May. 02, 2020

Myths about the skin and sun protection

The sun is shining, everyone instantly feels happier. Not surprising, because scientific research shows that sunlight has positive effects on your health. In fact, our body needs sunshine. Unfortunately, the sun can also cause serious damage to your skin. Below are some myths about the skin & the sun. Nomige will confirm or deny this for you.

Myths about the skin and the sun

CAN I BURN BEHIND GLASS?

To answer this question we have to distinguish between UVA and UVB rays. Glass only blocks UV-B rays. 50% of the UV-A rays pass through glass. Although UV-B is the main cause of sunburn, UV-A can also contribute. So in fact behind glass we can also burn light or get pigment. Of course you have to be behind glass for a long period of time. In addition to pigmentation, UV-A also strongly contributes to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Behind glass may be less dangerous than being exposed to direct sunlight, but it is not completely safe. That is why protection against the sun behind glass is definitely recommended. For more information about the different types of radiation and UV protection, you can read our other blog 'What do you know about sun protection' .

DOES SINGLE BURNING HAVE PERMANENT DAMAGE ON MY SKIN?

Unfortunately this is a fact. Skin that has been burned by the sun or tanning bed is permanently damaged skin. Every time the skin burns, skin cells are damaged and the body has to repair the damage. The more often and more intensively we burn, the more serious the damage done is and the higher the risk that the repair will go wrong. These damaged cells are forms of scars deep in the skin, which may lead to skin cancer in the longer term.

THE HIGHER THE PROTECTION FACTOR OF THE CREAM, THE LESS TANNING YOU GET?

Just like the skin aging process, the way we tan is also determined by our genes. Depending on your skin type, one person will tan faster and more intensely than the other. How tan you get is therefore determined by the genes and in no way dependent on your sunscreen. The higher the SPF factor on your sun product, the longer you can stay in the sun before you burn. You will tan a little less quickly if you use a sunscreen with a high factor, but a lower factor will certainly not make you tan.

I'M ALREADY TANNED, DO I STILL HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE?

Research has shown that the tan of people with fair skin is equivalent to a maximum of SPF 5 . Despite the brown color, it is still possible that the skin burns and DNA damage occurs. So you still run the risk of getting skin cancer and skin aging. In addition, tumors on the skin are sometimes more difficult to detect on brown skin, which means that the diagnosis is often too late. So always be careful, even if you have sun-tanned skin.

WHEN I SUBSCRIBE, I DO NOT TAN

A sun cream does not stop the tanning process, it does slow it down. No single factor is strong enough to completely counteract the browning process. So don't panic! Even with a factor of 50, your skin is still able to produce pigment. Pigment in the skin is created by the pigment cells that produce melanin. Melanin not only ensures a tanned skin, it also protects against the UV rays of the sun. If we don't apply sunscreen and burn ourselves, the pigment cells won't get the chance to produce melanin. The result: a red burned skin that no longer builds up protection. So it's best to take it slowly, with sun protection. In this way, melanin production starts progressively, so that you tan much more evenly and healthier.

DOES THE SUN ALSO HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON OUR BODY?

Exposure to the sun can cause a lot of damage, but there are also positive effects of the sun on our body. For example, UV radiation ensures the formation of vitamin D in our body. Vitamin D ensures strong bones and can thus contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis. In addition, vitamin D also ensures strong teeth and maintains your resistance. Being in contact with sunlight for 15 to 30 minutes a day is sufficient for this. Another important and positive effect of the sun is the reduced risk of depression. The sun has an unmistakable "feel good" effect. The sun's heat stimulates the production of endorphins, our well-being hormones. Surely everyone is happy with the first rays of sunshine after that long, cold winter?