If the sun burns properly from the sky, protection from the tube should actually be indispensable. Nevertheless, different claims are circulating year after year on the effects of sunscreen. Our fact check brings light into the dark of the sunscreen myths.
Summer, sun, beach: The hot days lure outdoors. And like every year, myths are booming about sunscreen. Does a high protection factor really protect better? Does a vegan diet contribute to the protection of the skin? Record the sun protection after applying the sun protection? This fact check shows what is true – and what is not.
#1: creaming in the sun is enough
This claim is wrong.
The facts: The filters in the sunscreens need some time to develop their full effect. “Ideally, you take a thoroughly take into account at least half an hour before staying in the sun,” advises Morten Lehmann, pharmacist and heat protection officer of the North Rhine Chamber of Pharmacists. “Even with products on which ‘immediately effective’, I advise you to apply it earlier.
Background: Chemical (also: organic) UV filters act by absorb UV rays and convert into harmless heat. This process only really begins when the fabrics are completely absorbed into the upper layer of skin. In mineral filters (e.g. with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that reflect the UV rays, the effect begins immediately.
#2: Applications extends the sun protection
This claim is wrong.
The facts: The Federal Office for Radiation Protection recommends that you apply it to apply 20 to 30 minutes before sunbathing. In order for the protective effect of the sunscreen to be preserved, regular recording is important: “At least every two hours and especially after swimming and drying”. The prerequisite is that the sun protection lasts for so long.
Because the protection time in the sun cannot extend it, explains dermatologist Christoph Liebich from Munich. “For example, if I now have a sun protection factor of ten and a self -protection time of ten minutes, it is over after 100 minutes. Then it is no longer useful if I perform the tens or even the fifties again.” Then the radiation has already penetrated the skin and the protection time expired. Nevertheless, it makes sense to apply it in the cases mentioned to maintain the existing protection.
It is important to apply enough sunscreen from the start: According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, the sun protection factor applies at a lot of two milligrams per square centimeter. For an adult, this corresponds to about four heaped tablespoons of sunscreen for the whole body.
#3: You don’t have to apply a waterproof sunscreen
This claim is wrong.
The facts: According to the EU directive, sunscreen is considered “waterproof” if they still have at least half of their sun protection factor after twice 20 minutes in the pool or in the sea. “Extra waterproof” means that after four times 20 minutes there is still at least 50 percent of the protection in the water. “There can be no longer any talk of sufficient sun protection. In addition, this also disappears from drying,” emphasizes Lehmann. His tip: Bring thoroughly after every stay in the water.
#4: Day cream is sufficient as a light sun protection
This claim is correct in some cases.
The facts: For sun protection through a day cream, it is crucial that it contains a UV filter at all. If this is not the case, there is of course no sun protection, emphasizes Kerstin Effers, consultant for the environment and health protection at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center. The sun protection factor should be specified on the packaging. “Without this information, the protective effect for consumers cannot be assessed,” says Effers. Experts also advise a high sun protection factor for day creams.
In addition, it is important to apply a sufficient amount of day creams as well as with sunscreen. Dermatologist Liebich fears that some people lubricate too little on the face of expensive creams – after all, it is often a luxury product. “If you do not apply the recommended amount, a low protective factor offers even less protection,” explains Liebich. If you are afraid to apply enough, you should rather use the classic sunscreen.
#5: Bad weather protects against sunburn
This claim is wrong.
The facts: Even if the sun cannot be seen directly, its radiation is there – and affects the skin. With mild to medium cloud, up to 80 percent of the UV radiation still reach the ground. Some clouds can even reinforce the UV radiation by further sprinkling the sunlight. This is because UV rays-in contrast to the warming infrared rays-have a much shorter wavelength and easily penetrate clouds, fog or wind.
Added:
- In higher altitudes (e.g. when hiking or skiing), UV radiation increases by about 10 to 15 percent with each 1,000 meters of altitude.
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Water, sand, concrete or snow reflect UV radiation strongly-up to 80 percent in fresh snow-which also increases the risk of sunburn.
- Even in the shade you are not completely protected, as sprinkled UV radiation continues to meet the skin.
#6: Pre -browning in the solarium protects the skin
This claim is wrong.
The facts: If you lie down in the sun or in the solarium, you get ultraviolet radiation. Basically, a distinction is made between three types: UVA, UVB and UVC. The UVA radiation is the part of the radiation that penetrates into the dermis (dermis). The UVB radiation, on the other hand, only reaches the above skin. UVC rays are so short-wave that they are already intercepted by the ozone layer.
The sunbed only ensures a “dirty tan” that does not build real protection, says dermatologist Liebich. The light used in solariums mainly consists of UVA rays, which ensure a quick but not permanent tan. The UVB radiation is often filtered out. “To build protection, we also need a UVB share that is prohibited in the solarium.”
In general, there is a radiation exposure when browning in the solarium. It is not for nothing that solariums are prohibited for people under the age of 18. “Every additional radiation is not good,” emphasizes Liebich.
#7: Vegan diet protects against sunburn
This claim is wrong.
The facts: Browning protected by vegan nutrition – that sounds tempting. But contradict experts. Vitamin A and beta-carotins, which occur primarily in healthy foods, can ensure natural protection of the skin-also from the sun, according to the Federal Association of German Pharmacists’ Associations. However, this alone is not sufficient to preserve the skin with a high UV index from sunburn.
For example, vegetables and fruit are the most important sources for humans in the beta carotins. Anyone who eats a lot of it gets “secondary plant dyes, which then simply protect the skin from sunburn,” explains Liebich. However, the basis must always be a sunscreen, because the diet alone does not build up a real protection factor, according to the dermatologist.
#8: A lot of sun promotes vitamin D supply
This claim is essentially correct, but it is misleading if it is used without restrictions.
The facts: it does not depend on a lot, but on moderate and targeted dosed solar radiation. Vitamin D plays an important role for the body, for example for bone health. The body cannot form without the sun. In fact, the body forms about 80–90 percent of its vitamin D over UV-B radiation in the skin, especially in the summer months.
Already 5 to 25 minutes of sunlight on the face, hands and forearms, are usually sufficient to cover the vitamin D requirement-depending on the skin type, latitude, season and time of day. Longer sun baths do not bring any additional benefits, as the production then stops on its own.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), it is enough to expose yourself to the sun in short, but regularly-but without sunburn.
#9: sunscreen can fall
The claim is right.
The facts: sunscreen can also spoil. There are several reasons that you shouldn’t keep cream and Co. too long. On the one hand, protection against UV light subsides. This can lead to sunburn at short notice and increase the risk of skin cancer in the long term. Therefore, the manufacturers indicate how many months a sunscreen should be used after opening. A small symbol with a number and a “M” serves. For example, “12m” means twelve months. A note with the opening date on the bottle can help.
In addition, benzophenon is created in many sunscrees, which may be carcinogenic. Researchers found this in a study for the ‘American Chemical Society’. Benzophenon gradually arises from octocrylas. Many sunscreens contain this chemical because it protects against UVB rays. In the experiment, the researchers simulated an annual aging of the product. Striking and one reason more to dispose of sun milk from the previous year: benzophenon can also form in unopened packaging.
With material of the dpa.
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