How much and to what extent is the sun beneficial for our skin health?

Sun is an important environmental factor that plays an important role in vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D has many functions in our body. The most important of these is bone health. Vitamin D deficiency can cause osteoporosis and early osteoporosis. Apart from this, vitamin D has a regulatory effect on the immune system and is also useful in skin diseases such as skin infections, acne, psoriasis and eczema. It is supported by recent studies that it also has effects on hair health. However, sunlight at a level that causes burns is always harmful. Intense sun exposure may have the opposite effect instead of being beneficial in these diseases.

How is it possible to benefit from the sun correctly? What should be taken into consideration while sunbathing?

The recommended 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure three times a week meets our vitamin D needs.

In what situations does the sun pose a risk to our skin?

Uncontrolled, continuous intense sun exposure is harmful to our skin. Sunburns, in particular, cause the deadliest skin cancer, which we call melanoma. Sunburns during childhood and sunburns that occur after intermittent intense sun exposure cause mutations in anti-cancer genes in the skin and trigger melanoma, known as the most lethal skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancers are common in people who work outdoors in summer and winter and are constantly exposed to sunlight. This means that using sunscreen regularly in summer and winter is the most basic way to protect against skin cancer. Undesirable effects of the sun other than cancer are aging and blemishes. Those who have the habit of sunbathing and going to solariums will not be able to avoid aging and staining.

In what cases is sun protection important? Who should pay more attention to sun protection?

Everyone should be protected from the sun in terms of skin health, but especially patients with light sensitivity such as lupus, cancer patients, and patients using drugs that cause photosensitivity should be more careful.

What do you recommend for sun protection?

Do not stay at the beach between 11-15 o'clock and sunbathe under an umbrella at other hours (umbrellas only protect you from 40% of the sun),

Wear a hat and glasses,

Use of sunscreen cream:

-At least 30SPF and also has UVA protection

-Use of sunscreen should be repeated every 2-3 hours.

What should be done for sunburns?

The treatment approach varies depending on the degree of burn. If blisters have formed, an epithelializing, that is, wound healing cream and an antibiotic cream should be used, regular dressing should be done and the skin should be protected from infection. For burns that are only red, we recommend the use of painkillers, cold dressings, refreshing lotions, moisturizers and sometimes cortisone cream for short periods of time, not exceeding 3-5 days.

Which apps should definitely be avoided?

In case of burns, applications that are said to be herbal by hearsay should be avoided because these applications can cause an allergic reaction in the burn area and worsen the situation. Direct application of ice to the burned area should be avoided because prolonged ice contact can also cause frostbite. Non-medical practices such as toothpaste should also be avoided.