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SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA

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  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

    Also visit the online treatment locator.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.

In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.

No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.

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    Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.

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Last Updated: 08/30/2022

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Welcome to the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

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The Locator is authorized by the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255, Section 9006; 42 U.S.C. 290bb-36d). SAMHSA endeavors to keep the Locator current. All information in the Locator is updated annually from facility responses to SAMHSA’s National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS). New facilities that have completed an abbreviated survey and met all the qualifications are added monthly. Updates to facility names, addresses, telephone numbers, and services are made weekly for facilities informing SAMHSA of changes. Facilities may request additions or changes to their information by sending an e-mail to [email protected], by calling the BHSIS Project Office at 1-833-888-1553 (Mon-Fri 8-6 ET), or by electronic form submission using the Locator online application form (intended for additions of new facilities).

how to choose a sunscreen, what does SPF, UVA, UVB, UVC mean, when is the most dangerous sun, how to determine the skin phototype and generally go outside without sunscreen.

But then the cold comes, the sun begins to be missed, and we forget about its harmful effects. Until we burn again. To avoid this, we tell you why the sun is harmful, when you need to protect yourself and when not, as well as what means are needed and how much it costs.

Why protect yourself from the sun

What are UVA, UVB and UVC rays and how they affect the skin. Sunlight consists of three types of rays - ultraviolet rays of type A, B and C. All type C rays and most of the rays of type B are absorbed by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth's surface. The rest of the type B rays and all the type A rays not only reach the ground, but also penetrate the skin, leading to unpleasant consequences. Here's how they do it:

Ultraviolet Light - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

When sunlight penetrates the skin, it acts on several layers at once - the epidermis and dermis.

The epidermis is made up of closely packed keratinocyte cells, the bricks of our skin that protect it from the environment. Melanocyte cells are located in the lower part of the epidermis. They produce the pigment melanin, which is responsible for skin color. Light-skinned people have little melanin, while dark-skinned people have a lot.

Melanin performs various functions in the skin, and one of them is protection from the harmful effects of sunlight. When type B sun rays penetrate the epidermis, the melanin takes over and the melanocytes begin to produce more pigment. Gradually, the skin begins to darken - a tan is formed. But if the radiation is too intense or prolonged, and there is little melanin in the skin, then keratinocytes begin to die, an inflammation reaction is triggered, blood vessels dilate and sunburn occurs.

Skin Melanocytes: Biology and Development - Journal of Advances in Dermatology and Allergology

How to determine the skin phototype. Due to the fact that fair-skinned people have little melanin, they have a higher risk of sunburn and cancer. When examining a patient and calculating risks, dermatologists use the Fitzpatrick scale. According to her, there are six phototypes that depend on skin color and its response to solar radiation.

Sunburn - New Zealand Society of Dermatology

Fitzpatrick skin phototypes

Phototype Appearance Tanning ability
I Pale skin, blue or brown eyes, blond or red hair Does not tan, burns immediately
II Fair skin, blue eyes Does not tan well, burns easily
III Darker skin tone Sunburn after a burn
IV Light brown leather Tans easily and burns minimally
V Brown leather Gets a dark tan easily and rarely burns
VI Dark brown or black leather Does not burn, only gets a dark tan

Photo skin, blue eyes

Ability to tan

Poor tan, burns easily

Phototype III

appearance

The darker skin color

The ability to tan

The tan lies after a burns

Photo IV

EVERATION

Light-brown skin

The ability to hazel

will easily light up

Phototype V

Appearance

Brown skin color

Ability to tan

Gets a dark tan easily and rarely burns

Phototype VI

Appearance

Dark brown or black skin color

Ability to tan

Does not burn, only gets a dark tan

Sunlight destroys the DNA of skin cells. DNA is an instruction molecule. From it, the cell takes information about how to work. Breakdowns constantly occur in DNA due to various factors, and cells repair them. But when there is too much damage, the cell cannot cope and starts the self-destruction mode so that a healthy one can take its place.

