Yoon Ja-young is in charge of articles translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times. She is interested in improving the newspaper through AI.
Be smart about using sunscreen
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By Yoon Ja-young
By Yoon Ja-young
Most people know that they should use sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. However, not many choose and use sunscreen products wisely. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Kim Ji-hyun, a dermatologist at Grand Dermatology Clinic, provided tips on how to protect yourself from the summer sunshine.
What are ultraviolet rays?
Ultraviolet light is just beyond the visible light that our eyes can see. It is categorized into three types — UVA, UVB and UVC — depending on their wavelength. UVC, or the short wave ray that causes skin cancer and is used in germicide lamps, is of little concern because it is mostly absorbed in the ozone layer around the Earth. UVB are medium wave rays that can cause sunburn and skin cancer, and long-wave UVA accelerates the pigmentation and aging of the skin.
“As our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, the skin produces the pigment melanin to protect itself, but it also causes freckles,” Dr. Kim said. Sunscreen is therefore essential to prevent such skin troubles, but we rarely look at what’s written on the packages of this product, which is crucial for making the right choices.
SPF and PA
The ministry advises that consumers check first to see if the product has a “functional cosmetics” mark, which is given only to sunscreens certified by the ministry. Then, the two important figures to look at are SPF and PA.
SPF, or sun protection factor, tells how effective the sunscreen is at blocking medium wave UVB. As SPF 1 means the protection will last for 10 minutes, a sunscreen with SPF 20, for instance, guards you against the sun for 200 minutes. PA, meanwhile, reflects the protection grade of UVA, and the number of plus signs awarded matters. The more it has, the stronger the protection.
If you mainly stay indoors, the ministry recommends choosing SPF 15/PA + or stronger protection. For outdoor activities, use products with SPF30/PA++ or above, and if you are exposed to strong ultraviolet rays for hours, such as when hiking or on the beach, choose SPF50+/PA+++. For water parks, choose the ones that say “water resistant.”
What are sunscreens made with? There are two kinds of sun blocks — physical sunscreens and the chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens form thin layers on the skin to reflect the sunlight. They contain minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and they cause relatively little skin irritation. The chemical sun blocks, meanwhile, absorb the ultraviolet ray and make chemical reaction. Containing chemicals with complicated names such as “Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane” or “Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate,” they feel smoother on the skin but they can cause trouble on sensitive skin.
Reapply every two hours
When using the sunscreen, one should apply the right amount, approximately around 2 milligrams for each square centimeter of skin, or as written in the instructions, evenly spread it on skin at least 15 minutes before going out. One should not miss areas additional to the face, such as the ears, neck, lips, hands and feet. For parts of your body where the sun block can’t be used, wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection or use clothes. Those who have little hair should wear hats or apply sun block on the scalp as well for protection.
As the sunscreen is wiped off with sweat, one should reapply it every two hours. If you are playing in water, a water resistant product should be reapplied every one hour or two.
Infants younger than six months, however, shouldn’t use sun block because their thin skin sometimes absorbs the matter and causes a sensitive reaction. When any child is using it for the first time, one should check if the child is allergic to it by applying a tiny amount on the inner side of the wrist. Anyone who has an allergy or skin irritation while using the sunscreen should immediately stop and seek a doctor.
Don’t forget walk in the sun
While people are well aware of the harms of the ultraviolet rays, they are ignoring benefits of the sunlight. Ultraviolet B is involved in synthesis of vitamin D in our body, which is known to strengthen bones and help the absorption of calcium. Recent studies have also found that it controls blood pressure and insulin, as well as deterring cancer.
A data by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service showed that the number of people who were treated for vitamin D deficiency nearly doubled during the past five years. Those who spend most of their time indoor have higher risk of osteoporosis or bone fracture due to deficiency of vitamin D, and they can even suffer depression.
As Ultraviolet B doesn’t pass through glass windows, the ministry recommends that those who spend most of their time indoors should take around 10 to 20 minutes’ walk, outdoors, avoiding 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are too strong.
Advice: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Dr. Kim Ji-hyun at Grand Dermatologist Clinic