The sun not only improves your mood, but is also very good for your health. Moderate sunbathing stimulates the production of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth and improves mood. An even, sun-kissed complexion also makes you visually slimmer and more attractive. But not all skin reacts the same way to sun exposure. While some achieve the beautiful bronze complexion very easily, for others the strong sun can cause red skin, pigmentation, an allergic reaction or severe sunburn. To avoid these problems, it is advisable to determine your skin type and choose the sun protection factor accordingly.
Our genetic makeup (such as hair color, iris, nose shape and other features of our appearance) is influenced by the environment and genes. In order to adapt to changing environmental conditions, the human body mutates over centuries. The most successful mutations are fixed and inherited. Similar habitat conditions lead to similar adaptation mechanisms.
Since the intensity of UV rays is higher in the equatorial zone and mountains, people from these places tend to have darker skin. The migration and mixing of races over multiple generations has resulted in a greater diversity of skin tones.
In 1975, the American dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick developed a scale of skin types. They differ from each other in terms of melanin levels, which influence skin tone. Melanin is a pigment that protects human skin from UV rays. Every skin type reacts differently to ultraviolet radiation. The seventh (or zero) type can be considered a complete lack of pigmentation – albinism. In albinos, melanin is not produced at all and cannot protect them from ultraviolet radiation. This pathology manifests itself in different nations with different frequencies ranging from 1: 20,000 to 1: 145. Albinos need real protection when they are outdoors during the day. A separate approach requires exposure of children to ultraviolet radiation. This topic deserves separate consideration.
What is ultraviolet radiation? This is short-wave electromagnetic radiation. They are long ultraviolet waves - between visible light and X-rays. Depending on the wavelength, there are different types of UV rays, which are divided into UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVA– Ultraviolet with the longest waves (315-400 nm.). UVA radiation passes through the ozone layer almost unattenuated and stimulates melanin production (andtherefore causes sunburn).
UVB– These are ultraviolet rays of an average long wave (280-315 nm). They are only partially absorbed by the ozone layer. And they are the ones who harm us. They penetrate the deep layers of the skin, damaging collagen fibers and increasing the production of abnormal elastin. This contributes to coarsening of the skin, the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Pigment spots appear, vessels condense, tissue trophism is disrupted. And in the end they can cause cancer.
What skin types are there?
The Fitzpatrick scale divides skin into six types. It also determines the safe amount of time owners of these skin types can spend in the blazing sun. Of course, these are generalized recommendations: to accurately determine the safe time spent in the sun, other factors must be taken into account - such as the intensity of ultraviolet radiation (in the mountains, for example, it is higher than in the valley). In general, however, the recommendations in the following table can protect you well from the effects of UVB radiation.
Skin type I
Skin color: very light, light pink, ivory, milky white. Freckles: often. Hair: red, blonde, very light blonde. Eyes: blue, green, light gray, very rarely light brown. Sunburn: always severe. Safe time in the sun - up to 10 minutes.
Skin type II
Skin color: fair, peach undertone. Freckles: sometimes. Hair: Red, brown, gold, all shades of blonde. Eyes: blue, green, gray, brown. Sunburn: Severe in most cases. Safe time in the sun - up to 15 minutes.
Skin type III
Skin color: light brown, light beige,olive skin. Freckles: very rare. Hair: dark blonde, chestnut brown. Eyes: blue, green, gray, brown. Sunburn: sometimes moderate. Safe time in the sun - up to 20 minutes.
Skin type IV
Skin color: dark brown, light brown, olive, yellowish, light bronze. Freckles: none. Hair: dark brown, black. Eyes: black, brown, rarely gray, rarely green, very rarely blue. Sunburn: rare and not severe. Safe time in the sun – up to 30 minutes.
Skin type V
Skin color: very dark, bronze, yellow, tawny, reddish. Freckles: none. Hair: dark brown, black. Eyes: black, brown, very rarely gray, very rarely green. Sunburn: very rare and not severe. Safe time in the sun – 50 minutes or more.
Skin type VI
Skin color: dark – from dark brown to almost black. Freckles: none. Hair: black. Eyes: black, brown, very rarely gray, very rarely green. Sunburn: practically does not happen. Safe time in the sun – an hour or more.
Now you know how long you can safely be in the sun. But we don't always have the option to limit our time in the sun. Due to our fast pace of life, we cannot always accurately assess the level of exposure of our skin to ultraviolet radiation. You can protect yourself from UVB radiation by using sunscreen creams with SPF every day:
- At least 15 SPF in everyday life for types I and II
- No less than 4-6 SPF in everyday life for III and IV skin types
- at least 50 SPF in everyday life and with prolonged exposure to fresh air for types I and II
- at least 30 SPF in everyday life and with prolonged exposure to fresh air for representatives of groups III and IV
When choosing your sun protection factor, consider not only your skin color, but also the country in which you will be vacationing. If you can't decide, choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
What else protects our skin - apart from the already known products with sun protection factor? No matter how banal - these are clothes, sunglasses, umbrellas, hats made from natural fabrics - flax, hemp (this is up to 7 SPF) and specially made blended fibers (up to 40 SPF). And also certain foods that are rich in antioxidants. These are an important factor in preventing cell damage caused by free radicals and reducing aging.
What skin type do I have? test
You can take this test to find out your type by adding up the scores for each of the questions you answered. At the end there is a scale that indicates a range for each of the six skin types. You can quickly and easily determine which one you have.
Genetic traits
Your eye color is:
Light blue, light gray or light green = 0
Blue, gray or green = 1
Hazel or light brown = 2
Dark brown = 3
Brown black = 4
Your natural hair color is:
Red or light blonde = 0
Blond = 1
Dark blonde or light brown = 2
Dark brown = 3
Schwarz = 4
Your natural skin color (before sun exposure) is:
Ivory white = 0
Light or pale = 1
Light to beige, with a golden undertone = 2
Olive or light brown = 3
Dark brown or black = 4
How many freckles do you have on unexposed areas of your skin?
Many = 0
Multiple = 1
Some = 2
Very few = 3
None = 4
Reaction to sunlight
How often do you get sunburned?
Always = 0
Oft = 1
Moderate = 2
Rarely if ever = 3
Never = 4
Is your skin tanning?
Never = 0
Rare = 1
Sometimes = 2
Oft = 3
Always = 4
How tan do you get?
Not at all or very little = 0
Easy = 1
Moderate = 2
Low = 3
My skin is naturally dark = 4
How sensitive is your face to the sun?
Very sensitive = 0
sensitive = 1
normal = 2
persistent = 3
very consistent / never had a problem = 4
Simply add up the points you scored in the questions and look for the answer below.
0 – 7 points -> I Celtic type
8 – 16 points -> II Nordic type
17 – 25 points -> III mixed type
25 – 30 points -> IV Mediterranean
over 30 points ->V – VI dark-skinned type
Even if you want to achieve a beautifully radiant bronze complexion, it is advisable not to neglect sun protection. Excessive exposure to UV radiation can also cause skin diseases and accelerate aging.
