Have you ever heard of "sun callus on the skin"? When we spend a lot of time in the sun without protection, our skin is smart and tries to defend itself, it's as if a scab forms, you know? It gets thicker, drier, and takes on a more tanned color. That's the famous sun callus on the skin, and it's our skin's way of saying it's been exposed to too much sun.
Viral trend on social media: sun callus on the skin
You've probably heard of the famous sun callus on the skin on social media, right? But now it seems that young people like to show off their tanned and bronzed skin. But, as parents, what really worries us is... is this healthy for our skin and our children's skin?
The pursuit of an intense and prolonged tan through excessive sun exposure triggers a defense mechanism in the skin, known as sun callus, which seeks to protect it from sun damage. However, since each person has a different skin type, subjecting it to long hours of solar radiation with the goal of achieving a perfect tan can be detrimental to health.
Sun callus on the skin and its consequences
Today, sun callus on the skin is talked about as a trend, that habit of spending a lot of time in the sun without protection to supposedly accustom the skin. But the truth is that there is no such thing as a healthy tan, and no tolerance to the sun is generated either. In fact, it is proven that ultraviolet radiation is carcinogenic to humans, so overexposure to the sun only damages our skin.
What are the dangers of the sun callus on the skin trend?
Let's understand why having that sun callus on the skin is not at all recommended. Skin cancer called melanoma, one of the most serious, although fortunately not the most common, is mainly caused by intense sunburns we suffer from childhood and throughout our lives. These accumulated doses of solar radiation can generate serious health problems in the future. Melanoma begins when a mole changes and has the ability to spread to other parts of the body, which makes it a very dangerous type of cancer.
Furthermore, the sun callus on the skin offers no protection at all against the harmful effects of the sun. On the contrary, it thickens the skin and affects increasingly deeper layers. Over time, this unprotected exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and, most seriously of all, increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
It is true that vitamin D is fundamental for our health, as it supports the proper functioning of our immune system. We often hear that sun exposure helps to obtain this vitamin. However, science has not yet accurately determined how much vitamin D the body can produce with UV exposure. What we do know for sure, thanks to studies, is the significant risk of skin cancer associated with sun callus on the skin.
On the other hand, experts from the solar radiation research group at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) point out that, in addition to risks such as cancer and premature aging, receiving sun rays can have benefits such as reduced blood pressure, vitamin D synthesis, and improved treatment of various pathologies; the ideal is to do so during hours of lower radiation, before 12 pm and after 4 pm. However, it is a reality that many, especially young people, still do not take these precautions seriously.
How to identify a sun callus on the skin?
Sun callus, skin that has been exposed to the sun very frequently, presents several signs:
· Thick, rough, or hardened skin areas
· Appearance of pigments on the skin such as dark spots.
· Accelerates skin aging, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at an early age.
Why is sun protection the best way to prevent sun callus on the skin?
UV protection is vital, not just for aesthetics, but for your health. Sun and artificial tanning accelerate visible skin aging by 80%. Unprotected sun exposure is a health risk factor that affects millions. Avoiding the sun callus on the skin trend is a key measure to prevent malignant skin lesions.
Want to sunbathe safely? Here are some tips to avoid sun callus on your skin:
Summer plans with friends and family are the best, and daylight calls us to enjoy the outdoors but, before we jump into the fun, let's think for a moment: Are we protecting our skin from the sun as it deserves? Remember, good sun protection is the best ally to enjoy to the fullest without risks.
Take note of these valuable tips that will help you prevent sun callus on the skin:
· Best hours to sunbathe: Avoid sun exposure especially between 12 pm and 4 pm, because during that period the sun's rays intensify, causing headaches, dizziness, or even sunstroke.
· According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sunbathing for 10 to 20 minutes a day is enough to absorb adequate levels of vitamin D.
· Drink plenty of water: It's important to stay hydrated all the time; the sun can progressively dehydrate our body, especially when we are under its rays.
· Use a quality sunscreen that is NOT chemical: Studies have shown that many sunscreens on the market contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate, which can reach blood levels that exceed considered safe limits. That's why it's important to pay attention to the type of sunscreen you use; make sure they are physical, biodegradable, or mineral, which will help your skin and the environment. At Maminat, you can find the ideal sunscreen.
· Care for your skin when you return home: After taking a break, whether from salt water or chlorine, or the oxidative stress you have been exposed to, you can take a shower and apply a gel or cream that always repairs your skin's natural barrier, this way you will keep it hydrated. At Maminat you will find multiple options for both shower and moisturizers, with natural, light, and fast-absorbing ingredients that deeply hydrate all skin types.
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What if it's cloudy? Should I still protect myself to avoid sun callus on my skin?
Of course! Clouds are no excuse to let your guard down. They can let through up to 80% of solar radiation, so you can also suffer the effects of sun callus on your skin on cloudy days. No matter how little time you're going to spend in the sun, always remember to use a good sunscreen. At Maminat, you can find the SPF 50 sunscreen that fully protects you from the sun with the best natural physical filters, with high protection ideal for all areas of your body and face.
At MAMINAT, we want you to enjoy the sun safely and healthily for you and your whole family. Protect your skin, it's the best gift you can give yourself!