Myths and truths about sun therapy and protective cosmetics

Myth 1. “After peeling, the tan goes on better.”

Most likely, they mean scrubs or peelings for the body without adding fruit acids. They really exfoliate small particles from the surface of the skin, renewing it. And the tan lies better on the "new" skin.

If we are talking about hardware peeling, which is done in beauty salons, then the specialists are obliged to warn you: the skin after this procedure is very sensitive and can easily get sunburned even in the shade. Therefore, it is worth even taking a hat with large brims to the salon to cover your face. I would also not advise using peelings with active acids on your own before the beach. Of course, they will not cause a chemical burn, but they will make the skin much more sensitive to the sun's rays and then a sunburn is definitely guaranteed.

Myth 2. “My sunscreen will also work for my husband.”

Of course, if a man has naturally very sensitive skin to the sun, he can use his beloved woman's sunscreen. But in fact, it is not for nothing that there is an expression about men being thick-skinned. This is true - the skin of the stronger sex is thicker than that of women. And darker - due to more intensive production of collagen and melatonin. Therefore, a man does not really need a cream with a high SPF factor. If you are going to the southern sea, for the first few days it is better for a woman to buy a cream with the highest SPF (preferably 30), and for a man 10 is enough.

By the way, don't confuse sunscreens or sprays with tanning oil: oil increases the chance of getting sunburned.

Myth 3. “First let’s take a bath, and then we’ll apply sunscreen.”

Sunscreens should be applied before and after swimming. Moreover, it is important to apply the cream some time before going out in the sun, preferably half an hour, at least 15 minutes. After all, its active components do not begin to act immediately. And alas, no matter how good your cosmetics are, even water-repellent, they still wash off after swimming. Therefore, the protective layer should be renewed after each swim, or at least every other time.

Myth 4. “The longer I lie down, the better I’ll get a tan.”

This is definitely not true. Pale-skinned northerners will only need 10 minutes in the sun to get sunburned. And each sunburn increases the risk of melanoma (skin cancer) several times over - this, alas, is already a scientifically proven fact.

Remember that the safest time to tan is before 12 noon (or better yet, before 11 a.m.) and after 4 p.m. The midday sun is the fiercest, and you can't protect yourself from it even under a beach umbrella. Unprepared vacationers who have just arrived to the southern sun should not stay longer than half an hour even in the morning at first. An hour under an umbrella is the maximum. And don't forget the Kolobok principle: turn different sides to the sun every 5-10 minutes.

Myth 5. “Before my vacation, I’ll go to the solarium and then I’ll be able to lie on the beach all day long.”

In general, this is true, Swiss dermatologist Eric Schweiger cautiously confirms. And he immediately warns: the production of melatonin, which "darkens" us, is essentially serious work for our immunity, because in this way it is forced to protect the skin from sunlight. The longer you lie in the sun, the more you weaken it. And because of a weakened immune system, even in the south it is very easy to catch a cold, not to mention various infections.

Don't take waterproof mascara to the south.

Cosmetologists warn: no matter how tempting it is to take waterproof cosmetics to the sea, it is better to leave it at home. After all, the active components of mascara act aggressively on eyelashes, making them more brittle. And sea water aggravates the effect. Not only special gels with panthenol will help protect eyelashes from the aggressive sun, but also mascara with this component. Therefore, it is best to take it on vacation to the hot sun.