Protecting your skin from the harmful effects of light

According to current scientific knowledge, sun exposure is the most significant environmental factor in skin ageing, so it is recommended to use a sunscreen with at least SPF15 and PPD10.

What exactly does this mean?

Light, or the sun, is not our enemy, as many people claim. It's up to us to enjoy its benefits or make it a threat to our lives.

The benefits of the sun:

UV radiation increases vitamin D production and helps to remove calcium from the diet
helps to destroy bacteria on the skin's surface, which means it is extremely effective in treating minor skin problems
UVB rays reduce high blood pressure, and as blood vessels dilate more, cellular nutrition and detoxification are improved
sun lovers hardly know depression, unlike people who spend most of their time between the four walls
replenishes almost our entire energy balance with its invigorating light, and cleanses our chakras
intellectual information we can receive from it

With a little care, you can get a very nice tan, no need to avoid the sun, just be careful when, how much and how you sunbathe.

What we know about light and light protection

UV rays are divided into three main parts: UV-C 100-280 nm, UV-B 280-320 nm, and UV-A 320-400 nm, the latter being further divided into two sub-parts UV-A1 is the range between 340-400 nm, while UV-A2 is the range between 320-340 nm. The UV-C range is absorbed in the ozone layer around the Earth, such that the energy of the UV-C photon causes the triatomic oxygen molecule, ozone (O3), to change back to the normal diatomic oxygen (O2) molecule.

UV-A rays have longer wavelengths (320-400 nm), penetrate deeper into the skin (down to the papillary layer of the dermis) and can damage the elastic fibres of the dermis, causing ageing, sun allergy, abnormal pigmentation and even cancer. The shorter wavelength UV-B rays (280 to 320 nm) are more responsible for tanning and sunburn (reaching only the dermis), so sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays is the right choice.

The SPF in the UV-B range gives a good indication of the efficacy of the product. Its measurement is based on the time of appearance of redness after exposure to the sun. Although there is no international standardisation of the maximum SPF value for sunscreens, individual countries have their own regulations. The current EU regulation, which has been in force since September 2006, sets the maximum SPF at factor 50, as this is the maximum factor that can be reliably measured.

Measurement: the minimum erythema dose (MED) is determined on the basis of the erythematogenic effect of ultraviolet light, i.e. the appearance of redness after sun exposure. Therefore, the UV-B range is almost entirely responsible for this effect, with erythema appearing within a few hours of sun exposure and resulting in a dose-dependent pattern of milder or more extensive solaris dermatosis, i.e. sunburn. The standard method of measurement is to illuminate areas of 1x1 cm on a selected area of skin on the lower back for increasing periods of time with a light source of known dose rate, ensuring a uniform focal-skin distance throughout.

There is not only no uniform system for measuring the protective effect in the UV-A range in terms of the maximum value that can be indicated on the label, but there is also no globally accepted uniform method of measurement. This is primarily because the changes induced by UV-A are less clearly objectifiable than the redness caused by UV-B. The most common measurement of the UV-A immunity of a formulation is IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening), the measurement of immediate pigmentation enhancement, and PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) , the measurement of persistent pigmentation enhancement.

While knowing the exact factor numbers in the UV-B and UV-A range is a good indication of the efficacy of a sunscreen, the amount applied to the skin in one application and the frequency of reapplications are very important.

The amount of UV radiation is affected by a number of factors:

the astronomical factor - the geometric position of the Sun and the Earth, which we experience in our daily lives as seasons or times of day. In Hungary, UV radiation is most intense in the summer months, July-August, at 13:00 instead of 12:00 noon because of daylight saving time. 50% of the UV exposure during the day occurs between 12-14 hours.
the distance from the equator, i.e. the geographical location of the area, - the state of the atmosphere, meteorological conditions, the presence of clouds. Clouds filter out only 10-15% of ultraviolet radiation.
the environment also significantly modifies the level of UV exposure. Altitude increases the UV exposure by 15% per 1000 m, sand and water surface reflect 30-50% of the light, the latter transmitting 50-70% of UV-B and UV-A light down to 1 m. Because of the reflection, even in the shade in summer, the UV exposure is up to 40-50%.Snow is even more effective in this respect, reflecting 80-90% of the light falling on it.

Light protection can be achieved by several approaches: 1. cellular protection, 2. physical light protection, 3. chemical light protection.

Cellular protection prote cts the cell's DNA and vital cellular components, while stimulating the cells' natural defensive responses. Physical photoprotection prevents UV rays from entering the skin, while chemical photoprotection seeks to counteract the harmful effects of light that enters the skin.

