INFINITY Information Bureau News A doctor who is a skin cancer survivor tells us! Three lessons on sun protection that you should know in your 20s. What is the secret to avoiding regrets? #skincancer #sunprotection #health
Video explanation
Dermatologist and skin cancer survivor shares three sun care tips he wishes he'd told himself in his 20s
"Having skin cancer three times was a huge shock and a wake-up call for me."
These are the words of a dermatologist who has overcome skin cancer himself. Sunlight is very important, as it helps our bodies produce the vitamin D we need and brightens our moods. However, there are some things in the sunlight that are "Ultraviolet raysIt also contains light that requires some caution when it comes to your skin and body.
Especially when we are young, we tend to think, "It's okay if I get a little sunburn!" However, today's talk is an important tip for getting along well with the sun, which an expert regrets saying, "I wish I had told this to myself in my 20s!" Why not start with something simple you can do today for your future self?
Tip 1: The sun is your friend, but “protect yourself every day” is the new normal!
In the past, did you think that it was okay to only apply sunscreen on special days like going to the beach or the mountains? In fact, this is a big pitfall.
There are two main types of ultraviolet rays that reach us from the sun. Remember them well!
- UVB rays (leisure UV rays): This is ultraviolet light that mainly acts on the surface of the skin and directly causes what we call "sunburn," such as redness, stinging, and blisters. It can also cause spots and freckles. It's good to remember that "B" stands for burn.
- UVA waves (life ultraviolet rays)This penetrates deep into the skin, into the dermis, and gradually damages it. This is what causes wrinkles and sagging skin.Photoaging" (skin aging caused by sunlight) is a major cause of UVA rays. What's more, UVA rays can pass through window glass, so even if you're indoors, you shouldn't let your guard down. Remember that the "A" stands for "aging."
The thing dermatologists regret the most is, "Even on cloudy days, rainy days, or when just going shopping,Apply sunscreen every day without fail" UV rays hit our skin all year round, regardless of the weather. We are exposed to UV rays in all aspects of our daily lives, such as when commuting to work or school, hanging out the laundry, or spending time by the window. Just like brushing your teeth and washing your face every morning, it is important to make sunscreen a daily habit as the final step of your skin care routine. As the saying goes, "Even small amounts of damage can add up," and the accumulation of small amounts of UV damage every day can make a big difference years or decades down the line.
Tip 2: "Apply generously and frequently" is the key! How to use sunscreen correctly
Even if you apply sunscreen, if you don't use enough or forget to reapply it, you won't get the desired effect. Make sure you master the correct way to use it!
- How much is the appropriate amount?
If you apply it to your entire face, a good rule of thumb is about the size of a 500 yen coin for liquid sunscreen, or about the size of two large pearls for cream sunscreen. The key is to apply a generous amount, even if it feels a little too much. If you apply too little, the effects indicated on the sunscreen (such as SPF2) will not be fully realized.
- Check out the areas you should not forget to paint!
When applying to the face, be sure to apply it properly along the hairline, between the eyebrows, the sides of the nostrils, and along the jawline (contour of the face).Neck, back of neck, décolleté (chest), ears (including earlobes and behind the ears!), backs of hands, tops of feetThese are all the parts of the body that are exposed through clothing. In particular, the neck and the backs of the hands are areas that easily show age, so it's important to protect them properly.
- Don't forget to repaint frequently!
Sunscreen will come off if you sweat or rub your skin with a towel.Reapply every 2 to 3 hoursBe sure to reapply after swimming in the ocean or pool, or after sweating a lot while playing sports.
- What are SPF and PA?
Sunscreen often says, "SPF" This is an abbreviation for "Sun Protection Factor" and is a number that indicates the effectiveness of protection against UVB rays (leisure UV rays). The higher the number, the greater the protection. For example, SPF30 means that it will delay the onset of sunburn caused by UVB rays by 30 times compared to not wearing any sunscreen.It is not about "how long the effect lasts"So even if the SPF is high, you still need to reapply it!
Another one:PA" This stands for "Protection Grade of UVA" and indicates the degree of effectiveness in blocking UVA rays (ultraviolet rays in daily life) with the number of "+"s. There are four levels, from "PA+" to "PA++++", and the more "+"s there are, the better the protection against UVA rays. Be sure to check the PA rating to ensure that you are also blocking UVA rays, which can cause blemishes, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Tip 3: Don't just use sunscreen! Combine with other products for the ultimate UV protection
Sunscreen is the basic measure to protect yourself from UV rays, but you can prevent UV rays more effectively by combining it with other items rather than relying solely on it. It's a "combination technique" so to speak!
- Physical guarding is also super important!
- hat:A wide-brimmed hat (ideally 7cm or more) can significantly reduce UV rays that reach your face, neck, and ears. There are many stylish designs, so you can enjoy them as a fashion item as well.
- sunglasses:Your eyes can also be damaged by UV rays. If you are exposed to strong UV rays for a long period of time, your risk of eye diseases such as cataracts (a condition in which the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy) can increase. In addition, the skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate, so it is prone to blemishes and wrinkles. Make it a habit to wear sunglasses with UV protection when going out. Just because the lens color is dark does not mean that it has a high UV protection effect, so it is important to check the "UV protection rate" and "UV transmittance" labels before making your selection.
- parasol:It is very effective in avoiding direct sunlight. Recently, there are many types that can be used in both rain and shine, and are lightweight and compact. Those with dark colors or black interiors are said to be effective in preventing reflections.
- UV-blocking clothing:It can also be called "wearable sunscreen."UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor)We also recommend clothing that displays this rating. UPF is a number that indicates how well a garment blocks UV rays, with UPF50+ providing very high protection. Even long sleeves and long pants can let UV rays through easily depending on the material and weave, so UPF ratings are a reliable indicator. Even with regular clothing, darker colors and tightly woven fabrics tend to let UV rays through less easily.
- Be mindful of the time of day too!
UV rays are strongest during the day when10:2am to XNUMX:XNUMXpmIt is said that it is important to avoid being outside for long periods during this time, and if you do go out, choose to walk in the shade. It is also a good idea to go shopping or take a walk early in the morning or in the evening.
Why is sun protection so important?
After reading this far, some of you may be thinking, "That seems like a bit of a hassle..." However, there are really important reasons why it is important to take proper measures against UV rays.
First of all, as the dermatologist I mentioned at the beginning said, excessive exposure to UV raysSkin Cancer RiskAlthough early detection and treatment of skin cancer is very important, prevention is the best option in the first place.
And one more thing you should not forget:Photoaging" It is said that about 8% of aging phenomena such as skin blemishes, wrinkles, and sagging skin are not caused by aging itself, but by years of exposure to UV rays. Even if you don't notice it when you're young, damage from UV rays quietly accumulates deep in the skin, and one day it may suddenly appear on the surface as blemishes or wrinkles. In order to avoid regretting later, saying "I should have taken better care of my skin back then...", taking measures against UV rays every day is an investment in your future self.
Tweets by John (author)
Wow, what the dermatologist said today really hit home. It's a big mistake to think "it's okay because I'm young!" and I was reminded that it's the small things we do every day that make a big difference to our skin and health in the future. In particular, the talk about "daily ultraviolet rays (UVA rays)" means that we can't let our guard down even when we're inside, so starting today, I might rethink how I spend my time by the window (lol). If you read this article and think "I can do this!" then I hope you'll try incorporating at least one of them. Your future self will surely be grateful!
This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
I'm A Derm & Skin Cancer Survivor: 3 Things I Wish I Knew In My 20s