summer tan.

2) Sun protection is only needed in direct sunlight.

Unfortunately, the brightest of all planets does not make it quite so easy for us: sunlight, for example, is reflected by the ground – and therefore reaches us even in the shade. Even cloud cover can overcome the rays, so sun protection should also be used on cloudy days.

3) If you don't have fair skin, you don't need sun protection.

It is true that the darker the skin, the higher its self-protection time. But even dark skin can protect itself against the strong rays of the sun for a maximum of 30 minutes. It can therefore tolerate more sunlight, but should still be provided with appropriate protection.

4) You don't get sunburned in the water under any circumstances.

Admittedly, it is hard to imagine that the sun's rays can harm us even in the cool water. However, up to 80 percent of UV rays reach up to about 30 centimetres below the surface of the water – so waterproof sun protection is absolutely necessary.

5) Double creamed = double protected.

One thing in advance: We should reapply our skin every two hours and after bathing so that the protection factor can be maintained. However, this does not increase the total amount of time we should spend in the sun. Nor does the sun protection factor double: 30 plus 30 is not the same as 60 when it comes to sun protection!

6) With a slight sunburn, you can continue to lie in the sun.

Absolutely not! Even a slight sunburn indicates that we have been in the sun for too long and have put too much strain on our skin. In this case, wait until the sunburn has completely subsided - and only then continue tanning in moderation.

7) Oily creams increase the risk of sun allergies.

It is true that sun allergy sufferers should choose a sun protection with sufficiently high UVA protection, as UVA rays often trigger allergies. It is also possible that the skin reacts to the combination of UVA radiation and sun protection ingredients. Then it is advisable to use emulsifier-free products.

8) Clothing protects us from the sun.

In principle, the statement is not wrong, but it is not really correct in such a sweeping way. After all, not every piece of clothing protects us equally well. Colour, fibres and the density of the textiles determine the effect. Shirts, trousers and the like that are provided with a protection factor are best suited - they reliably fulfil the protective purpose.

9) You can still use the sunscreen from last year in any case.

Caution – this does not necessarily have to be true. Creams, sprays and the like that have become months or years old sometimes no longer provide reliable protection. If you are unsure, take a close look at the packaging - there is either the exact best-before date or a small symbol shows a number that indicates how many months the product can be used after opening. After all, color changes or bad odors indicate that a new sun protection is needed.