We all know the theory, but not all of us put it into practice: we must protect our skin from the sun. Summer begins, we change the style of clothing and the amount of skin we leave exposed increases. In addition, the days are getting longer, we have more daylight hours and we feel like spending more time outdoors. All this makes us expose our skin in greater quantities and for a longer time to solar radiation. And it is true that we all like to enjoy the sun, but it is essential to ensure that it is healthy and responsible.
We usually keep sunscreen in mind when going to the beach, the pool or the mountains, but we often forget about it when going for a walk or having a drink on a terrace at noon. The sun hits our skin wherever we are, of course. For some time now, one of ISDIN’s main objectives has been to eradicate skin cancer and to achieve this, they carry out, among many other actions, training and awareness initiatives for society in general.
Dr. Georgina Logusso, Medical Marketing Manager at ISDIN, knows that we are increasingly informed and are more aware of the precautions we must take before the star king. But “there is still a long way to go,” says the doctor.
How important is photoprotection?
This is the simplest and most important measure to protect our skin from ultraviolet radiation. Incorporating a sunscreen daily will help us prevent the harmful effects of the sun in the long term, mainly premature aging, as well as the appearance of premalignant and malignant lesions. Unprotected exposure increases photo-aging, induces the appearance of wrinkles, spots and loss of skin elasticity. In addition, it has been proven that people who have sunbathed a lot throughout their lives are more likely to develop skin cancer. In fact, the vast majority of skin cancer cases are due to excessive sun exposure.
Do you think there is enough information so that people can be aware of the importance of protecting themselves from the sun?
People are increasingly informed, it is true. But there’s still a lot to do. Tanning culture prevails in our society. Tanning level is often associated with the level of vacation enjoyment. That is to say, it seems that the more tanned, the more the summer has been enjoyed. It is true that the culture of photoprotection can still improve in our country, but luckily every day there are more people aware of the importance of protecting ourselves from the sun to enjoy it in a healthier and safer way.
Awareness campaigns, then, are really important.
Of course. At ISDIN we carry out various outreach and awareness actions, many of them related to children, since it is extremely important to adopt good habits at this stage. For more than 25 years we have been conducting training in schools across the country to teach students the importance of protecting themselves from the sun. In the same way that we carry out training for the ballkids of major international tennis tournaments, such as Godó or the Mutua Madrid Open. Now we have brought the beach to Madrid so that all the people of Madrid who pass in front of it could get information and even carry out a skin check.
We usually use sunscreen, especially in summer and, specifically, when going to the beach or the pool. But it is said that we should use throughout the year. Is it so?
It’s true. In general, we use photoprotection in summer to avoid, mainly, burns caused by UVB radiation, especially at noon. But in reality, we should use sunscreen from dawn to dusk, which is when sunlight is present, either on the street or through the window. In these cases, we must be aware that UVA radiation and visible light impact us, both of which cause chronic sun damage. Therefore, the best way to prevent damage caused by the sun is to apply photoprotection daily and throughout the year.
What should we take into account when choosing the sunscreen?
It is very important that the protector, in whatever format it is, has a high SPF, at least 30 and, if it is higher, better. It must also be broad-spectrum and, very important, that we like it. Because if using it is a pleasant experience, it will make it easier for us to use it and to reapply it every two hours.
Do you recommend regular dermatological check-ups? How often should we do it?
I not only recommend it, but I think it is absolutely necessary. Undergoing a dermatological examination is essential to prevent serious situations of skin cancer or late diagnoses. The ideal is to visit the dermatologist once a year and every time we have a question about the status of a mole or a spot on the skin. This recommendation is especially important after the age of 50, which is when the incidence of cancer begins to become noticeable. However, it is vital to protect ourselves from a young age since, with only 5 skin burns before the age of 20, the risk of suffering melanoma increases by 80%.
What are the warning signs that we should take into account when going to the dermatologist?
The alarm signals have to do with the appearance of spots or with the change in shape of moles. To remember what should call our attention, there is the ABCDE rule, which will help us recognize the warning signs of a mole or skin spot: Asymmetry, means that the shape of one half does not match the other half; Irregular edges, means that they are not smooth or are difficult to define; Color, if the lesion presents different colors; Diameter, if it is greater than six millimeters; Evolution, if any of the previous characteristics has presented changes. We must also take into account the appearance of lesions that we did not have before, that present a more reddish or black tone, or whose appearance is simply different from the others.
Children’s skin is especially sensitive to the sun and, as has been done before, it is very important to educate the youngest to avoid injuries in adulthood.
Today, about 39% of children get sunburn in the summer, and these sunburns are one of the biggest risk factors for the development of melanoma. Children’s skin is very vulnerable to ultraviolet rays, since it is more sensitive and permeable, so its ability to face solar radiation is lower. Prevention, then, should not start when we are already adults, but from childhood. It is often said that the skin has memory, which means that if there is chronic sun exposure, the cellular mutations caused by said exposure will accumulate. It must be taken into account that, after burning ourselves, our skin regenerates, but the cell damage caused by the burn can be permanent.
Finally, can you give us some practical advice to protect our skin from the sun and keep it healthy?
The first and most basic recommendation is to use a photoprotector with a sun protection factor equal to or greater than 30. In the case of very fair and sensitive skin, this should be 50 or 50. In addition, it is important not to expose ourselves to the sun during the central hours of the day, especially in summer. If for any reason you have to be in the sun between 12 noon and 5 pm, it is essential to apply sunscreen every two hours. After-sun products and the intake of antioxidants through a diet rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables are also key when it comes to keeping our skin healthy and protected.
Also, do not forget about clothing and accessories, such as hats and glasses, which are another layer of protection. Finally, hydration: water is an essential part of our body and helps our body in most physiological processes. It is important to always be hydrated and drink between 2 liters and 2.5 liters of water in hot weather. Drinking water will not prevent us from burning, but it will help us recover since dehydrated skin offers less protection against solar radiation.
