While the hot summer days continue, the strong effects of the sun continue to cause many skin problems. Stating that there are three different ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sun's rays, namely UVA, UVB and UVC, Near East University Hospital Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz said that UVB exposure can cause first-degree burns and cause redness, pain and edema on the skin. Mullaaziz also stated that in long-term damage, the formation of water-filled blisters can turn the skin burn into the second degree.
Is it possible to tan healthy?
Reminding that tanning is the result of the skin's effort to repair itself after the damage caused by sunburn, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz said that the concept of "healthy tanning", which is often used today, has no reality. Mullaaziz stated that tanning, although aesthetically preferred, is actually a self-protection mechanism resulting from damage to the skin.
Beware of sunburns
Stating that in the treatment of sunburns, bed rest, plenty of oral fluid support, cold application and a colorless and fragrance-free moisturizer should be used, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that depending on the severity of the burn, creams and pills that reduce redness and pain are also recommended. Mullaaziz said that in severe cases where the integrity of the skin is impaired due to burns, short-term and low-dose systemic steroid treatment or the use of systemic preventive antibiotics may be required, and warned that applications such as creams, skin cleaning products, yogurt, toothpaste, and tomato paste not recommended by the dermatologist should not be applied to the burn area. Mullaaziz stated that these applications can cause the burn to deepen, turn into secondary infection and allergic changes.
Sun rays can cause wrinkles, freckles, spots, skin aging and cancer.
Stating that sun damage causes sunburns in the short term, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that long-term exposure may cause wrinkles, freckles, sunspots, skin aging and skin cancers. Mullaaziz stated that sun damage mainly occurs before the age of 20 and that a history of severe sunburn in childhood leads to the development of skin cancer and that children should be protected from the sun.
Babies should be kept away from the sun for the first 6 months.
Saying that babies should be kept away from the sun if possible in the first 6 months, Mullaaziz said that if there will be sun exposure longer than 20 minutes after 6 months, a chemical-free sunscreen product should be used.
Prevention recommendations
Assist. Assoc. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz also made the following suggestions for protection from sunburns:
Do not be outside between 10:00 and 17:00
Use a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen when going out.
Use sunscreen at intervals of 4 hours when under the sun and at intervals of 2 hours when at the seaside.
Observe protective measures as sunburns can occur even when in the shade or in the pool/sea.
Make sure that children and white-skinned people prefer light-colored and sleeved clothes when under the sun.
