Summer-tanned skin – for many people, this is the ideal of beauty. But a crisp tan is unhealthy and all too often we run the risk of sunburn. We explain how dangerous sunburn is and why you should stay indoors when it’s hot.
If you want to get a tan, you have to go outside in the sun. So far, so clear. But for how long is sunbathing safe? And is sunburn automatically dangerous? Our answers to the most frequently asked questions about tanning and basking in the sun.
How dangerous is sunburn?
You should never take sunburn lightly. It can be very painful in the short term, lead to skin cancer in the long term, and sunburn causes the skin to age. Dermatologist Christian Merkel even warned the SZ newspaper: “Every sunburn counts and increases the risk of skin cancer.”
A sunburn is – as the name suggests – a burn on the skin. As a kind of warning function, the body reacts to too much sun with an inflammation, the sunburn. In the long term, the burn leads to DNA damage, which in turn can cause skin cancer, the dermatologist at the SZ continued.
Skin cancer is a widespread disease. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) states that in Germany, one in seven men and one in nine women will develop skin cancer by the age of 75. The number of cases has increased over the past ten years.
Can I also tan healthily?
Although a light tan may look beautiful and healthy, tanning is purely a protective mechanism for our skin and is not necessary. What’s more, the European Code Against Cancer, a project of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer and the European Union, points out that tanned skin is a sign of sun damage. “There is no such thing as a ‘healthy tan’,” the website states.
However, sunlight is important. Only when our skin comes into contact with the sun can the body produce vitamin D. It only becomes dangerous when we get too much sun.
Is sunscreen enough to prevent sunburn?
First of all, adequate sun protection is important and you should never stay in the sun for long periods of time without sunscreen. However, a high sun protection factor (SPF) alone is not enough to prevent sunburn. You need to reapply sunscreen whenever you have been in the water or sweat.
And more is better: stick to the rule of thumb of 25 milliliters of sunscreen per whole-body application. If the sunscreen runs out quickly, look for a new one that is recommended. Here you can find our tips: Sunscreen test: These are the best sunscreens
Also interesting: Applying cream to your back yourself: This is how it finally works
How long can I tan in the sun?
It is difficult to give an exact time here, because the individual sun exposure time depends primarily on your skin type. People with light skin should be more cautious and not stay in the sun for long, especially if their skin is not yet used to it in spring, for example. Darker skin types do not get sunburned quite as quickly, but should also not go outside for long without sun protection.
Read also: Self-tanner: Why you should stay away from it
At the beginning of summer, it is best to follow the following time guideline: At the beginning, you should not spend more than 20 minutes in the sun. After that, you can increase the time in the sun by a third compared to the previous day.
Midsummer: When can I actually go out in the sun?
On hot, sunny days above 30 degrees Celsius, we recommend that you do not sit or lie directly in the sun. On hot days, take extra care of yourself and those around you (especially seniors and small children). Here are some important tips:
- Put on a hat or cap so that the sun does not burn directly on your head.
- It is better to stay indoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and avoid the sun.
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Drink plenty of water, especially if you sweat a lot.
- It’s better to stay in the shade, you’ll slowly get a tan there too.
- Strenuous exercise in hot weather is not recommended; it is better to move your exercise sessions to early in the morning or evening when it is cooler and the sun is not so strong. Important: Ozone levels can be high in the morning and evening, regardless of the temperature. Even when ozone levels are high, you should protect yourself and, for example, postpone exercise until another time.
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