Myths and facts about sun protection

The sun’s UV rays accelerate skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer. Almost every child knows that by now. But myths also abound about sun protection. How often do we need to reapply sunscreen? And why is a mineral sunscreen better – or is it? 10 myths: true or false?

Every skin has its own protection against harmful UV radiation. Lighter-skinned people are more sensitive to sun exposure and damage. Sun creams extend the skin's own protection by the factor stated on the packaging. Example: A very fair-skinned person has a self-protection of around 10 minutes. Wearing SPF 30 means you could be in the sun for around 300 minutes. But sunbathing with a stopwatch is pure theory. Firstly, many people underestimate their skin’s sensitivity. That’s why the Swiss Cancer League stopped recommending protection based on skin type many years ago. On the other hand, sweat, water and exercise will rub off the sunscreen before it reaches its maximum duration. 

Many sun worshippers believe that reapplying sunscreen means they are protected all over again. But that’s not true. Regardless of skin type, the specified protection is only valid once per day. Nevertheless, you still have to reapply cream every now and then to maintain the protection, Because the creams do not stick.

A sunscreen that stands up to anything would be handy, but unfortunately there is no such thing. Creams are considered “water-resistant” if they still offer at least 50% of the declared protection after being wet. So even water-resistant sunscreens definitely need to be reapplied after swimming to maintain protection. 

That’s actually true. Most people don’t use enough sunscreen. This is not an area where you want to cut corners. If you don’t apply enough sunscreen, your sun protection can be reduced significantly. The Swiss Cancer League recommends applying plenty of sunscreen once and then reapplying after 15 minutes. This also protects the areas that were perhaps forgotten the first time. 

This is false. However, it is a good idea to let the sunscreen dry on your skin first before you go out in the sun and sweat. When the cream holds better on the skin, it is less likely to rub off. Ideally, you should apply the cream about 30 minutes before going into the sun.

Some moles are genetic. Others only develop during the course of your life, with sun exposure promoting their formation. Moles are basically harmless, but in some cases they can develop into skin cancer. According to the Swiss Cancer League, one-fifth of all melanomas result from an existing mole. Most of them are therefore newly formed. Most are newly formed. However, if you have more than 100 moles, you belong to the risk group and should protect yourself particularly well from the sun and regularly check your skin for changes. 

It’s natural that if you do sport, you sweat. Drying off the sweat or having contact with water reduces the sun protection significantly. It is essential to reapply sunscreen frequently and to use a product with a high sun protection factor. If you are exposed to the sun all day, you should also protect yourself by wearing trousers, long sleeves and a sun hat. UV radiation is particularly high in the mountains, increasing by about 10% for every 1,000 metres of altitude. Water sports also pose an increased risk, as the reflection of the water intensifies the UV radiation. Special UV textiles are recommended for longer stays on the water. By the way: The best time to exercise is early in the morning until 10 am. 

The best way to do it is to let the sunscreen soak in for about 30 minutes before applying any mosquito and tick repellents. This is due to the product properties. While sunscreen absorbs easily into the skin, water-soluble mosquito and tick repellents lie on top. This also means that the mosquito repellent tends to last a little less long than sunscreen and needs to be reapplied more often.

The lips are often forgotten when it comes to sun protection. Unlike other parts of the body, however, these are particularly exposed to UV rays. Exposure to strong sunlight not only triggers cold sores, it also causes the skin around the lips to age more quickly. They lose volume, and fine lines can appear around the mouth. Last but not least, the lips are also at risk of skin cancer.

Chemical (organic) and/or mineral (physical) UV filters are responsible for the protection in sunscreens. Chemical filters absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, while physical filters reflect it. The advantage of chemical filters is that they provide very high protection which is not achieved with mineral filters. Plus, sunscreens with chemical filters absorb better into the skin. Animal experiments have shown hormone-like effects from chemical filters, but the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) says that this is not known to occur in humans. A further drawback is that certain chemical filters can bleach coral, whereas mineral UV filters are much more environmentally friendly. They are especially recommended for babies and toddlers as they are kinder on the skin. On the other hand, they are more difficult to apply. Some mineral sun creams also contain nanoparticles that are suspected of being absorbed by the body. but this has not been not scientifically proven. So, it’s up to you and your requirements whether you opt for a chemical or mineral sunscreen. In fact, many manufacturers combine both.