Sometimes the cell does not have time to repair all the damage and continues to work. In this case, the breakdowns remain in the DNA and are transmitted during division to other cells. When these breakdowns concern information about the mode of division and self-destruction, the cell can become malignant: it will constantly divide and refuse to die, forming a tumor.

Sunlight affects DNA and increases the risk of cancer in two ways: it creates damage directly and indirectly through the creation of reactive oxygen species, also called free radicals.

Photoprotection and skin pigmentation: melanin-related molecules and other agents derived from natural sources - Molecules magazine

Reactive oxygen species - molecules that contain oxygen and have a free electron. Due to the unpaired electron, such molecules are unstable and quickly react with others. The process of oxidation starts: molecular mechanisms are violated, cells begin to die. Free radicals are needed by the body, but when there are too many of them, they begin to destroy the DNA of cells, which increases the risk of cancer and premature aging.

On the left, each electron has a pair - a stable molecule. On the right is a molecule that lost one electron and became unstable or a free radical

Most free radicals are generated by ultraviolet A rays penetrating the dermis: the layer of skin that lies beneath the epidermis. This type of rays also destroys collagen and elastin fibers, which are the framework of the skin and maintain its elasticity. All this leads to photoaging - skin aging caused by sunlight.

Formation of reactive oxygen species due to ultraviolet radiation - Journal of Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

Ultraviolet radiation reduces desmosine cross-links in elastin - Journal of Reports from Biochemistry and Biophysics

Antioxidants can reduce the action of free radicals - chemical compounds that donate their charge to free radicals and do not themselves become active. These compounds include vitamins A, C, E, resveratrol and others. But antioxidants cannot replace sunscreen. They reduce the action of reactive oxygen species, but do not block rays from entering the skin, and therefore do not protect against burns and other consequences.

Type A beams are more insidious than type B beams. They do not cause burns, so their external effect cannot be assessed. Photoaging will become more noticeable only with time. At the same time, type A rays do not change as much depending on the time of day as type B ultraviolet rays. Type A rays also pass through glass.

Vitamin D production and skin cancer risk as a function of daily, seasonal and latitude changes in UVA and B rays - International Journal of Dermatology

Sun damage to the eyes

Excessive exposure to sunlight also affects the health of the eyes. Ultraviolet rays damage the tissues of the eyes, which increases the risk of malignant diseases, burns, cataracts, and overgrowing of the eye with the conjunctiva - a transparent membrane.

How to know when to protect yourself from the sun

What is the UV index. It has become clear that excessive radiation damages the skin and can lead to disease. But smearing sunscreen all the time can be irrational, especially if you live in places where there is little sun. Now let's briefly talk about the index, which will help you understand when to apply sunscreen.

The UV intensity is determined by the value of the UV index. The higher the UV index, the more active the sun and the higher the risk of unwanted side effects. It cannot be calculated by eye, because the value depends on many different factors.

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When the sun is at its worst. The UV index takes into account altitude, latitude, season, weather, reflective surfaces, time of day, and ozone. The higher you are, the higher the index will be. The angle of incidence of the sun's rays depends on the latitude: the index is higher at the equator, since the sun's rays fall almost at a right angle, and as the latitude increases, the index value will decrease.

More sun and more radiation during the summer months. For example, in St. Petersburg, the peak of solar activity occurs in June and July. Clouds block some of the sun's rays, so the index is lower in cloudy weather than in clear weather. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun's rays, sand - up to 15%, water - 10%. If there are many surfaces around that reflect light, then the UV index will be higher.

At night, due to the lack of sun, the index is 0, and the maximum value of the index falls at the peak of solar activity.

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Ozone is a gas found in the upper atmosphere and reflects up to 50% of ultraviolet rays. When the ozone layer is disrupted, more radiation reaches the earth's surface, which increases the UV index. The ozone layer is thinner over Antarctica, so nearby countries have a higher UV index. These are Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa.

