Summer ... Each of us likes to soak up under the rays of the gentle sun, lie on the beach, getting a beautiful, even tan. And just walking the streets in clear weather during the hot season (or even all the year round, if it happens anywhere in Australia or the countries of South-East Asia), we are at risk. Why? Because the sun's rays, in addition to sunburn, can cause significant damage to our skin. The result of their excessive exposure is the dryness of the skin, especially the face, hands, shoulders - that is, those places that are not hidden under clothing in hot weather; 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 the tool with SPF. What is it, how to choose it correctly depending on your skin type, and what 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, putting it on your face for make-up.
All about SPF: what is it, its levels and definition, what kind of 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 package of the remedy and can vary from 5 to 100-120 (scale - from weak to strong). Manufacturers produce sunscreen products in the form of lotions, sprays, napkins. Also you can get cream with SPF and lipstick . Usually the level of SPF of a particular remedy is indicated on the package. But which factor do you need to choose? There is a simple rule: you need to determine how long your skin blushes under the scorching sun - usually this period is 10-15 minutes (although dark-skinned women can blush after half an hour, while natural blonde "Scandinavian" type is enough and 2-5 minutes ). So, this interval, let it be a quarter of an hour, you need to multiply by the SPF indicator indicated on your tool, for example SPF 20. 15 x 20 = 300 minutes, that is 5 hours you can safely spend in the sun. That's so simple.
SPF: choose depending on the skin type
So, if you just started taking sun baths, for example, in the first few days at a resort, dermatologists recommend buying funds whose SPF is slightly higher than you need. If you are the owner of light skin and hair, you will need a sunscreen SPF 50. But first, in the very first days, it will be better to use the product with a score of 70. If you have a moderately dark skin, choose products with SPF 15-20. For children, especially the youngest, whose skin does not yet produce sufficient protective pigment melanin, use creams or lotions with SPF 80-100.
Means with SPF: application rules
Keep in mind that creams and lotions should be applied 15-20 minutes before exposure to the sun, so that they have 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 resistant to water, it's still not worth the risk: if, after applying the SPF, you bathe in the sea or the pool, do not be too lazy and use lotion again. It is better to spend a few minutes on it than after several days of suffering from sunburn.
Popular brands of tools with SPF
What is it, 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 funds have an excellent price-quality ratio, are Garnier, Nivea, Sunlight and Red Line. These are inexpensive, democratic brands. Keep in mind that your hair also needs protection, so it's best to hide it on the beach under a cap or kerchief or use special sprays. So, now you own basic information about the SPF factor: what is it, how to calculate it properly and what kind of sun protection means to choose. Now your rest will not be clouded by sunburn, and your skin will get a smooth, intense, but at the same time, not harmful to health sunburn.