The sun is our best friend to prevent vitamin D deficiency, but it is also the main factor in skin aging.
Lack of sun exposure can cause a vitamin D deficiency, but there are other factors that contribute to lowered levels that are rarely discussed.
Obesity, smoking, pregnancy, and age are also important. Additionally, there are other diseases that can cause a deficiency, such as osteoporosis, thyroid problems, digestive issues, liver diseases, and kidney diseases.
Medication intake can also affect vitamin D levels.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation provides the mechanism for producing more than 90% of the vitamin D in people.
However, this radiation is very harmful to the skin as it can cause burns, photoaging, spots, or even cancer.
That’s why it is extremely important to ALWAYS use sunscreen protection both in winter and summer, whether the sun is shining or not.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates the maximum amount of time your skin can be exposed to the sun before redness appears, which is the precursor to a burn (erythema). This is calculated based on how long it takes for your skin to turn red without protection.
SPF also tells us the level of protection a product provides against solar radiation. The different numbers (15, 30, 50, etc.) reflect the degree of sunray blocking and indicate the natural defense time your skin has before it starts to get damaged.
That said, I want to mention that the face is the part of the body (along with the hands) most exposed to the sun. That’s why it’s essential to use facial sunscreen all year round. The characteristics of facial skin (thickness, pH, etc.) are different from the rest of the body, so it needs a specific sunscreen. Also, it is one of the most delicate areas: acne or skin conditions, use of cosmetics or makeup, etc. To maintain the habit and use it year-round, it’s essential to find a facial sunscreen adapted to your preferences and needs.
Choose the appropriate SPF depending on your skin phototype.
Sunscreens should be applied between 30 minutes and 2 hours before sun exposure.
You should reapply every two hours.
Also after coming out of the water.
Avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours.
Protect areas where sunscreen does not reach by using hats, sunglasses, or clothing with sun protection.
This is the importance of understanding vitamin D and sun protection. By doing so, we maintain healthy and youthful skin for longer. e esta manera mantendremos en un estado saludable y rejuvenecido por más tiempo