Generally speaking, physical sun protection prevents UV from entering the skin, while chemical sun protection protects against the harmful effects of light entering the skin.

The simplest and the most recommended method of protection against physical sunlight is to hide in the shade, or to cover the exposed skin with clothing or headgear. In the choice of clothing, it is important that the material of the clothing worn is of a dense weave and dark colour. Half of the UV exposure during the day occurs within one hour before and one hour after the sun's zenith (13 h in Europe due to daylight saving time). Accordingly, a campaign has been launched in Australia among school children to encourage shading during the period when one's shadow is shorter than one's height.

Modern sunscreens are made up of a base formulation and an added specific sunscreen component.

Chemical sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays. Chemical sunscreens are usually absorbed into the skin, possibly also into the bloodstream. Their ability to absorb UV rays can also be harmful. The energy absorbed is released by the molecule in the form of lower energy photons and/or reacts with other molecules in the environment. This leads to the production of harmful by-products such as free radicals. This happens inside the skin and the by-products produced can damage the skin, cause irritation, photo-sensitisation and increase the risk of skin cancer. In some experiments, it has also been shown to damage the liver, and in animal studies, a hormone-like side effect has been observed. One of the most common forms (OMC) has also been detected in breast cancer cells in the same form as in common sunscreens: Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone, Oxybenzone.
Therefore, the use of chemical sunscreens should be avoided.

Physical sunscreens

Physical sunscreens offer a natural and safe alternative. Their active ingredients are extremely finely powdered minerals (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide), which form a protective layer on the skin's surface and reflect and scatter UV rays. They are insoluble so they are not absorbed.
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have long been used in the cosmetic industry. They are safe and do not irritate even sensitive skin. Zinc oxide is specifically skin-protective. Titanium dioxide blocks UVB rays and short wavelength UVA (UVA-2). Zinc oxide protects over a very broad spectrum, reflecting/scattering both UVB and UVA rays. These solids, however, form a white coating on the skin and are often applied in the form of micronised particles (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide nanoparticles). In this form they hardly/not at all form a white layer, but they are absorbed through the skin and pose a serious health risk.

State-of-the-art biotechnological developments have led to the creation of a physical sunscreen complex in which titanium dioxide and zinc oxide microparticles are coated on a special dispersion technique. The result is a physical sunscreen that does not leave a white coating on the skin and is completely safe for the human body, as it is not absorbed by the skin and protects against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. It is also approved by Ecocert Bio.

Cellular protection

Peoples in tropical and desert areas use various essential oilsto combat harmful radiation. They help to naturally enhance sunscreen activity by blocking the damaging effects of UV rays on DNA. These include macadamia nut oil SPF6, jojoba oil SPF4, hemp seed oil SPF6, shea butter SPF6, sea buckthorn seed oil SPF10, etc. The enhanced sun protection of products infused with these oils is indicated by the "+" after the factor number. In addition to the oils, the antioxidant plant active ingredients help protect cells by neutralising the free radicals produced in our skin by UV rays. These include vitamin E, Totarol, vitamin C, Ferulic acid and white tea extract.

Criteria for an effective sunscreen cosmetic

increase the skin's ability to protect against UV radiation (cellular protection)
adequate light protection (physical protection)
reducing the ageing of the skin
proper hydration and nourishment of the skin
safe to use (contains no synthetically produced chemicals, preservatives, fragrances or skin damaging substances such as mineral oils)

DRHAZI sunscreens are formulated with high-tech active ingredients at the cellular level, natural plant oils and extracts to provide natural sun protection, and a special biotechnology sunscreen complex to provide physical protection. In addition, all ingredients support the skin's functions, helping it to restore its own defences and maintain its youthfulness.

Additional advice on light protection

1. Avoiding the use of artificial light sources and staying out of direct sunlight during the critical 11-15 h period in summer. By knowing one's own skin type, one should have information about the UV intensity that can be detected during that period and how many minutes of minimum erythematogenic dose this represents for one's skin type.

2. Wearing clothing made of thicker woven fabrics is recommended in the sun, a wide-brimmed hat or cap is recommended as headgear, and sunglasses with UV filtering properties are also desirable.

3. For areas of skin not covered by clothing, a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 is also recommended for protection against stray light during the summer. In addition, in situations of increased exposure, a much higher sunscreen is recommended for areas of the body that cannot be protected by appropriate clothing.

4. Sunscreen should be applied half an hour before sun exposure to maximise the effect.

5. It is recommended to use a waterproof product for bathing and to reapply waterproof sunscreens after bathing.