Dermatologists warn of dangers of sunbathing without sunscreen to ‘get more tan’

VALENCIA (EP). In recent days, it has become fashionable on social networks to “callus” the sun, that is, to sunbathe without any photoprotection, gradually until the skin forms a kind of callus, that is, it develops resistance to the sun and thereby achieve a more natural and instant tan , but far from effective; This viral trend is “extremely dangerous” for health as it increases the risk of skin cancer and photoaging.or.

This theory is that if they are repeatedly exposed to UV light, they will be able to build up a tolerance and have more resistant skin. “When we are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, a number of reactions occur in our skin: inflammation, thickening of the skin and the production of more melanin (and this causes us to tan). When there is more melanin in our skin, it gives us certain protection to the cells, but in order for the increase in melanin to occur, we had to be exposed to UVB radiation, which is the most harmful to them, and this radiation will definitely cause harm,” explains the dermatologist GEDET (Group of Aesthetic and Aesthetic Medicine). Therapeutic dermatology) AEDV, doctor Ines Escandell.

For this reason, he points out that “actively seeking out sun calluses will be associated with greater cellular damage, and in the long term this will manifest itself as photoaging and an increased risk of skin cancer.” One of the arguments put forward by followers of this very dangerous movement is that animals are constantly exposed to the sun without protection and nothing happens to them.

Given this statement, the expert notes that “the skin of most animals has different characteristics than that of humans.” “If we leave reptiles and birds, which are even more different from each other, and focus on mammals, many of them are covered with terminal hairs over the entire surface of their bodies, which extremely protects them from radiation, especially those that are naturally adapted to life in areas with plenty of sunlight. “, he explains.

Such proposals, which usually appeal to “it has always been done this way,” do not take into account the fundamental changes that the human race has undergone in recent decades: survival rates have increased significantly, the expert points out. “We live longer and want to live better, and exposure to the sun without protection at certain times, especially if we have a fair phototype, will increase the risk of developing skin cancer in the medium to long term,” he says.

There is no general answer since not all geographic areas have the same intensity of radiation, but according to the dermatologist, a general rule may be to consider that “it is most beneficial to expose yourself to radiation during the hours when the intensity of UVB and UVA radiation is lower.” which in summer corresponds to early morning and late afternoon hours.

If you have to be exposed to the sun during particularly intense hours (from 11:00 to 18:00), it is advisable to use photoprotection with a factor of 50+, and if you are going to be near water or engage in any activity, it should be water-resistant. If it continues to be exposed, it will need to be reapplied every two hours. In addition, clothing items are also needed: hats, glasses, T-shirts, etc.

“Gradual exposure will promote melanin synthesis (we tan) and this creates some protection for our skin from burns or acute damage, but does not eliminate the long-term damage from skin cancer and, of course, photoaging. .” warns GEDET dermatologist.

Finally, he adds that “the use of certain antioxidants in tablets or capsules is associated with less damage after exposure to radiation, so in many cases this may be an interesting strategy, but it should also be accompanied by a diet rich in antioxidants from foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains…) and, of course, sunscreen SPF 50+.