Because of the coronavirus, many people barely went out into the open for long weeks this year, so their skin was less exposed to sunlight. Therefore, they are not prepared for sunbathing, and they may burn more quickly, which increases the risk of developing skin tumours. When starting sunbathing, gradation is the most important rule to observe, since it is not possible to tan in only a few days.
The sun damages the skin much more by default than it did a few decades ago, as the ozone layer, depleted due to human activity, filters less the harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation. This year, most people have spent far more time indoors than usual during recent weeks. Given that people were less exposed to the sun, their skin is now less prepared for the summer period. During the past weeks, people were not able to acquire a base tan, which is normally available as early as April and can provide the basis for intense summer sunbathing.
The most important thing is for everyone to be aware of the type and properties of their own skin. Tan skin has become more and more fashionable in recent years, but light-skinned people do not usually tan well, and their skin tends to burn. ‘The tanning process is a form of cell damage due to the depletion of the ozone layer, and the sun damages the skin much more than it did a few decades ago,’ said Dr. Enikő Kuroli, clinical specialist at Semmelweis University’s Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology.
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Light-skinned people should start sunbathing in the early morning or late afternoon, when UV radiation is much lower. ‘They should take special care to use premium quality, high protection sunscreens to avoid skin damage,’ the specialist added, ‘and here are day creams that also have sunscreen properties.’ During the holidays, it is obvious to use sunscreen, but they are also recommended to be used on a daily basis. Also, it is important to pay attention to physical sun protection, such as wearing a hat. For example, it has been observed that the scalp of bald men has more tumours in old age. However, wearing a baseball cap is not recommended, as the ears and neck, or even the forehead, can be burned. Flanged hats prove to be the best choice, and, in terms of clothing, light summer wear such as linen is recommended in the coming months.
It is of utmost importance to always put sunscreen on children, as they do not know how much time they can spend in the sun. It is also crucial to constantly replenish the sun protection on the beach after bathing. There are also long-sleeved T-shirts on the market with a UV filter function, which do not require the use of sunscreen. Wearing sunglasses is also recommended as there is melanocyte in the eye as well.
UV-A radiation is responsible for premature skin aging, and UV-B is responsible for sunburn and blistering sunburn. With the occurrence of the latter, the chances of developing malignant skin tumours increase. ‘The skin does not forget, it “remembers” the blistering sunburns, and these are closely related to the development of adult skin tumours among white people,’ said Dr. Kuroli.
There is no melanin in light skin, and this pigment serves the purpose of trapping incoming UV rays. In the skin, melanin ultimately plays the same role as the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Anyone who does not have melanin in their skin cannot absorb these rays, so their skin is damaged much more, and in the case of those who tan, the incoming solar radiation causes extraordinary melanin production. This process can be considered as a kind of cell damage in itself, which is not a serious problem, but it is especially important to avoid sunburn. ‘You cannot tan in one day, and the principle of gradation must be followed,’ underlined Dr. Enikő Kuroli.
Translation: Diána Módos
