Skin Secrets Stay Bright, Here's How Tabir Surya Works To Protect Skin From The Dangers Of UV Light

Illustration of the use of sunscreen (Pinterest/Shelly Zechmeister)

YOGYAKARTA - Sunscreen is now one of the most important skin care products to use every day. Excessive sunlight can cause various problems, not only about beauty, but also serious health such as skin cancer.

Sunscreen, also known as sunscreen or sunblock, functions to protect the skin from harmful radiation from ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun. This radiation consists of UVA and UVB. UVA is often associated with skin aging, while UVB causes the skin to burn.

Even though it is often used, there are still many people who do not understand how sunscreen actually works. In fact, by knowing how it works, we can be wiser in choosing, using, and maximizing the benefits. The following is an explanation of how sunscreen works in protecting the skin.

The sun emits energy, one of which is UV radiation. When penetrating the skin, this radiation can damage cells, trigger wrinkles, black spots, burned skin, and even skin cancer. Sunscreen works by forming a protective layer on the skin's surface to prevent or absorb this harmful radiation.

The main active ingredients in sunscreen are usually zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These two minerals create a thin white layer that is tasked with reflecting and disseminating UV radiation before penetrating the skin. This is why some sunscreen products leave white scars after use.

Sekain itu, setiap perlengkaran suri menampilkan angka SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Angka ini bukan sekadar labelan, melainkan ukuran seberapa lama kulit bisa terlindungi dari sinyar matahari. Misalnya, seseorang dengan kulit cerah biasanya bisa bertahan sekitar 10 menit di bawah matahari sebelum kulitnya mulai terbakar. Jika ia menggunakan izin surya dengan SPF 15, maka perlindungannya hingga 10 menit x 15 = 150 menit.

However, SPF does not mean absolute protection. Other factors such as sweat, water, or clothing friction can reduce their effectiveness. Therefore, even if you use a high-SPF sunscreen, it is still recommended to apply it regularly.

Applying sunscreen again after the first 20'30 minutes outside the room helps strengthen the protective layer. This is the same as painting the walls of the house: the first layer sticks, but the second layer makes the paint thicker and covers the small gap that is missed.

It should also be noted that human skin has a microscopic structure in the form of peaks and small troughs. When sunscreen is applied about 20 minutes before activity, this cream absorbs and sticks to the trough, forming a uniform layer. This process is important so that sunscreen really works optimally.

It is also recommended to increase protection by wearing a hat, sunglasses, umbrella, or long clothes. Avoid also doing outdoor activities during hot hours, usually between 11.00 and 12.30 noon, when the UV intensity peaks.

With this combination of protection, the risk of skin damage due to sunlight can be minimized optimally.

As explained above, using sunscreen is routinely important to maintain skin health, prevent premature aging, and avoid the risk of damage from exposure to the sun. However, this benefit can only be obtained if you choose the right sunscreen product according to your skin's needs.

The selection of sunscreens that are not appropriate can actually cause problems, such as acne, irritation, or less optimal protection. Here are some criteria in choosing sunscreen.

First, adjust the sunscreen formula to your skin type. For sensitive skin, choose sunscreen without a fragrance so as not to cause irritation. For oily skin owners, choose a milde or powdered formula that can absorb excess oil. Meanwhile, for acneated skin, make sure the product has a hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic label so as not to clog the pores.

Second, pay attention to the level of SPF on products. Sunscreen with SPF at least 35 is highly recommended for optimal protection. Higher SPFs will provide longer protection, but that doesn't mean you are free to do activities without breaking your hair again. While swimming or sweating a lot, choose sunscreen with a waterproof formula to keep working effectively.

Third, make sure the sunscreen product you buy has a broad spectrum label. This label indicates that sunscreen is able to protect the skin from UVA and UVB which causes damage to the skin.

Finally, don't forget to pay close attention to the active content in the product. Sunscreens containing ecamsules, avobenzones, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone are generally considered safer and more effective in protecting the skin.

By paying attention to these four points, you can choose the appropriate sunscreen while providing maximum protection for the skin every day.