Summer ... Each of us loves to soak up the rays of the gentle sun, lie down on the beach, getting a beautiful, even tan. And just walking along the streets in clear weather in the hot season (or even year-round, if the thing happens somewhere in Australia or the countries of Southeast Asia), we find ourselves at risk. Why? Because the
sun's rays, in addition to tanning, can cause significant harm to our skin. The result of their excessive exposure is the dryness of the skin, especially the area of the face, hands, shoulders - that is, those places that are not hidden under clothing in hot weather; the appearance of freckles and age spots; and in especially severe cases, the sun's rays can cause one of the most difficult to treat forms of cancer - melanoma. How to protect yourself and your child? Use tool with SPF. What is it, how to choose it correctly depending on your skin type, as well as which brands you should trust, we will tell in our article. By the way, the sun is quite active in the winter, so protection should be used on clear winter days, applying it to the face under makeup.
All about SPF: what it is, its levels and determining which indicator you need
So, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a special substance whose main purpose is to absorb and neutralize the influence of sunlight. The level of this factor is usually indicated on the product packaging and can range from 5 to 100-120 (the scale is from weak to strong). Manufacturers produce sunscreen products in the form of lotions, sprays, napkins. You may also find SPF cream and lip
hygiene . Typically, the SPF level of a particular product is indicated on the package. But which indicator of the factor do you need to choose? There is a simple rule: you need to determine how long your skin turns red under the scorching sun - usually this period is 10-15 minutes (although dark-skinned women can turn red in half an hour, while 2-5 minutes are enough for natural "Scandinavian" type blondes ) So, the specified period, let it be a quarter of an hour, you need to multiply by the SPF value indicated on your product, for example SPF 20. 15 x 20 = 300 minutes, that is, you can spend 5 hours safely in the sun. So simple.
SPF: choose according to skin phototype
So, if you just started taking sun baths, for example, in the first few days at the resort, dermatologists recommend purchasing products whose SPF is slightly higher than you need. If you are the owner of fair skin and hair, you will need an SPF 50 sunscreen . But first, in the very first days, it is still better to use an agent with an indicator of 70. If you have moderately dark skin, choose products with SPF 15-20. For children, especially the smallest, whose skin does not yet produce the protective pigment melanin in sufficient quantities, use creams or lotions with SPF 80-100.
Tools with SPF: rules of use
Keep in mind that creams and lotions must be applied 15-20 minutes before sun exposure, so that they can be absorbed into the skin. When spreading, pay special attention to the face, shoulders, hands. Also do not forget about the back. Lips also need protection - you can apply a special hygienic lipstick with a protective factor. Although many manufacturers claim that their products are water resistant, you should not risk it: if after applying with SPF you bathed in the sea or pool, do not be lazy and use the lotion again. It is better to spend a few minutes on this than after a few days to suffer from sunburn.
Popular brand brands with SPF
What is this, we have already found out: products with a protective factor are presented in the form of all kinds of creams, lotions and sprays. The most popular manufacturers whose products have an excellent price-quality ratio are Garnier, Nivea, Sunlight and Red Line. These are inexpensive, affordable brands. Keep in mind that your hair also needs protection, so on the beach it is better to hide it under a cap or scarf or use special sprays. So, now you own the basic information about the SPF factor: what it is, how to calculate it correctly and what
sun protection tool
to choose. Now your rest will not be overshadowed by sunburns, and your skin will acquire a smooth, intense, but at the same time tan-free health.