THE 5 MOST COMMON ERRORS IN USING SOLAR PROTECTOR
The sun has already begun to shine and although the bathing season has not yet been officially decreed, the sunscreens already move from the pharmacy shelf and the pilgrimages to the Marginal road and Costa da Caparica have already begun. Some doubts about sun protection have also been raised over the counter, so it is always worth talking about the most common mistakes that are made when it comes to sunscreens and that result in excessive solar exposures.
- SAVE ON THE QUANTITY OF SUN PROTECTOR
Pardon? To have the amount needed to achieve the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) described on the package you can use the “teaspoon” rule – For each leg, torso and back you should apply one teaspoon. On the face and on each arm and neck apply ½ tsp. The ears, hands and feet are also part of the “package” and are often forgotten.
- ONLY SOLAR PROTECTIVE POINT ON THE SUN DAYS
Ouch! You should protect yourself from the sun every day of the year, even when it is cloudy, because the sun’s rays also strike and age the exposed skin daily. So let it be known who thinks that it is only on sunny days that the sun’s rays are dangerous.
- DO NOT CHOOSE THE SOLAR PROTECTOR SUITABLE FOR MY SKIN TYPE
Heavens! The wrong choice of sunscreen, although not as severe regarding sunscreen, can aggravate other skin problems.
If your skin is sensitive with a tendency to develop allergies or if you have skin with rosacea, avoid sunscreens that have perfume in their composition and prefer the physical protectors because they form a “physical” barrier on the skin, reflecting the sun’s rays.
Those who have oily skin with acne tendency should opt for an oil-free protector and avoid all creams and lotions, which have moisturizing formulas more suitable for a dry skin.
Both light and dark skins need sun protection. Thus, regardless of skin tone, dermatologists nowadays advise the use of an SPF never lower than 30.
- IT IS ENOUGH TO APPLY THE SOLAR PROTECTOR ONLY ONCE
No way! You should apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and renew the application every two hours, or whenever you wet the skin (sea, pool and… perspiration).
- USE OUT OF DATE SOLAR PROTECTOR
Christ! When a sunscreen has passed its sell by date, there are constituents of its formula that go into degradation and attack the skin causing some irritations. After it is open, the validity of a protector is usually 12 months under suitable conditions of temperature and humidity, so you should take into account if the protector is from the last bathing season (it should not be! You could have used it the rest of the year, and it would eventually be finished earlier) and if it wasn’t finished, it spent most of its time lying on the sand in the sun.
In addition to these tips, do not rely entirely on the protector and remember to wear the clothing and shadows in the best way. After all, these factors also reduce the radiation that gets to our skin, so they work very well in sync with the sunscreens.
The next time you have to protect yourself from the sun, avoid these errors and multiply your protection.
When in doubt, ask your pharmacist. 😉
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