Using sun protection correctly: the most common mistakes
SPF, amount, reapplying: why good sun protection usually fails on application, not on the product.
Sun protection is the single most effective measure against skin cancer and skin ageing. In practice it is almost always applied incorrectly.
Too little product
The laboratory values for the SPF are determined with 2 mg per square centimetre. In reality, most people apply less than half – so the actual protection is well below what is stated on the pack. For the face, the correct amount is about two finger-lengths of cream.
Reapplied too rarely
Sun protection loses effect through sweating, rubbing and water. Reapply every two hours – and after every swim or towelling off.
Forgotten areas
Ears, neck, backs of the hands, tops of the feet, the lips and, with thinning hair, the scalp are regularly overlooked. It is precisely there that skin changes appear conspicuously often later on.
Only in summer and only at the beach
UV-A radiation is present all year round, penetrates clouds and window glass, and contributes significantly to skin ageing. For the face and hands, daily protection makes sense – not just on holiday.
What also helps
Textile protection and shade work more reliably than any cream. Radiation is most intense between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; those who seek shade at this time have already gained a lot. From a dermatological point of view, tanning beds are not recommended.
And vitamin D?
A few minutes of sun on small areas of skin are enough for vitamin D production. A sunburn is not necessary for it – and with a confirmed deficiency, supplementation is the more sensible route.