See how to use sunscreen properly

With the arrival of summer, an item that is often forgotten during part of the year is once again highlighted: sunscreen.

Prolonged exposure to the sun can have acute effects — such as sunburn and heatstroke — as well as chronic effects, which can be quite serious. Among them is skin cancer, which can be the result of repeated burns throughout life.

Therefore, using sunscreen is a habit that should go beyond the summer. Even in everyday life, it is important to use a sunscreen to protect areas that are uncovered, such as the face and neck. That’s because, even in covered places, sunlight can penetrate through window glass, and the light emitted by computer screens and other electronic devices can also be harmful.

Dermatologist Renato Bakos, coordinator of the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, states that using sunscreen should not be the only protective measure against the sun’s rays: “The use of sunscreens is just one part of the concept of photoprotection, which it is the main preventive method that we can have to avoid this disease [câncer de pele].”

In practice, this means adopting a series of measures to prevent the unwanted effects of the sun. Preferably, avoid the hours with the highest load of ultraviolet radiation, which are usually between 9am and 3pm, according to Bakos. It is also important to spend most of your time covered in shade and to wear elements that promote physical protection, such as T-shirts and hats.

All this does not negate the importance of perfecting the sunscreen. “They serve especially to be applied in those areas where the body is uncovered, either because of clothes or because it is not in the shade”, emphasizes Bakos.

How to choose a good sunscreen

The most important criterion when choosing a good sunscreen is the SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. “The protector needs to have at least SPF 30 and must have protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Nowadays we have associations with antioxidants, with anti-pollution factors, with pigment. So we have a range of good products”, says dermatologist Camila Rosa.

A higher SPF can offer more protection for more sensitive people, but if reapplied correctly, SPF 30 sunscreen is sufficient.

“Another choice that may be interesting for people is the vehicle”, recalls Bakos. It refers to how the protector is presented, which can be in cream, gel or spray, for example. “Creams and gels generally have a better ‘spreadability’; the person has the idea that he is passing it all over the skin in a clearer way”, he points out. However, the spray can be more practical to reapply when the skin is wet, at the beach or pool, for example.

To protect children, it may be interesting to invest in denser products, which offer greater adherence and tend to be less spread by external causes, such as water and sand. Some brands already produce sunscreens aimed at children with these characteristics —Bakos points out that these products are aimed at children over one year old. For smaller babies, the ideal is that there is no direct exposure to the sun and that they are protected by clothes and hats.

Some child protectors are also considered hypoallergenic, as they do not contain certain substances, but it is difficult to predict when someone may have an allergic reaction to a product. “Usually it’s the most sensitive people who develop allergies, the ones we call atopics”, says Rosa.

How to use the protector properly?

An essential habit, but that many people do not have, is to reapply the protector periodically. Rosa advises that, on a daily basis, reapplication can be done every three hours. At the beach or pool, the ideal is to reapply every two hours, or whenever there is contact with water or excessive sweat.

Bakos reinforces that the SPF 30 protector only has the ideal protective effect when reapplied every two hours. For those with very fair or sensitive skin, you can opt for a higher factor.

It is also important to know how to apply the correct amount of sunscreen. “We use the teaspoon rule”, says Rosa. “One spoon for face, neck and scalp. One teaspoon for each arm, one for the front of the leg, one for the front and one for the back.”

In practice, for those who find it difficult to follow these exact measurements, Bakos advises: “The best suggestion is to apply it all over the skin, making sure that there is really a ‘spreadability’ throughout the fabric.”

Is face shield necessary?

For everyday use, the most common is those who use more elaborate products, specifically aimed at the skin of the face, which are facial protectors. “These day-to-day facial products are generally more prepared for the cosmetics of a skin that is more oily or drier, for example”, says Bakos.

Rosa explains that the difference between these products and common protectors is usually in the texture, which is more appropriate for this skin. However, on the beach and in other activities, for those who adapt well to the body protector, it is not a problem to use it on the face as well.

But, for everyday life, it is interesting to use one of these specific products, which act better on the skin without causing aesthetic damage.

A very common type of face shield is one with pigment, often referred to as a tinted shield. It is a product that often resembles a facial foundation, and can be very practical for those who wear light makeup on a daily basis. Rosa also points out that this type of protector can offer extra physical protection, due to the pigments present in the cream or gel.

Specific care by skin tone

It is common for black people to think that they do not need to worry so much about exposure to the sun, due to the greater presence of melanin in the skin tissue. However, this is not true. “Regardless of skin color, we should use sunscreen daily”, recommends Rosa.

The expert also points out that black skin can have a drier appearance, due to greater water loss and the layer of dead cells. Thus, it may be interesting to reinforce hydration.

During the summer, intense contact with water can also lead to greater dryness in all skins. Therefore, using moisturizing lotions after bathing is an important care after exposure to the sun.

“When in doubt, if the person perceives a burn that is a little more important, even with blisters sometimes, it is important to consult a professional”, says Bakos.