How to find out the UV index. The easiest way is to check it in the app or on any weather website. If the index value is 3 or more, then protection is needed.

Information about the UV index in the "Weather" application on iPhone

How to protect yourself from the sun

The required degree of protection from the sun on the street depends on the value of the ultraviolet index. The higher the index, the more measures are required to protect the skin and eyes.

If the index is below 3 , no protection is required, since the radiation is too small to cause harm. In Russia, such an index is usually in cities in winter. If the sun is shining outside, it is recommended to wear sunglasses. It is worth using sunscreen and wearing closed clothes with this index if your skin burns easily even in such conditions.

With an index of 3 to 5 , it is recommended to use sunscreen and wear closed clothing, and stay in the shade around noon when the sun is at its zenith.

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How to treat a sunburn?

Index 6-7. The World Health Organization recommends reducing time spent outside from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. You should also wear close-fitting clothing, sunglasses, a hat or panama hat, and use sunscreen.

Index 8-10. Avoid going out in the sun between 10:00 and 16:00 to reduce the risk of burns. If you need to be outside during this time, try to stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, a hat or panama hat, sunglasses, and use sunscreen.

With an index of 11 and above , the risk of sunburn is very high, even in a short time. Take all precautions: avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, a hat or panama hat, sunglasses, and use sunscreen.

How to protect yourself from the sun with different ultraviolet index

Degree of radiation Index Protective measures
Low 1-2 Wear sunglasses on bright days. Wear closed clothes and use sunscreen if your skin burns easily even with this index
Moderate 3-5 Use sunscreen and cover-up clothing. Stay in the shade at lunchtime
High 6-7 Reduce your time in the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Wear close-fitting clothing, a panama hat or hat, and sunglasses. Use sunscreen
Very high 8-10 Try to avoid the sun from 10:00 to 16:00. If that doesn't work, stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, a panama or hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen
Extreme 11 and up Skin can burn in minutes. Avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, panama or hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen

Low radiation

Index

1-2

Protective measures

Wear sunglasses on bright days. Wear close-fitting clothing and use sunscreen if your skin burns easily even at this index of

Moderate exposure

Index

3-5

Protective measures

Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Stay in the shade at lunchtime

High radiation

Index

6-7

Protective measures

Reduce time in the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Wear close-fitting clothing, a panama hat or hat, and sunglasses. Use sunscreen

Very high radiation

Index

8-10

Protective measures

Try to avoid the sun between 10:00 and 16:00. If that doesn't work, stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, panama or hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen

Extreme exposure

Index

11 and above

Avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Stay in the shade, wear covered clothing, panama hat or hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency and WHO

What to look out for

How to choose sunscreen and how to apply it

What is SPF. Marking SPF, sun protection factor - a factor that protects from the sun, indicates how much ultraviolet radiation will cause a burn compared to skin without cream. For example, if without a cream the skin burns in 10 minutes of radiation, and with a cream after 150 minutes, then the SPF value will be 15: 150 / 10. SPF protects mainly from type B rays and a little from type A rays.

SPF Label on Sunscreens: More Than Just Type B Ray Protection - Journal of Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine

When SPF is measured in a laboratory, rays of the same intensity are used. In life, the intensity of radiation and the amount that can hit the skin vary, so the index cannot be used to calculate the time spent in the sun.

Sun Protection Factor - US Food and Drug Administration

The higher the SPF value, the higher the UV protection. However, the difference in filtering power does not differ much between products with different SPF values, if a person applies a sufficient amount of product - two milligrams per square centimeter of skin. For the face, this is about 1/3-1/4 teaspoon, for the body - two tablespoons.

Expert question: Is a high SPF better for skin protection? — American Skin Cancer Society

Most people wear three to four times less than the recommended amount of sunscreen in their lifetime. It is impossible to say exactly what SPF level will be in this case.

