The scorching sun and relentless heat continue to take a toll on our skin. Excessive exposure to strong sunlight and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to skin issues such as melasma and freckles, ultimately accelerating the aging process. The primary culprit behind skin aging is none other than UV rays, which makes it all the more surprising that only a few take adequate measures to protect their skin from them.
The first step towards achieving and maintaining healthy skin is through proper UV care. Ultraviolet light is categorized into UVA, UVB, and UVC based on their wavelengths. UVB, with a wavelength range of 280 to 320 nanometers (nm), and UVA, with a wavelength range of 320 to 400 nm, are the ones we primarily aim to block. Conversely, UVC (280~200nm) doesn’t negatively impact our skin as it gets absorbed by the ozone layer.
UVA makes up a whopping 90% of the UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface. It directly affects the epidermis by triggering immediate pigmentation, resulting in an instant darkening of the skin after sun exposure. Furthermore, it causes cell transformation, which contributes to skin aging, including the emergence of wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and even skin cancer. UVB, with its shorter wavelength, also plays a role in skin aging and can cause adverse reactions like redness, itching, and blisters, primarily from sunburns. Thus, protecting our skin from both UVB and UVA wavelengths is crucial for effective skincare.
Professor Uuri Uri, a dermatology expert at Incheon St. Hospital, warns, “Sustained and excessive tanning can lead to skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the risk of cancer, particularly malignant melanoma. Additionally, it accelerates the aging process, resulting in more noticeable fine lines, deep wrinkles, blemishes, and pigmentation.”
During outdoor activities in the summer, it is crucial to reapply sunscreen frequently. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in sunscreen indicates the duration it can safeguard the skin from UV rays without causing any harm. However, higher SPF isn’t always better, as it may irritate the skin. For short and simple outdoor activities, using products with a PA++ (blocks UVA) and SPF 25-30 or higher should suffice. To maximize the effectiveness of sunscreen, it’s advisable to apply it in the recommended quantity. Generally, the ideal amount is around 2 mg per cm2. When applying only to the face, a fingertip-sized portion is typically adequate.
Professor Uuri suggests an alternative approach, stating, “If applying the entire recommended amount of sunscreen seems excessive and may lead to skin whitening, try splitting it into two halves. Apply the first half around 30 minutes before going outdoors and the second half just before leaving. This way, you can ensure more efficient usage of sunscreen.”
When our skin is heated by intense sunlight or subjected to sunburns, using natural packs with ingredients like cucumber, potato, or aloe can help cool and soothe the skin. However, even though these packs are natural, there is still a risk of secondary infections caused by impurities in the ingredients like pesticides, molds, and bacteria. Hence, it is crucial to use freshly washed natural ingredients when preparing such packs. Additionally, it’s best to avoid ice packs as they can cause a sudden temperature change on the skin, potentially damaging it.
Moreover, in the peak of summer, it’s natural for one to wash their face frequently to remove sweat. However, excessive face washing can actually harm the skin’s protective barrier, even with the use of face wash or water. Typically, washing the face twice a day is advisable. However, since sweat itself has the potential to irritate the skin, it’s recommended to wash your face with water after sweating excessively, akin to being caught in the rain. Nevertheless, frequent face washing can weaken the skin’s barrier, so it’s essential to use a lightweight moisturizer consistently.
Professor Uuri emphasizes, “The air conditioner wind is a major factor leading to skin dryness during summer. Direct exposure to the air conditioner wind on the face or body can exacerbate the dryness. Therefore, it’s best to avoid direct wind exposure while enjoying the benefits of air conditioning.”
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The sun burns and the steamy heat continues day after day. Strong sunlight and ultraviolet rays can overuse the skin and cause pigmentation such as melasma and freckles. Because of this, summer accelerates the aging of the skin. The main culprit of skin aging is ‘ultraviolet rays’. Everyone knows, but surprisingly few people protect their skin well from UV rays.
The first step in healthy skin care, UV care
Ultraviolet light can be divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC depending on the wavelength. The UV wavelengths we mainly block are UVB and UVA. UVB has a wavelength of 280 to 320 nm (nanometers), and UVA has a longer wavelength of 320 to 400 nm. On the other hand, UVC (280~200nm) does not affect the skin because it is mainly absorbed by the ozone layer.
UVA makes up 90% of the UV rays that reach the earth’s surface. It acts mainly on melanin in the epidermis and causes immediate pigmentation, such as turning the skin black immediately after exposure to sunlight. It also causes cell transformation, which affects skin aging (wrinkles, loss of elasticity, etc.) and skin cancer. UVB, which has a shorter wavelength, also affects skin aging, but can cause skin reactions such as redness, itching, and blisters, mainly due to sunburn. Therefore, it is good to block UVB and UVA wavelengths for skin care.
Uuri Uri, professor of dermatology at Incheon St. Hospital said. Mary, Catholic University of Korea, “Continuous and excessive tanning can cause skin health problems such as the risk of skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays.” It can increase the risk of cancer, malignant melanoma, etc., and accelerate the aging of the skin, such as more fine or deep wrinkles, blemishes, and pigmentation.”
Reapply sunscreen frequently during outdoor activities in the summer.
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) used in sunscreen means the ‘blocking time’ that can protect the skin from UV rays without damaging them.
Of course, high SPF is not always good. Products with too high an index can irritate the skin. If you only do simple outdoor activities for a short time, it is enough to only use PA++ (blocks UVA) and SPF 25-30 or higher. In order for sunscreen to have the effect indicated on the product, it is good to use it according to the recommended amount. Usually, the recommended amount of sunscreen is 2 mg per cm2. When applied to the face only, it is usually about the size of a fingertip.
Professor Uyuri said, “If you use all the recommended amount of sunscreen, skin whitening can occur, and it is not easy to apply all the recommended amount in daily life.” “Twice half the recommended amount 30 minutes before going out If you apply it separately, you can use sunscreen more effectively.”
Be careful of gastric glands with natural packs, washing too much soap can damage the skin barrier
When the skin is heated by strong sunlight or sunburned, it can be useful to use a pack using cucumber, potato or aloe to cool and soothe the skin. However, even if it is a natural package, there may be a risk of secondary infection due to impurities in the material or ingredients such as pesticides, molds and bacteria. Therefore, when preparing a natural pack, it is good to wash and use fresh natural ingredients. In addition, it is best to avoid ice packs as they can damage the skin by causing a rapid temperature change of the skin in contrast to the heated skin.
Also, in the middle of summer, you wash your face as often as you sweat, but excessive face washing can damage the skin barrier even with frequent use of face wash or frequent use of water. In general, washing your face twice a day may be appropriate, but sweat itself can irritate the skin, so if you sweat a lot like rain, it’s best to wash your face with water after sweating a lot. However, if you wash your face often, the skin’s barrier can break down due to frequent washing. It is good to use a light moisturizer continuously.
Professor Uyuri said, “Air conditioner wind is the main factor affecting skin dryness in summer, and direct exposure to air conditioner wind on the face or body can make the skin drier.” It is fine to use as long as you avoid direct wind.”
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