Do you take care? Use your sense - Sun Sense! As South Africans, we enjoy our fair share of outdoor activities, but with the pleasures of playing in the sun, we each have the responsibility to ensure that we protect ourselves and our families against the ravages of the sun, without having to stay indoors.
The first and most important thing to remember is that prevention is better than cure. Some of the harm done by excessive sun exposure can be rectified but most damage caused can’t be reversed. So how do we protect ourselves properly? First we have to understand the sun’s rays and how sun protection products work.
UVB rays from the sun cause sunburn, while UVA rays are the primary cause of skin cancer and wrinkles and weakens the immune system. You can’t feel UVA rays and as such, they are really dangerous.
The sun’s rays are always dangerous – especially on a cloudy day when you do not feel / see it. Sitting in the shade or wearing a hat also only protects from a portion of the rays and surrounding surfaces reflect the rays from the ground to your skin, doubling your sun exposure.
Altitude is a sun enhancer: For every 300 metre increase in altitude, the sun's potency increases by 4%. Don’t forget the sunscreen when you’re skiing!
Distinguish between natural filters and chemical filters:
A sunblock with natural filters reflect sunrays, acting as a total block, whereas sunscreens with chemical filters prevent harmful rays to be absorbed to the deeper levels of the skin.
Sunscreens that only use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (natural filters) as the active ingredient are completely non-irritating and preferred for sensitive skin, those with rosacea, or for use on babies and children.
When choosing a sunscreen with chemical filters, ensure that it is free of alcohol and that the filters are photostable. A product with a high SPF value, that is not photostable, can actually cause sunburn.
As a general rule, it is best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure and it must be applied liberally for it to provide effective protection. Most people apply only half of the amount of sunscreen tested in the laboratory, which could result in sunburn in half the time.
You must use sunscreen on any part of your body that will see the sun, such as your hands, neck, ears, and chest. Just like your face, aging skin on the rest of the body is about sun damage and can, to a large extent, be blocked with the daily use of sunscreen.
So which sun screen suits you best?
For Families:
Children love playing outside in the sun and being outdoors is part of the South African culture. However, their skins are particularly vulnerable to the sun and children that experience a severe burn are more likely to develop melanoma in their adult lives.
COVERDERM Filteray Face SPF 60 is suitable for the sensitive facial skins of the whole family due to its hypoallergenic formulation
Choose a high SPF product such as COVERDERM Filteray Body Plus for Kids SPF 50+. This product includes titanium dioxide - a natural filter and offers such great protection in water that it can only be removed with soap.
Apply an after sun product like COVERDERM Filteray After Sun after bath time in the evening - it includes rejuvenating aloe vera which helps the skin heal after exposure to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
For teens:
Opt for a sun block that is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and natural looking, like COVERDERM Filteray Face tinted, available in two shades and SPF 4O/6O/8O. Enriched with vitamin C and Avocadin, it provides up to 24 hours of high protection and prolonged effectiveness.
Apply COVERDERM Filteray Face SPF 60 or SPF 80 on the face and neck area and COVERDERM Filteray Body SPF 40 on all exposed areas of the body 15-20 minutes before your sports activity. It is hypoallergenic, waterproof and helps prevent premature aging while promoting regeneration and hydration.
For athletes: Apply COVERDERM Filteray Face SPF 60 or SPF 80 on the face and neck area and COVERDERM Filteray Body SPF 40 on all exposed areas of the body 15-20 minutes before your sports activity.
It is hypoallergenic, waterproof and helps prevent premature aging while promoting regeneration and hydration
COVERDERM Filteray. Safe, effective sun protection.
Fully COLIPA compliant
Independent clinical studies to prove claims
High quality chemical or physical filters to protect from UVA & UVB
UVA protection far exceeds the required 1/3-level of the SPF factor
Remains photo stable when exposed to direct sun for long periods
Highly water resistant: lasting protection even when swimming and sweating
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