Applying Sunscreen: Theory and Reality - Journal of Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine

Sunscreen Q&A - American Society of Dermatology

Sunscreens: Helping Skin Protect from the Sun - FDA

Based on Review of Available Evidence if you apply funds two times less than necessary, most likely, the level of SPF will be reduced by two to three times. Roughly speaking, a product with SPF 30 will give protection at the level of SPF 10-15, and SPF 50 - 17-25. Because of this, the American Society of Dermatology recommends using sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30, although the FDA recommends at least 15.

Can I use makeup with SPF instead of separate sunscreen?

In the cosmetics market, there are also decorative products with SPF. These include foundations, makeup bases, BB or CC creams. Such products are usually designed to be applied to the skin only in small amounts, and this is not enough to provide the desired level of protection. And if you apply foundation in the same amount as sunscreen, most likely you will not like the effect.

Apply makeup over sunscreen 15 minutes after sunscreen. Try not to rub the skin, but apply makeup with patting movements so as not to break the protective layer. There are also tinted sunscreens on the cosmetics market. They can replace foundation for summer.

UVA rays and protection against them. The SPF label only suggests a small amount of protection against Type A rays, so other designations are used for labeling full protection against them, depending on the country and manufacturer. On sunscreens made in the USA, Europe, Australia, type A protection is often referred to as UVA in a circle or the phrase broad spectrum.

At the same time, different countries have different criteria for evaluating protection against type A rays. For example, in the USA, it is enough to conduct one test to evaluate the effectiveness of sunscreen. While Europe and Australia require the results of two different tests. Because of this, not all products that have a broad spectrum designation in the US will be considered broad spectrum in Europe and Australia.

Testing and classification of sunscreens - New Zealand Society of Dermatology

Comparison of UV protection standards in the US and the European Union by in vitro measurements of commercially available sunscreens - American Society of Dermatology

Not All UV Rays Stay Out: How Window Film Can Help Protect You - Skin Cancer Society of America

Asian sunscreens are more commonly labeled PA+ - PA++++. The more +, the higher the degree of protection against type A rays.

The marking PPD - persistent pigment darkening is also found: it means protection against persistent pigment darkening of the skin resulting from exposure to type A rays.

Since type A rays penetrate through the glass, use sunscreen, or stick a window film with UV protection if you often work at a window on the sunny side. Three meters of such a film will cost 1650 R.

Water resistant. Indicates that the sunscreen will not be washed off with water or sweat from the surface of the skin for a while. In the U.S., product manufacturers list the length of time a sunscreen can be considered waterproof. Usually it is 40-80 minutes. After that, the cream will need to be renewed, as it is washed off over time if you actively move, sweat or swim.

Sunscreen: How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun - FDA

Metal Oxide Sunscreens Protect Skin by Absorption, Not Reflection or Scattering - Journal of Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine

Conventional non-waterproof creams should be reapplied after each swim or workout rather than waiting 40-80 minutes. Therefore, on the beach, in the outdoor pool or for outdoor sports, choose only waterproof options. Manufacturers are forbidden to write "waterproof" on packages, since no cream can be waterproof. Only the designation "water-resistant" is allowed - water-resistant. In Russia, this designation is not regulated.

Sun filters. These are the ingredients that are responsible for protecting against ultraviolet rays in the product. Sun filters are divided into two types according to their action: physical and chemical, although it is more correct to call them inorganic and organic. It used to be that inorganic filters work "physically" by reflecting light, while organic filters work "chemically" by absorbing it.

It has now become clear that both types of filters absorb radiation, while inorganic filters reflect only 5-10%. Physical or inorganic filters include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They can be recognized by the white coating often left by sunscreens.

Chemical - or organic - filters include all others. There are many different sunscreens, so on the market you can find only physical or only chemical filters, as well as their combinations in one product.

