Doctors’ Recommended Best Sunscreens

With the arrival of the summer months, the effect of sun rays on the skin becomes more noticeable. Sun protection is an important skin health step that should be considered regularly not only during summer holidays but throughout the year. Sunscreen use helps protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet rays.

The sun emits UVA and UVB rays to the earth. These rays may cause problems such as sunburn, spot formation, wrinkles, premature aging, and damage to the skin barrier. UVA rays in particular can reach the deeper layers of the skin, increase the risk of DNA damage, and create an important risk factor for the development of skin cancer in the long term.

When sunscreens are used regularly and correctly, they support the protection of skin health. Therefore, sunscreen products have an important place in the daily skincare routine. The appropriate sunscreen should be selected by considering skin type, age, duration of sun exposure, and seasonal conditions.

Ways To Protect Against Sun Rays

Using sunscreen alone is not enough to protect against sun rays. The duration of sun exposure, the time of day, the clothes used, and physical protection methods are also important for skin health. Special care should be taken especially during the hours when sun rays are most intense.

Direct sun exposure should be avoided between 11.00 and 15.00, when sun rays are most intense. Staying in the shade, choosing light-colored and finely textured protective clothing, using a wide-brimmed hat, and wearing sunglasses may help protect the skin.

Things to consider to protect against sun rays include:

• Direct sun exposure should be avoided between 11.00 and 15.00, when sun rays are intense.
• Physical protection should be provided with hats, umbrellas, and light-colored clothing.
• Sunscreen should be applied approximately 30 minutes before going out into daylight.
• Sunscreen should be applied in sufficient amount to all exposed skin areas.
• Sunscreen should be renewed at regular intervals to maintain its effect.
• Sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming, sweating, or drying with a towel.

Features Of Sunscreens

Sunscreens are products that help protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays. An effective sunscreen not only reduces the risk of sunburn but also provides protective support against the risk of sun-related spots, premature aging, and skin damage.

When choosing sunscreen, it is important that the product provides broad-spectrum protection. This means that it offers protective effects against both UVA and UVB rays. It is also important that the product is suitable for the skin type, provides moisturizing support, and does not cause allergic reactions.

The basic features expected in sunscreens are as follows:

• It should provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
• It should be suitable for the skin type.
• It should help moisturize the skin.
• It should not increase the risk of allergic reactions.
• It should be resistant to water, sweat, and friction.
• It should be able to provide long-lasting protection.
• With regular use, it should help reduce sun-related skin damage.

Sunscreen Selection And Use

When choosing sunscreen, not only the brand preference but also the product’s protection factor, suitability for skin type, and method of use should be considered. The SPF value indicates the level of protection the product provides against UVB rays. For daily use, sunscreens with SPF 30 and above may be preferred, especially for the face area.

Sunscreen should be applied not only to the face but also to all areas exposed to the sun. The neck, tops of the ears, lips, backs of the hands, exposed areas of the scalp, and décolleté area are often neglected. Since these areas are also open to sun damage, they should be protected regularly.

Things to consider when using sunscreen include:

• Products with SPF 30 and above should be preferred for the face area.
• Sunscreen should be applied approximately 30 minutes before going outside.
• The product should be applied evenly to all exposed skin areas.
• Areas such as the lips, ears, neck, and backs of the hands should not be neglected.
• It should be renewed every 2 hours during summer months or in situations with intense sun reflection, such as skiing in winter.
• Sunscreen should be used regularly throughout all four seasons.
• A dermatologist’s opinion may be obtained for selecting a product suitable for the skin type.

Durability Of Sunscreens

Sunscreens must be stored under proper conditions to remain effective. The shelf life of products is generally about 3 years; however, this period may vary depending on the product content, storage conditions after opening, and expiration date.

Sunscreens that have expired, whose texture has changed, whose smell has become different, or that have been exposed to direct heat for a long time should not be used. When sunscreen loses its effectiveness, it may not protect the skin sufficiently.

Things to consider for the durability of sunscreens include:

• The expiration date of the product should be checked.
• Products that have remained open for a long time should be evaluated carefully.
• They should not be exposed to direct sunlight or high heat.
• The cap should not be left open.
• Products whose color, smell, or texture has changed should not be used.
• The effectiveness of products left in a beach bag under heat for a long time may decrease.

Sunscreens And Vitamin D

Sun rays play an important role in the production of vitamin D in the skin. For this reason, some people may think that sunscreen use can cause vitamin D deficiency. However, even if sunscreens have a high protection factor, they may allow a limited amount of light to reach the skin.

This limited light transmission is not completely blocking in terms of vitamin D production. In addition, vitamin D can be supported not only through sunlight but also through foods and, when necessary, supplements used with specialist recommendation. Therefore, sunscreen use should not be neglected for skin health.

Things to know about the relationship between vitamin D and sunscreen include:

• Sunlight plays a role in vitamin D production.
• Sunscreens do not completely reduce light transmission to zero.
• Vitamin D can also be obtained from foods.
• Vitamin D levels can be evaluated with blood tests when necessary.
• A specialist opinion should be obtained if vitamin D deficiency is suspected.
• Sunscreen use should not be stopped in order to protect skin health.

Foods That People With Sun Sensitivity Should Avoid

In some people, skin sensitivity to the sun may be more noticeable. This condition may be related to medications used, skin diseases, genetic predisposition, or some foods. This sensitivity, called photosensitivity, may cause the skin to react more easily to sun rays.

People with sun sensitivity may be advised to be careful when consuming citrus fruits, celery, and some spices. These foods may increase sensitivity to the sun in some people. However, since every individual’s skin structure is different, people who experience redness, itching, burning, or a tendency to develop spots after sun exposure should consult a dermatologist.

People with sun sensitivity should pay attention to the following:

• Skin reactions should be observed when consuming citrus fruits.
• Care should be taken with foods such as celery that may be associated with photosensitivity.
• Some spices may increase sensitivity to the sun.
• Medications used should be evaluated in terms of sun sensitivity.
• A dermatologist should be consulted if redness, itching, or spot formation occurs after sun exposure.
• Sunscreen use should not be neglected.

Protect Your Skin Health More Consciously With Happ Health Online Dermatology Doctor

Sunscreen use is one of the basic steps in protecting skin health. However, the right product choice, protection factor suitable for the skin type, tendency to develop spots, sun sensitivity, and existing skin problems may vary from person to person. Therefore, the sun protection process should be evaluated according to personal needs.

As a digital health platform, Happ Health offers a solution that facilitates online access to dermatology specialists. You can follow a more conscious path with an online dermatology doctor consultation about sunscreen selection, sun spots, sensitive skin structure, product use in acne-prone skin, or sun-related skin reactions.

To protect your skin health and plan your sun protection routine correctly, you can create an online dermatology doctor consultation through Happ Health and manage the evaluation process suitable for your skin with specialist support.