Side effects of sunscreen and how to prevent them.
Everyone knows that sunlight is a part of life, an incredibly valuable natural energy source, but it is also a damaging agent for the skin. Using sunscreen to protect the skin is recommended by dermatologists, but how can you use sunscreen effectively?
Sunlight is the leading cause of skin cancer in countries like Australia and New Zealand.
In Vietnam, skin cancer also accounts for a significant proportion of skin diseases. With improved economic conditions, people have become more aware of protecting their skin by using sunscreens.
Sunscreen is a cream containing chemical or physical ingredients that block, absorb, or scatter sunlight, reducing the harmful effects of sun exposure on the skin. Sunscreen can be considered both a cosmetic and a topical medication. Therefore, careful consideration is needed when using sunscreen to achieve the best results without side effects or loss of effectiveness.
What types of sunscreen are there?
Physical sunscreens: These are sunscreens that act as a shield, preventing, reflecting, and scattering sunlight to protect the skin. Titanium and zinc oxides are both physical sunscreens that protect the skin.
Chemical sunscreens: These are sunscreens containing chemical ingredients that absorb or transform light through chemical reactions. They are generally less effective at protecting against the sun than physical sunscreens. In practice, a combination of both types is often used to create a highly effective sunscreen.
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| Applying a sufficient amount of sunscreen is essential for it to be effective. |
How much sunscreen is enough?
Depending on whether the sunscreen has a high or low SPF, you need to apply enough cream for effective sun protection. For sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher, about 2.5 grams of cream is sufficient for the face. Alternatively, you can estimate that about a fingertip's worth of cream will be enough for the entire face. Applying insufficient sunscreen will result in less effective protection and shorter sun protection time.
When should you apply sunscreen?
Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Sunscreen is especially important for people with thin, light-colored skin that is prone to sunburn. People with skin conditions such as photosensitive skin diseases, systemic diseases (like systemic lupus erythematosus, connective tissue disease, etc.), and patients taking photosensitizing medications (e.g., doxycycline, tetracycline, etc.) can use sunscreen for protection. Everyone can use sunscreen to protect their skin.
Side effects of sunscreen
Sunscreen rarely has side effects, but the following reactions may still occur:
Contact dermatitis: The ingredients in sunscreen can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Therefore, when using sunscreen for the first time, you should test a small amount on the inside of your forearm and wait until the next day. If there is no itching or redness, you can use it.
Skin darkening: Some creams that are not suitable for your skin type may cause skin darkening. However, this side effect is very rare.
When using sunscreen, things to avoid:
Avoid water.When using sunscreen and then showering, its effectiveness is greatly reduced, often by half. Therefore, you need to reapply sunscreen after showering to achieve the desired effect.
Avoid applying to mucous membranes:Some types of sunscreen can cause irritation if they come into contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes and mouth. Therefore, avoid applying sunscreen to these areas.
Avoid strenuous physical activity:When engaging in strenuous physical activity, sweat will wash away sunscreen; sunscreen should not be used in combination with other topical medications. Sometimes, combining these medications can cause drug interactions that affect your skin, even causing irritation or allergies.
Don't rely too heavily on sunscreen:Although sunscreen is very effective when used correctly, we shouldn't rely too much on the fact that we've used it.
In addition to using sunscreen, you should use simple but very effective protective methods such as wearing a hat, long-sleeved clothing, and covering your face when going out in strong sunlight, especially avoiding going out between 10 am and 3 pm.
To maintain fair, youthful skin free from freckles and sun damage, protect your skin from sun damage.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Different sunscreens have different SPF ratings. Most sunscreens have an SPF of around 15. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection against sun damage.
Currently, there are sunscreens on the market with SPF 81. However, in reality, it's not necessary to use sunscreen with such a high SPF. Usually, using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15-30, as long as it's applied correctly, is sufficient.
