Exposure to solar radiation causes the body to receive an additional dose of vitamin D3, and the skin acquires an attractive tan. However, exposure to solar radiation on the body often has unpleasant consequences, such as burns, redness, dryness and flaking of the epidermis, and unpleasant itching. Therefore, in summer we should focus even more on good skin condition.
Sunbathing: how does it affect the skin?
Moderate sun exposure has a number of benefits for the body. Under the influence of sunlight, the body synthesizes vitamin D3, which ensures good condition of bones and muscles, and the production of serotonin, the hormone of happiness. In addition to a beautiful tan, the skin becomes stronger and its blood supply improves.
Intense sunbathing can cause discoloration, dryness and even skin cancer, especially during the sun’s peak hours (11:00 – 15:00). Skin after tanning: The most common symptoms are redness, mild burns and swelling, and in extreme cases, widespread severe burns and erythema. Tissue irritated by the sun begins to dry and peel as a result of loss of moisture by cells and disruption of the natural hydrolipid membrane.
Pay attention ! Burns can also make the body more susceptible to skin cancer. It has been confirmed by many scientific studies that excessive exposure to solar radiation and associated burns can cause serious skin diseases that threaten not only health, but also life.
How severe the changes in the skin will be depends on the amount of melanin in the tissue. The pigment absorbs ultraviolet rays, protecting the skin. The more it is in the skin, the darker it is. Under the influence of the sun, its production also increases, which is what we see in the form of tanning. Often, fair skin is the most susceptible to severe side effects.
If you have acne problems, try to avoid the sun. Under the influence of the sun, the secretion of sebum increases, blackheads appear and acne worsens, and small capillaries expand and burst. Apply a high filter cream to your face – preferably one that is designed for acne-prone skin and does not clog pores. Regularly cleanse your skin of sweat and dirt.
Even a high SPF cream won’t protect against discoloration, so if you’re prone to it, avoid sunbathing. Also postpone treatments using AHA and BHA acids, whitening procedures and laser hair removal until autumn
Additional Information! Sunbathing accelerates aging. The rays cause a loss of hyaluronic acid in the skin and destroy collagen and elastin fibers, which leads to decreased skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles. These rays are responsible for a massive attack of free radicals on the skin. Under their influence, the skin becomes rough and keratinized.
How does sunburn occur?
Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, which causes redness and flaking of the skin. Melanin, a pigment found in our skin, provides natural protection against ultraviolet rays. With increased sun exposure, the skin protects itself by producing more melanin, and the body becomes tanned.
However, before this happens, especially in fair-skinned people who tan without proper protection, the upper layers of the epidermis may suffer from burns, which manifests itself as redness. In addition, to avoid sunburn, you should:
- Use sunscreen with a level of protection that matches your skin tone – fair skin requires high protection;
- apply a generous amount of sunscreen or gel to the skin so as not to reduce the effectiveness of protection;
- The application of the cream is repeated every 2 hours, and every time you get out of the water, this is important, since creams (even waterproof ones) are washed off the skin, so it’s easier to get burned.
- as soon as you notice a slight redness of the skin, immediately leave the sun, this is a sign that the skin is starting to dry out, and this is a shortcut to a burn;
- After each sun exposure, use moisturizing and soothing lotions to prevent the skin from drying out and soothe it after warming up.
Remember that sun exposure without proper protection not only increases the risk of sunburn and melanoma, but also accelerates skin aging.
UV rays are responsible for oxidative stress, loss of firmness, wrinkles and skin discoloration, and people with symptoms of photoaging appear much older than those who practice safe tanning.
How to care for your skin after sunbathing?
How can you quickly recover after sunbathing and return to your previous state? Undoubtedly, the best solution is moisturizing, soothing and softening care.
Discoloration and spots on the face after sunbathing are much less likely to occur if you apply a high-filter cream to exposed skin before leaving the house. In the sun, even if you take care of protection from UV rays, the skin condition is weakened. It becomes dry and rough.
How to care for it so that it quickly acquires an attractive appearance? The first step is to ensure proper hydration. After exposure to the sun, the epidermis experiences a deficiency of water in the cells as a result of its evaporation. Due to the damaged hydrolipidic layer, it becomes more susceptible to irritation, cracking and inflammation.
Severely dry and irritated skin begins to hurt, and after a while it peels unsightly. Hydration is key. Moisturizing substances contained in cosmetics replenish moisture deficiency in skin tissues, giving softness and elasticity.
Additional Information! It is important to hydrate both from the inside, i.e. drinking at least two liters of water a day, and from the outside. Carefully selected after-sun cosmetics can help with this. On irritated skin you should apply foam, cream or after-sun balm with panthenol. Panthenol effectively regenerates and soothes the skin.
Regular application of creams to the skin protects it from moisture loss, reduces roughness and stimulates cell regeneration. Moisturizing ingredients also soothe irritation and redness and help restore the skin’s natural protective layer.
Effective home remedies perfectly complement cosmetic care
An excellent alternative to creams that restore skin and soothe irritations are milk, cream or aloe. All these ingredients have excellent soothing, cooling and soothing effects.
- cucumber for irritation;
- cool compresses soaked in milk, curdled milk, kefir, curdled milk or buttermilk;
- oatmeal;
- aloe juice – soothes, moisturizes and regenerates.
If you have a fresh cucumber on hand, cut it into slices and apply it to the affected areas of the skin. The antioxidants and vitamin C contained in the vegetable perfectly cool and nourish burned skin. Oats slow down inflammatory processes. It is recommended to make a mask from oatmeal.
Skin care after sunbathing should be carried out regularly – every day at least in the morning and evening (on the first day it is recommended to moisturize every few hours), preferably immediately after getting out of the shower.
There is no need to apply a thick layer of product – frequency of application is much better. After just a few days of intensive care, you can notice visible effects of skin hydration and elasticity. Systematic moisturizing of the epidermis after sunbathing can protect against severe discomfort caused by severe itching and flaking.
Peels also help restore weakened tissue after sunbathing. They should be used when the skin is not irritated. If the epidermis turns red, itches and burns after exposure to the sun, exfoliation is started only after the discomfort has stopped. Exfoliation will stimulate tissue regeneration and help get rid of dead skin cells, as well as possible minor discoloration. We use it once every 3-4 days, while regularly moisturizing the body.