We all love to enjoy the sun. In fact, it's healthy because it helps our bodies produce vitamin D. However, prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun can be dangerous. What factors come into play during sun exposure, and how can you protect yourself from it?
Meet Göran van Rooijen , dermatologist at Spaarne Gasthuis and ambassador of Spot the Dot, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of sun habits and mole checks on social media.
Together with dermatologist Göran van Rooijen, we’ll dive deeper into UV rays, SPF, and the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens.
UVA radiation
UV stands for ultraviolet, which is the radiation that comes from the sun. The difference between UVA and UVB lies in the range of the radiation. UVA has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin. Within UVA, we distinguish between two types: UVA1 and UVA2. UVA1 has a range of 340-370 nanometers, and UVA2 ranges between 230 and 340 nanometers.
Repetitive exposure to UVA can lead to early signs of skin aging, such as pigmentation spots, wrinkles, and dryness. This type of radiation is present throughout the year and can even penetrate through windows. Therefore, it's important to protect yourself against this UV radiation every day, even when indoors.
UVB radiation
We notice UVB radiation more often during the summer when we spend more time outdoors and are more exposed to this type of UV radiation. High exposure to UVB radiation can cause skin burns and, with prolonged exposure, DNA damage. "This DNA damage can develop into skin cancer, including the aggressive type called melanoma."
Blue Light
Blue light falls within the normal light spectrum. ''Every source of light emits a low dose of blue light, such as your laptop or smartphone. Some studies have found that a high dose of this light contributes to skin aging. Protection against blue light is best achieved with sunscreens that provide protection against UVA and UVB. These sunscreens also offer substantial protection against blue light."
Sunscreens are often labeled with SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates the level of protection against UV rays. Dermatologist Göran van Rooijen recommends using at least SPF 30, as it provides 97% protection. With SPF 50, you are protected for 98%. "The lighter the skin, the higher the SPF."
For optimal sun protection, use a high SPF that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Our mineral sunscreens in SPF 30 and SPF 50 provide protection against UVA1, UVA2, and UVB radiation. And the Mineral Sunscreen Face offers additional protection against blue light!
There are two types of sunscreen filters: mineral and chemical. Both filters protect the skin from UV radiation. The difference lies in how these filters protect the skin.
A sunscreen with a chemical filter is absorbed by the skin and absorbs the radiation. On the other hand, mineral filters act as a mirror and reflect the UV rays. Since a mineral filter sits on the skin, it doesn't need to be absorbed, providing immediate protection upon application.
There is also a difference in their effects on the skin. Chemical filters are often associated with skin irritation or eczema, while mineral filters are natural and gentler on the skin.
"From a societal standpoint, you should also consider the environmental impact these filters have. Mineral filters are a natural product and do not harm nature, whereas chemical filters do have an impact on the environment. This is evident in studies that examine the effects of chemical filters on coral reefs, for example.’’
For our sun protection, we have used a mineral filter based on non-nano zinc oxide. This means that the sunscreen is not absorbed by the skin or the environment. Furthermore, we have added a special coating based on castor oil so that you can easily apply our sunscreen, unlike regular zinc oxide.
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