“Sun callus” or why sunbathing without cream is very dangerous for your health

“Sun callus” or why sunbathing without cream is very dangerous

This has become trendy on social media in recent days. call With Sunthat is, sunbathing without any like photoprotectiongradually until the skin forms a kind of callus, that is, it develops resistance to the sun and thus achieves a more natural and instant tan, but this viral trend is not only ineffective, but also “very dangerous” to health, which increases tan. risk of skin cancer and photoaging.

This theory is that if repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet radiation, They will be able to build up tolerance and have more resilient 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, Dr. Ines Escandell.

“Actively look for your sun blister.” will be associated with great harm to cells

Therefore he points out that “actively look for sun calluses” will be associated with severe cell damage and this will manifest itself in the long term as photoaging and an increased risk of skin cancer.” One of the arguments put forward by followers of this very dangerous trend is that animals are constantly exposed to the sun without protection and nothing happens. them. .

Considering this statement, the expert notes that “ wool most animals have characteristics another “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 is extremely protective of them from radiation, especially those to which they are naturally adapted. living in areas with a lot of sunlight,” he explains.

These types of sentences that are usually address they don’t take into account “it’s always been done this way” fundamental change What humanity has suffered over the past 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, because not all geographic regions they have the same radiation intensity, But, according to the dermatologist, a general rule would be to consider that “it is most beneficial to expose yourself during the hours when the intensity of UVB and UVA is lower, and in the summer this corresponds to the early hours of the morning and evening.”

If you touch expose to the sun During particularly busy hours (from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), it is advisable to use photoprotection with factor 50+, and if you’re going to be near water or doing anything else, it should be waterproof. 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 Yes it will service That synthesis from melanin (we will turn brown) and this provides some protection to 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 has been associated with less damage after exposure to radiation, so in many cases this can be an interesting strategy, but it must also be accompanied by a diet rich in antioxidants from foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains…) and of course Photoprotector SPF 50+.

Subscribe to the Informativos Telecinco newsletter and we will send you news to your email.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel and stay updated with all the news at the moment.