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With UV Protection from Head to Toe

It is sufficient to spend just five minutes in the sun without protection to produce vitamin D, necessary for activating the immune system, but after that, constant care with high UV protection products is essential.

Written by Petra Matić

Preparing the skin of the face and body before going to the sea begins around April with the continuous intake of the plant pigment beta-carotene, which is found in large quantities in carrots. Since we have just entered sunny summer days, if we have not provided our body with enough vitamins, we must ensure sun protection before heading to the beach or even stepping outside. Just five minutes of sun exposure without protection is enough to produce vitamin D, necessary for activating the immune system. Before enjoying the sea, exfoliate your face and body as a tan will be more even and the skin will peel less. Then trim split ends; if you dye your hair, choose colors based on natural ingredients. The best types of sunscreen are those with UVA and UVB protection that leave a white residue and have a factor of 30 or higher. The cream should be applied at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every hour. The effect will not be lacking if a quantity equal to two teaspoons for the face and neck and two tablespoons for the body is applied.

UV Care for Hair
It is often forgotten that lips and ears are exposed to the sun and that they are unprotected major bait for malignant melanoma. Since we drink a lot of fluids or eat ice cream, the lips are directly exposed to the sun, so a balm with a factor should be constantly applied, certainly not ordinary glosses or balms. The scalp is also a very sensitive area, so it must be regularly smeared with protective creams, and the entire hair should be well sprayed with UV sprays.
The market is also rich in UV shampoos and conditioners. After swimming in the sea, the hair should be washed with shampoo to remove remaining protective ingredients. Brunettes and dark-haired individuals often protect their hair with head coverings while sunbathing, so only blondes eager for natural light strands due to direct sun exposure are loyal clients of hair salons in September. Namely, due to sea salt and sun, hair becomes dry, split, and thinned, especially if not cared for during the stay at sea, not rinsed regularly, and not treated with regenerative agents and nourishing masks. Advocates of natural sun care sometimes make mistakes with creams based on natural ingredients, such as those based on celery, parsley, and lemon, as they contain photosensitizing ingredients that, in combination with sunlight, become the main culprits for dark spots on the skin.

Dangerous Essential Oils
It is also necessary to be very cautious with the use of essential oils. Definitely avoid citrus oils at least a day before sun exposure as they can act phototoxic and leave ugly pigmentation spots on the skin. The most dangerous are bergamot and lemon oils, followed by grapefruit and bitter orange, and caution should also be exercised with the use of mandarin and sweet orange oils. All oils should be applied exclusively after sunbathing to nourish the skin. In this case, the best are unrefined base oils of almonds and wheat germ, marigold and St. John’s wort macerates, and lavender. It is also important that the bottles do not only say ‘100% essential oil’ as this indicates possible counterfeits of questionable composition. It is also very important to avoid perfumes, decorative, or preparative cosmetics. After sun exposure, it is essential to remove residues of protective agents and sea salt with fresh water and to hydrate, restore, and further nourish the skin. Some pharmaceutical products such as blood pressure medications and contraceptive pills increase the skin’s sensitivity to harmful sun rays, so it is advisable to consult a doctor before use.