There is a myth that organic filters disrupt hormones and cause cancer. Such an effect was found in the organic filter oxybenzone in studies on rats. But to cause hormonal disruption in humans when applied to the skin, you need to use sunscreen with oxybenzone daily for 277 years.

Oxybenzone Safety: An Objective Reveal of the Numbers - Journal of the American Medical Association

Which sunscreen is better, physical or chemical?

It is better to use a product that does not cause allergies, suits your needs and you will be pleased to use it regularly. If you are going on vacation and plan to spend a lot of time in the sun, choose waterproof products with maximum UV protection and do not forget about other protection measures.

If your time on the street is limited only to moving to work or a cafe and back, a short walk with the dog, then it is not necessary to choose a product with maximum protection. Prefer products with SPF 30 with a light texture. In any case, remember to apply enough product so that the skin is evenly protected.

Consider your skin type when choosing a product. Owners of oily or combination skin are more suitable for light creams that are quickly absorbed. People with dry skin will like denser rich textures. If you have sensitive skin, check for filters that are more likely to cause skin irritation and allergies. Here are some of them:

  • benzophenones - Benzophenones and Oxybenzone;
  • cinnamates - Сinnamates: Octyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene;
  • Dibenzoylmethanes or Avobenzone;
  • PABA and derivatives: Padimate O, Roxadimate.

These filters are more common in products made in the USA. Also avoid products with fragrances in their composition. They are referred to as perfume or fragrance.

Before using the product on the whole face or body, apply first on a small area and see what the effect will be. If the skin turns red and begins to itch, wash off the product and choose another one.

Packaging. Sunscreen is available as a cream and as a stick or spray. It is more convenient to measure the right amount of the product if it is a cream. The sticks have a thick rich consistency, similar to hygienic lipstick. Because of this, they do not roll as much into skin folds as creams, and are well suited for the area around the eyes and for use on very dry skin.

But if you have oily skin prone to pimples, it is better not to use sticks, as they can provoke the appearance of new rashes.

Sprays are easy to apply on the skin, but it is difficult to measure the right amount of product. The American Society of Dermatology recommends applying the product until the skin begins to shine. Spraying on the face and neck is not worth it, as sunscreens adversely affect lung health when inhaled. Spray the cream on your hands, and then use them to apply the product to the skin of the face and neck.

How to use sunscreen sticks and sprays - American Society of Dermatology

Example of a sunscreen labeled on the package

Substitute for sunscreen. It is often advised to use oils such as coconut oil or jojoba instead of sunscreen. Sometimes people make homemade sun creams based on them.

Myth or Fact: Coconut Oil Protects from the Sun - Mayo Clinic

In fact, oils are not able to reliably protect the skin from the sun, although they have some sun protection effect. They can block a maximum of 20% of the sun's rays, while sunscreen blocks 97% solar radiation.

For effective sun protection, a high SPF cream is indispensable.

How to apply sunscreen

There is no special technique for applying sunscreen. The main thing is to apply it in sufficient quantity. That's two milligrams per square centimeter of skin. The most accurate and difficult option to determine how much it is is to calculate the area of ​​skin that needs sun protection. You can do it with video instructions. A simple option is to focus on the approximate recommended amount of funds. Recommendations vary slightly from country to country.

Video tutorial on how to calculate the amount of cream you need for your face

Sunscreens and sun protection - UK Department of Health

The American Society of Dermatology writes about two tablespoons or a full shot glass for application to the whole body. The British Ministry of Health recommends applying two teaspoons to exposed parts of the body - the head, hands and neck - or two tablespoons to the entire body.

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If you love precision, get measuring spoons to measure the amount of sunscreen. Wash them after every use. Source: Yandex Market

You can also measure the amount of sunscreen with your fingers. It is enough to apply the cream on the index and middle fingers along the line from the palm to the tip. Get the amount of cream that can be applied to one of the following areas:

  1. face, neck, head;
  2. one hand;
  3. upper or lower back;
  4. upper or lower torso;
  5. upper part of one leg with thigh;
  6. lower part of one leg with feet.

