The Do’s and Don’ts for Safe Sunbathing At a Glance

The holidays have begun! Or at least for the lucky few in the middle of the Netherlands…. Today I saw the first cars loaded up (oh yes, because the potatoes, deep fat fryer and bikes need to go to) and all heading south. With a long summer ahead I think it is a good idea to set the record straight of how you can protect yourself in the sun, as 1 in 4 Netherlanders will have to deal with skin cancer in the coming 10 years and 90% of skin ageing is caused by the sun! In spite of these not so nice statistics, you can still enjoy a sunbathing day on the beach or an extended lunch on a sunny terrace – as long as you are accompanied by a bottle of sun cream!

Already sunburnt….

If this blog has reached you too late then click on my blog ‘You’re So Red’. It is full of emergency tips for sunburn…

And for those of you who are still waiting for answers to your questions: they will come shortly!

In this article I advise applying sufficient amounts of sun cream and re-applying every two hours to be safe. A factor 15-30 should be used. UVA protection is also adviseable. Be aware that UVA rays also penetrate through glass. Always carry a bottle of sun cream with you when you are out and about in the sun or really sunbathing as well as a cap or hat, sun glasses and long sleeves. After sun products are not necessary, a cream with soothing ingredients such as liquorice root extract or green tea is just as good. You don’t need to avoid the sun altogether, just make sure you are protected when in it and stay out of it during the hottest part of the day. Choose a sun cream with mineral filters zinc oxide or titanium oxide as opposed to chemical filters (oxybenzone).

Regards Jetske.

(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

You can also read: ‘Ageing through Glass!’ (by UVA rays)
‘Anti-Wrinkle Creams’,
‘Do Anti-Oxidants Really Work in a Cream?‘,
‘Self Tanner; in Moderation’,
‘The Effects of the Sun; Twins’,
‘Dr. Peter Velthuis on the Sun’.