Skin needs cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection at all times. In the summer months, this is even more important and necessary as sunlight hits the skin with greater intensity. However, when the summer is over, it is still necessary to protect the skin.
The sun, in small amounts, is beneficial for the prevention of certain diseases and even for the treatment of different dermatological pathologies. However, an abuse of solar radiation can cause certain diseases. For example, there is a proven relationship between overexposure to the sun and skin cancer.
The importance of sun protection to prevent skin cancer
The appropriate sun protection for each person depends on the time he or she will be exposed to ultraviolet radiation, its intensity and, above all, his or her skin. For example, it is not the same to expose oneself to the sun at 9 o’clock in the morning than just at noon, nor to do it in April or in July. Fair-skinned people burn more easily after sun exposure, as they have less melanin protection in their skin and this is a risk factor for skin cancer. This is why, although there may be some general advice, sun protection should be individualized.
It is important that patients with fair skin, with a history of skin cancer or with precancerous lesions protect their skin not only at the beach, but also in their daily life during the different seasons of the year. If the person has fair skin, the radiation filters through more and causes greater damage to the cells of the epidermis.
Consequences of sun exposure
Sun exposure is related to melanoma, a type of skin cancer, to squamous cell carcinoma and to precancerous lesions. On the other hand, poorly controlled exposure to the sun is also the cause of skin photoaging.
Sunburn is another consequence of sun exposure. This is a severe trauma to the skin, so it is important to avoid it or, at least, to prevent it from occurring every year. The treatment is conservative, with the application of cool compresses, rest, no exposure to the sun and, if anything, an anti-inflammatory.