Carry sunscreen with you all year round!

Sunscreen. First it burns and burns, and then it hurts unpleasantly! And what's worse, you don't even know when it will get you. That's why instead of curing, it's better to prevent sunburn. Just why do we most often remind ourselves about sunscreen only when we plan a vacation?And what about your skin? Why should sunscreen always be in your handy essentials?

Cosmetologist Agnieszka Kozlowska, M.D., will try to answer these questions.

Sunlight, i.e. ultraviolet radiation, has harmful effects on the skin. Often you are not aware that daily walks in full sunlight, with exposed skin cause in the long term its photo-aging and the formation of hyperpigmentation. In addition, acute conditions, i.e. sunburn, can later lead to vasodilation of blood vessels, dryness and dehydration of the skin, DNA degradation and even skin cancer.

As we age, signs of photoaging become more and more visible. Patients who come to see me are surprised to learn that these are the most difficult lesions to eradicate. To make matters worse, no matter where you are, UVA and UVB rays are everywhere, so it's worth taking preventive measures. And that's for the WHOLE YEAR.

What are UVB and UVA radiation?

UVB rays are shorter and are responsible for skin burns in summer, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin regardless of the season, causing photoaging and also increasing the risk of skin cancer.

To prevent the negative effects of radiation, it is necessary to use sun protection with a factor of at least 30 SPF. At office visits, I always emphasize that for skin protection to be effective, only professional cosmetics should be used, such as Mesoestetic's Mesoprotech line - a line of new generation sunscreens for all skin types.

The sunscreens we choose should have information about protection against UVA rays - it affects the deep layers of the skin destroying collagen without visible irritation on the skin, and UVB - it irritates the skin, causing redness and burning. It is UVB radiation that has a carcinogenic effect.

Which filters to use?

You can choose between two basic sunscreens:

-Minerals that reflect the sun's rays like a mirror. They do not cause irritation or sensitization. They are ideal for children and people with skin allergies or other skin conditions. They cause a whitening effect on the skin, due to their content of zinc oxide, among other things.

-Chemicals, which absorb radiation. They will better protect the skin from UVA radiation, while they can cause irritation to sensitive skin. It is important when using them to watch the time between applications.

Let's remember! Sunscreens minimize the risk of negative consequences, but do not eliminate them.