The art of tanning

If from the medical sector we insist so much on care and prevention when it comes to tanning, it is not to talk about something. The danger exists and its manifestations can be serious. Going dark is an art with two basic rules: little by little and using filters.

Solar radiation and its effect on the skin

Desire to tan leads, most of the time, to sudden and repetitive exposures to sun exposure, causing unwanted effects on the skin, ranging from simple aesthetic degradation (premature aging, pigmentation changes) to elastosis and melanomas. It should not be forgotten that solar radiation produces negative effects that are cumulative and occur once the threshold dose has been exceeded.

Solar capital

The skin has internal protection mechanisms that allow repairing the alterations caused by too intense sun exposures. The set of defense and adaptation mechanisms against these solar attacks constitutes the individual solar capital. This capital will be higher or lower depending on various factors such as genetic factors, skin type, etc ... When these defense mechanisms kick in, the skin consumes "melanin," keratin, and antioxidant vitamins; these substances are replenished as they are used, until a time comes when the premature aging of the systems causes them to be used up. The abuses in the solar exhibition more quickly consume the solar capital; It is estimated that 80% of people use up their solar capital before reaching their twentieth birthday.

Solar filters

It frequently happens that the amount of radiation that reaches our skin exceeds its defense possibilities, so we need additional protection. This protection is provided by "solar filters". To choose the most appropriate for each type of skin we use the concept of "protection factor", which measures the effectiveness of a sunscreen and gives us an idea of ​​how long a person can be in the sun without burning when it is applied on their skin. The skin has internal protection mechanisms that allow repairing the alterations caused by too intense sun exposures.

Protection factors

The sun protection factors, SPF or simply FS (SPF), measure protection against "solar flare" produced by UVB radiation. To calculate the protection that would be adequate for each skin type, it is necessary to relate the amount of radiation necessary to cause an erythema, minimal invisible, using sunscreen and without acute protection.

SPF is calculated by dividing the minimum dose that has caused erythema on protected skin by the minimum dose that has caused erythema on unprotected skin.

The protection index (IP) is the immediate pigmentation produced by UVA radiation. Its calculation is established from the division between immediate, minimal pigmentation in protected skin and immediate, minimal pigmentation in unprotected skin.

Sun exposure times

If we multiply the time obtained in the previous measurement by the applied protection factor, we will obtain the time that we can be in the sun without problem. We will use a higher protection index the longer we go in the sun.

The phototypes

Not all individuals respond in the same way to ultraviolet radiation; Its resistance to the sun will be given by its solar capital, the amount of melanin that it has and by the genetic code, for this reason a classification has been established according to the skin typology of the individuals.

The skin phototypes have been structured into six groups, numbering them in an ascending degree according to their ability to RESISTANCE TO SOLAR RADIATION.

Finally, it should be noted that in addition to the different behavior of different skins to ultraviolet radiation, there are various factors that can influence its intensity.

These factors must be taken into account when estimating the values ​​of the sun protection factors, and they are the following:

• Latitude: the intensity of solar radiation will become greater the closer to the Equator.
• Altitude: the intensity of solar radiation increases in direct proportion to the height. Thus, every 500 m that the altitude increases, the intensity increases by 7.19%.
•  
• The season of the year: in summer, the angle with which the sun's rays are inclined on the earth is greater, so that also at that time the intensity increases.
• The time of day: between 10 am and 4 pm the highest intensity of solar radiation is received.
• Reflection of light: reflection increases the amount of radiation; thus snow and white or shiny surfaces can reflect 70 to 90% of the rays. The sand on the beaches reflects approximately 25% of the incident ultraviolet radiation. Likewise, water reflects a significant amount.

Other factors such as clouds, fog and pollution must also be taken into account.

Solar decalogue

To finish we will cite 10 fundamental keys to obtain all the benefits of the sun, avoiding its risks:

• 1) The solar exposures will be brief, being able to expand progressively.
• 2) We will choose the protection factor according to our skin phototype, applying the product at least twenty minutes before sun exposure.
• 3) We will renew the application of sunscreen every two hours and after each bath if the product does not resist water.
• 4) Sunbathing between 12 and 16 solar hours should be avoided.
• 5) Extreme precautions must be taken in the case of children and adolescents. Children under six months will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• 6) It will not remain static in the sun for more than five minutes. The effects of UV rays are less harmful in motion.
• 7) Some perfumes and some drugs produce photosensitivity reactions on the skin.
• 8) The eyes must always be protected, either with sunglasses whose lenses filter 100% of ultraviolet radiation, or with special lenses of the same characteristics.
• 9) After sunbathing, moisturizing, soothing and regenerating skin products will be applied.
• 10) It is essential to drink a lot of fluids (water, juices and other non-alcoholic refreshing drinks) to prevent »dehydration»

Policyholders can enjoy discounts on cosmetic treatments such as botox, hyaluronic acid or laser hair removal.