How important sun cream is days of cloudless summer, we have learned that by now. In addition, we can help the skin to more protection against the UV rays. A Dermatologist explains what we can do and what we necessarily should.
Every summer the same picture: pale Northern Europeans to the Mediterranean beaches, their skin is approaching a threatening blush. Since even the best sunscreen won’t help if the skin is not accustomed to the UV rays.
This habituation should begin several weeks before a summer holiday in the sun. And how does it work, explained the Munich-based Dermatologist Marion Moers-Carpi.
Vitamins protect against oxidative Stress
Each sun is stressing the immune system and especially the skin. In case of intensive sun irradiation, the dreaded free Radicals, which bring the cells of premature aging. Anyone who wants to prepare his skin to the sun, you should provide them with anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals. These antioxidants act as radical scavengers, and make the skin less prone to sun damage.
Most importantly, beta-carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A (Retinol). Our body can tissue beta-carotene in the liver, in the fat, but also in the skin store. It promotes the formation of pigment. As a result, a lighter the sun builds up protection from the inside. But he is too weak to replace a sun cream.
Carrots and tomatoes strengthen the skin against sun damage
The German nutrition society as the highest daily dose recommended two milligrams of beta-carotene (abundant in carrots, peppers or cabbage) and the similarly acting lycopene (in tomatoes) can best be achieved through a summer raw vegetables and salads with good Oil. Because carotenoids are absorbed with fat in the effect.
Pre-tan with carotenoids
More beta carotene is found in capsules for “beautiful summer skin”. In a Spanish product, which is explicitly advertised as a “prepare the skin for exposure to the sun”, put all particularly effectively applicable skin protection agents against the oxidative damage caused by the sun:
- Three Carotenoids (Beta-Carotene, Lycopene, Lutein)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C and Vitamin E
- The Trace Element Selenium
- Plant substances, such as green tar.
High-dose beta-carotene Allergy helps against sun
The skin doctor Moers-Carpi would highly recommend-dose beta-carotene in any case, all of which respond to intense sun rays with itching, rash and pustules. “If you are prone to sun Allergy, you can take a holiday in the sun beta carotene-tablets – for three weeks in increasing doses up to the maximum dose of 100 milligrams. As a result, the symptoms can usually be prevented.“
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Habituation to the sun – every day a little bit more
In any case, we shouldn’t strengthen our skin not only internally, but also slowly to the strong summer sun to get used to. “A light skin type does not expose the first ten minutes of the sun,” says Moers-Carpi. The beach vacation in the summer should not start with a good UV protection with a sun burn.
Our skin has the ability to protect themselves from sun damage – at least a little. It is exposed to the UV rays, it establishes a pigmented thickening of the skin, the so-called light callus. This tanned skin then you need less strong UV protection and a sun cream or prolonged sun can tolerate baths.
Solarium is not suitable for the preparation of the summer sun
The light and long-lasting tan to emerge callus but only by the short-wavelength UV-B content in sunlight. The long-wave UV-A-share may only be an instant tan, the let again soon.
For this reason, the Solarium is completely inappropriate to give before the holiday, a protective tan, and white, the Munich-based Dermatologist Marion Moers-Carpi. “The light spectrum of a solar Bank, consists mainly of UV-A radiation and ten times more than in the sun. The fake tan offers no protection against sunburn. In addition, UV-A also attacks the collagen fibers of the skin.“
Artificially tinted skin provides no sun protection
A brown tinted skin does not automatically mean protection from the sun, also relates to self-tanning. In this type of skin tone, the same strong UV-protection is needed, such as on the non-processed skin.
Marion Moers-Carpi stresses that even when prepared, a prudent use of the summer sun, the best protection against damage to the skin: in addition to cream with sufficient UV-protection sunglasses and a hat whose brim shaded the whole face. And the high noon sun you should spend on the best only in the shade.
The UV Index tells you how high the sunburn is a risk
In addition, the dermatologist from Munich, puts all sun-hungry to the heart to check the UV Index for your location, the current weather-display Apps. The UVI is a measure of the intensity of the UV radiation. It depends on the time of year, the latitude, and the distance from the sea level.
The Index 1-3 (overcast sky) is harmless for the skin, 4-7 requires good sun protection, and 8, the load is very high. “You should stay the same,” says the skin expert.