A simple sunscreen dosing guide will help people - British Medical Journal, BMJ

So two fingers of cream should be applied to each of these areas. But this rule is not suitable for liquid sunscreens - they do not hold their shape and spread over the fingers.

If you use other facials, apply sunscreen after them. For example, first a tonic and serum, and then a sun remedy. Applying other products before sunscreen does not reduce its effectiveness, but may reduce its water retention. After applying the cream, allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes on the skin and form a single layer. Apply decorative cosmetics over the cream.

Plus or minus? The effectiveness of sunscreen after pre-treatment of the skin - Journal of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Skin

It is convenient to measure the amount of sunscreen without measuring spoons with your fingers

It is recommended to renew any sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the degree of protection and filters. If the product is not waterproof, then you also need to renew after each bath or workout. This is due to the fact that any product rolls off or is washed off with water and sweat during the day. If you did makeup with a foundation, you noticed that after a while such a cream clogs into skin folds and blurs. The same thing happens with sunscreens.

How to choose sunglasses

Before buying sunglasses, pay attention to the level of UV protection. The dark color of the glasses says nothing about this, so you need to look for special designations on the packaging, on the glasses themselves or on the manufacturer's website.

This is how a high degree of protection is usually indicated:

  1. UV400;
  2. with the phrase "100% protection against rays type A and B";
  3. Specifying Transmission - Filter Cat. 3 or 4.

Where to buy sunglasses: 9 brands and styles

Markings can be found on the temple, lens sticker or product label.

How sunglasses filter UV

Light transmission value Filtering capacity
1 Lets through 80 to 43% of light
2 Passes 43 to 18%
3 Passes 18 to 3%
4 Passes 8 to 3%

Filter capacity

The volume value of

passes from 80 to 43% of the light

1

Versizes from 43 to 18%

2

Versizes from 18 to 3%

9000 3

9EL Passes 8 to 3%

4

For places with blinding sun, such as the beach or mountains, choose glasses with category 4, but note that they are not recommended for driving due to too dark lenses. For moving around the city and driving, glasses with a light transmission value of 3 are suitable. In optics stores, the price of such glasses starts from 500 RUR, and category 4 glasses - from 1500 RUR.

Wide glasses should be preferred as they will protect the eyes better. Glare protection does not work against UV rays, so you should not rely on it when choosing. The degree of protection does not depend on the price. Budget glasses with a high degree of protection will be as effective as expensive models.

How to Choose the Best Sunglasses: 6 Tips - American Society of Ophthalmologists

Category badge on glasses. These glasses are suitable for moving around the city. Source: "Lensmaster" Sometimes the category may be indicated in the name of the model. Source: Bespectacled

How to dress to protect yourself from the sun

All fabrics offer some degree of protection. Therefore, with a high UV index, it is recommended to wear closed clothing.

How to Protect Against UV Rays - American Cancer Society

Dark fabrics transmit less UV rays than light fabrics. The degree of protection also depends on weaving. Dense fabrics transmit light worse than light and translucent ones. A dry cloth protects the skin better than a wet one.

At the same time, clothes made of light and light-colored fabrics are now available, which have a high degree of protection, even when wet. Such clothes are labeled UPF - UV protection factor. UPF varies from 15 to 50 or more: the higher the value, the better the fabric protects against ultraviolet rays.

Another way to protect yourself from rays is hats or panamas. They protect areas that are especially vulnerable to direct sunlight: ears, neck, face. But hats will not protect against exposure to indirect light, so you still need to apply sunscreen to these areas.

What to do if you get burned in the sun

How to help yourself properly. If you notice that your skin turns red and starts to hurt in the sun, go indoors as soon as possible. Rinse the burned area with cool water. After that, gently pat the skin dry with a towel so as not to damage it and aggravate the situation.

