Sunbathing harbours risks, especially for unprotected skin. Those who do not apply sun protection lotion risk premature ageing, wrinkled skin, painful sunburns and skin cancer. If you still want to sunbathe, you should protect yourself accordingly:

 

Skin tanning occurs when the skin absorbs ultraviolet rays (UV rays). The skin reacts to sunlight by producing melanin, which darkens the outer layer of the skin to provide the skin with a degree of natural protection. The step between a suntan and sunburn is not as far as you might think, because tanning the skin is already the first sign that the skin is being stressed.

UV rays are invisible but nevertheless always present, albeit in varying strengths. A distinction is made between UV A and UV B radiation. Both can damage the skin, which is why it is important that the sunscreen lotion protects against both rays.

Sunscreen lotions have different sun protection factors. A person with very light-coloured skin must choose a high sun protection factor, while a person with darker skin can get by with a low sun protection factor. However, a sun protection lotion does not allow unlimited sunbathing. If you stay in the sun too long with or without sunscreen, your skin will burn and peel.

The sun protection lotion creates an invisible protective filter against harmful rays. It is recommended to apply the sun lotion 20 minutes before sunbathing so that it can work properly. Sunscreen lotion does not prevent tanning, but reduces the risk of sunburn.

A sunblock protects against all UV rays and therefore has no sun protection factor. Sunblock lotions are usually a thick cream with zinc oxide. A sunblock is usually applied to areas of the face that are particularly exposed to radiation when skiing in the high mountains, for example.