Prevent damage to your skin and get a safe tan

Clean air and sunshine have numerous benefits for your skin: they stimulate the circulation, encourage vitamin D synthesis, aid calcium and phosphorus absorption, strengthen the immune system and lift the mood.

However, too much sun can cause serious damage to your body:

• Sunburn starts with a rash or reddening and progresses to cause skin injuries that can be very serious.
• Allergy to the sun. These can be provoked by contact with certain soaps, cologne, photo protectors or foods that cause the skin to overact when exposed to the sun. It can become itchy, break out and suffer from red marks and dryness.
• Appearance of tumours. Short UV waves easily penetrate the skin and can cause mutations in the DNI of cell nuclei.
  These appear as dark spots which change, ulcers that do not improve, scars that grow, cysts or moles that change in thickness, colour, size or which become unsymmetrical. Caught in time, they can be removed and cured before they affect a more complex area, which is why dermatologists recommend you have a thorough examination of your moles, freckles and dark spots regularly and that you always use suitable sun protection.
• Premature skin ageing, which causes wrinkles and dark spots.
• It can affect the function of the leukocytes and leave you more vulnerable to infection.
• It increases the danger of developing cataracts when the sun’s rays and light impact the retina.

How can we protect and prepare our skin?

• Always protect your skin with a sun cream before going out into the sun.
• Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and cleanse.
• Use neutral soap, so as not to affect the acid layer.
• Moisturise with creams to hydrate and avoid dryness.
• Rinse away the remains of chlorine and salt.
• Watch your diet. Eating plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables will give you all the water you need and the antioxidants that your skin can use to protect itself from free radicals to stay healthy and glowing.

Everyone’s skin is different and needs different protection. There are six skin phototypes ranging from 1, which is very white skin that burns easily and does not tan to 6, which is black skin that pigments instantly and does not burn.

Protective creams contain sun filters that absorb part of the ultraviolet rays. They do not give total protection, but they do allow you to stay in the sun for longer without burning. SPF factors range from 6-10 (minimum), 15-20 (moderate) to 30-50+ (high). Remember that perspiration, friction and water rub reduce the protection, which is why experts recommend that you always use at least a factor 20 to 30 and that you reapply at least every two hours.

Protect your skin from the sun and enjoy everything that summer has to offer you

This post is also available in: Spanish