Apply moisturizer to slightly damp skin. You can use aloe vera creams. They do not shorten the healing time, but they can soothe the skin. If the skin is swollen, reddened, and it hurts a lot, take a pain reliever. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated after a burn.

How to Treat Sunburn - American Society of Dermatology

Sunburn and Your Skin - American Skin Cancer Foundation

Aloe Vera in Dermatology - Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology

If you develop blisters, it is best not to touch them, as they help the skin heal. Do not go outside without protection from the sun, so as not to aggravate the burn. Wear close-fitting clothing that doesn't let in light, a hat or panama hat, and use sunscreen. Get your skin checked by a dermatologist once a year. If something goes wrong, the doctor will be able to recognize the disease and start treatment at an early stage.

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Do sour cream and other folk remedies help against sunburn. They should not be used. Sour cream and other fermented milk products form a greasy film on the skin that interferes with heat transfer. As a result, discomfort can only intensify. In addition, applying food products to the body is not hygienic.

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How Much Good Sun Protection Costs

Most sun protection items last a long time, but sunscreen wears off, so you need to buy it regularly. If we consider that 30 ml of cream is needed for the whole body, then a 200 ml package is enough for almost a week of vacation, but I did not take into account reapplication. If the cream is needed for the city and it is planned to apply only two teaspoons to the face, neck, exposed parts of the arms and legs, then a 100 ml package will last for 10 days.

Here is a budget version of the sun protection kit:

Sunscreen From 100 R per 50 ml
Hat or panama hat From 500 R
Sunglasses From 500 R
Total From 2600 R

Sunscreen

From 100 R per 50 ml

Hat or Panama

From 500 R

Sunglasses

From 500 R

Total

From 2600 R

The price of sunscreen depends on the filters in the composition, brand, country of production, product advertising and other factors. Since the skin of the body is denser and less sensitive than the skin of the face, you can choose a more budget option for it.

If this product feels unpleasant on the face or causes irritation or pimples, choose a more gentle alternative. Most likely, such a product will cost more, but it will also have less consumption compared to application to the whole body. It is important that you like the product, otherwise it is likely that the cream will gather dust on the shelf and not protect your skin.

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  1. Protect yourself from the sun if your UV index is 3 or higher. Do not forget: the higher the index, the more protection measures are required.
  2. Sunscreen does not completely block rays. If your UV index is high, stay in the shade between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, wear cover-ups, a panama hat, and sunglasses.
  3. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and Type A sunscreen for urban movement.
  4. For the beach and outdoor activities, choose a waterproof cream with SPF 50 and Type A sunscreen. .
  5. Don't be stingy when applying: sunscreen should be plenty. On the face you need 1/3-1/4 teaspoon, on the whole body - two tablespoons.
  6. You can measure the amount of sunscreen with measuring spoons or fingers.
  7. Protect your eyes too. Prefer wide UV400 grade 3 or 4 glasses.
  8. See your dermatologist annually. It is easier and cheaper to treat diseases if you catch them at an early stage.

description and rating 5 sunscreens

Contents

  • The sun: friend or foe
  • UVA vs. UVB Rays: What's the Difference
  • 3 reasons to wear sunscreen all year round
  • What is SPF and PPD in sunscreens
  • What does SPF mean in creams
  • Sunscreen with PPD
  • Review of creams with SPF and PPD

Sun: friend or foe

In the last century, a tan was considered a sign of health, high status and the opportunity to have a carefree holiday. Especially for those who live in northern latitudes. And yet the sun can be considered our friend rather conditionally.

Yes, it promotes the synthesis of vitamin D , the deficiency of which causes problems with the immune system, musculoskeletal system, and psycho-emotional state.

On the other hand, dermatologists are sure that sunburn is not healthy, because ultraviolet radiation:

  • increases the risk of developing melanoma ;
  • promotes photoaging ;
  • provokes hyperpigmentation .

