Exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn and damage your skin. However, you may be able to improve the spots by taking proper care after sunbathing. Know how to choose the right sunscreen, how to apply it, and how to take care of it to keep your skin beautiful.
Why sunburn causes blemishes
When the skin is inflamed by UV rays, the skin produces a pigment called melanin to prepare for damage. When this melanin deposits on the skin, it becomes a tanned black skin color. This tanning condition is temporary, and when turnover (rebirth of the skin) occurs, the melanin pigment also peels off and the skin returns to normal skin color.However, if you continue to be damaged by UV rays, melanin production will be excessive and turnover will be disturbed due to aging, and melanin will not be discharged well and will be accumulated in cells. This will cause stains.
Therefore, it does not mean that spots will appear immediately after being exposed to UV rays and getting a tan. Melanin, the source of blemishes, begins to be produced about 3 days after exposure to UV rays, and it takes several years to decades to appear on the skin as blemishes, which varies from person to person. In order to keep your skin beautiful in the future, it is important to take care of your skin by taking proper measures against UV rays on a daily basis.
How to choose the right sunscreen
What is important when choosing a sunscreen is the UV protection index such as "SPF" and "PA". “SPF” indicates how much UV-B rays that cause spots are prevented, and “PA” indicates how much UV-A rays that cause wrinkles and sagging are prevented.The higher the index, the higher the UV protection effect, but the burden on the skin may be greater, so it is better to choose the one that suits your skin type and use it according to the part and scene. .
In addition, sunscreens are classified into two types: "absorbers" and "scatterers". Absorbers absorb UV rays and convert UV energy into heat energy before releasing it to prevent adverse effects on the skin. On the other hand, scattering agents diffusely reflect UV rays on the surface of the skin, preventing adverse effects on the skin. Depending on your skin type, it can be a burden and cause rough skin, so know the characteristics and choose carefully.
Correct way to apply sunscreen
Make sure you apply the sunscreen correctly on each part of your body so that it works effectively. Also, since it comes off easily when you sweat, it is recommended to reapply every 1 to 2 hours when you are outdoors.how to apply on face
Take an appropriate amount of sunscreen on your palm and place it on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. Carefully and evenly spread on both cheeks, forehead, nose, around the mouth, chin, and around the eyes.how to apply on neck
Take an appropriate amount of sunscreen on your palm, place it on your neck and collar, and spread it evenly from the top to the bottom of your neck.How to apply to hands and feet
Apply the sunscreen directly onto the skin in a line and spread the sunscreen over the entire palm in a circular motion. At that time, don't forget to apply it to your elbows, knees, and the tops of your hands and feet.how to apply on lips
Since the skin on your lips is thin, sun exposure can make them dry. To protect your lips from sunburn, apply a lip balm with UV protection every 2-3 hours. Be careful not to use face and body sunscreens on delicate lips as they are difficult to remove.How to prevent sunburned skin
If you are exposed to UV rays and get a sunburn, it is important to take care of your skin immediately to prevent it. Here are some specific preventive measures.cool the skin
A sunburn is like a burn, so cool down immediately to calm the inflammation. Apply running water or ice, wrap an ice pack in a towel, spray mineral water, or apply a wet towel to cool the skin. At that time, it is important to take care of it gently so that it does not put a burden on the skin without pressing hard.If you feel pain or itching, you should use an ointment or ointment containing anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Moisturize
Sunburned skin is extremely dry, so use lotion, milky lotion, cream, and other skin care products that have a high moisturizing effect. Using items that contain ingredients such as vitamin C and tranexamic acid are even more effective.When applying lotion, be sure to touch your skin gently and carefully. If you feel pain or itching on your skin, wait until the inflammation subsides before applying skin care.
Care with whitening cosmetics
Once the skin inflammation subsides, we recommend taking care of your skin with quasi-drug whitening cosmetics. Many of the active ingredients in whitening cosmetics, such as vitamin C derivatives, hydroquinone, ozonated glycerin (melanokiller), and arbutin, act on the production of melanin. .Incorporate beneficial nutrients into your diet
In order to prevent spots caused by sunburn, it is also important to be conscious of a diet that incorporates nutrients in a well-balanced manner.Each nutrient is found in large amounts in the following foods:
- Vitamin A: Broccoli, carrots, Japanese mustard spinach, etc.
- Vitamin C: lemon, red paprika, acerola, strawberry, kiwi, etc.
- Vitamin E: avocado, pumpkin, peanuts, etc.
- Carotene: green and yellow vegetables such as carrots/spinach/pumpkin, citrus fruits, watermelon, etc.