So if you're serious about your health, take care of UV protection, and not just in summer.

The sun and the tan that goes with it in the last century were considered a sign of health, high status and carefree rest. © iStock

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UVA and UVB rays: what is the difference

There are two types of UV rays - A and B .

There is a third type - UVC rays , but we will not talk about them, since this is solar radiation that is filtered by the ozone layer of the atmosphere and does not reach the Earth's surface.

And here is some information about the first two types of radiation.

UVA rays

Penetrates through clouds and glass, does not cause burns, but is harmful to the skin because:

  • destroy collagen and damage cell DNA;
  • lead to premature aging;
  • cause neoplasms.

UVB-rays

They stimulate the formation of melanin in the skin and are responsible for sunburn. They also cause sunburn and can cause skin cancer.

“The amount of UV rays in the atmosphere depends on the season, time of day and other factors,” says Ekaterina Turubara, medical expert at Vichy. - In summer and closer to the equator there are more of them, in winter and closer to the poles - less. That is why many believe that in winter in central Russia it makes no sense to use photoprotection.

But less does not mean that there is no radiation at all. And in people prone to hyperpigmentation or dermatoses, even winter doses of the sun can cause unpleasant changes in the skin.

In addition, UVA rays are always present in the solar spectrum, and their number is little affected by the season or place of residence.

UVA and UVB rays. © iStock

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3 Reasons to Use Sunscreen All Year Round

  • Even in winter, 80% of the rays reflected off the snow can damage your skin.
  • Harmful UVA rays penetrate car windows, windows in the office and apartment.
  • In an airplane at high altitude, the radiation intensity increases many times over.

When deciding whether to wear SPF cream on a sunny autumn or winter day, look at the UV index value in the weather forecast. If it is less than two, protection is not needed.

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What is SPF and PPD in sunscreens

It is clear that sunscreen should be at hand all year round, the difference is only in the level of SPF. What does the manufacturer mean by the mysterious abbreviations SPF, PPD or PI (in Asian sun protection products)?

SPF - Sun Protection Factor

Indicates how effectively a sun filter blocks UV-B rays. This indicates the degree of protection against sunburn.

For example, an SPF 50+ indicates that the product blocks more than 98% of type B rays. But the skin darkens even with such a high protection factor, especially if it is initially prone to tanning.

PPD - Persistent Pigment Darkening

Referred to as PI in Asia. Indicates the degree of protection against UVA rays, that is, photoaging, the appearance of age spots and other negative changes.

Sunscreen must be in your makeup bag all year round. ©iStock

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What does the SPF factor mean in creams

When choosing a sunscreen, you should consider:

  • your phototype;
  • skin type;
  • degree of protection.

The last point deserves special attention - the degree of protection against UV rays.

  • SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays and 7% still penetrates the skin.
  • SPF 30 - 97% UV.
  • SPF 50 or higher - 98% UV.

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Sunscreen with PPD

As mentioned above, the PPD index is used to indicate the degree of protection against UVA rays. PPD has a numerical value.

“The maximum PPD that scientists have been able to create is 42. A factor of 8 or more is considered safe. But the main thing in the cream is not even this, but the ratio of SPF and PPD levels, - explains Ekaterina Trubara . - It should tend to 2.5 or 3, then on the package you can see the marking UVA or broad spectrum - "broad spectrum of radiation."

Only the presence of one of these designations guarantees full protection of the skin from both sunburn and other negative effects on its health.

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Review of creams with SPF and PPD

Anthelios XL Face and Body Milk, SPF 50+/PPD 34, La Roche-Posay

Suitable for sensitive and allergy-prone skin, protects against UVA rays and UVB. The photostable formula is resistant to water for 40 minutes. Protects against photoaging, pigmentation, photodermatosis.

Brightening UV Defense, SPF 30, SkinCeuticals

Protects the skin from A and B rays, helps fight hyperpigmentation, moisturizes.


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