The sun, taken in moderation, brings significant benefits to the body: it is good for bones and muscles, improves good mood and reduces stress. However, UV rays penetrate deeply, altering and damaging collagen and elastin; they are harmful to the skin and eyes. Adequately protecting the most exposed parts is essential to prevent cellular aging and to avoid the onset of more or less serious chronic diseases.
Skin protection: advice from the pharmacy
Prolonged exposure to sunlight without adequate protection can cause annoying burns and skin irritation. To prevent these and other problems, start by improving your diet. Choose fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain vitamins C, E, beta carotene and antioxidants such as tomatoes, carrots, peaches, strawberries and melon.
Sunbathe in the cooler hours of the day, making sure to apply a sunscreen with a protective factor suitable for your phototype at least 30 minutes beforehand. You can also spray a solution of water and bicarbonate all over the body to stimulate the production of melanin and therefore more easily obtain a homogeneous, golden and lasting tan, but without any health risk.
In case of skin reddened by the sun, prevent itching and burning by spreading a generous layer of sweet almond oil on the area of interest, with a moisturizing and soothing action. For the same purpose, honey and aloe vera are also excellent.
To further shield UV rays, wear wide-brimmed hats, caps, and lightweight fabrics with sunscreen.
Eye protection: products available in pharmacies
The eyes are very delicate. They need adequate protection at the sea as well as in the mountains and in everyday life. Exposure of the retina and lens to ultraviolet rays can lead to redness, tearing and hypersensitivity to light but also diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. To prevent serious eye damage, wear a pair of sunglasses with UV protective lenses that you can easily find at the best optical stores. They have a variable filtering power and are available in lighter models, almost smoked, for indoor venues, up to versions for the mountains and high-reverberation surfaces.
Wear the lenses even in the open air and in the city, perhaps combining them with a wide-brimmed hat useful as additional protection.
Protect the eye area with suitable products. The area, in itself very sensitive and delicate, is susceptible to sunlight. In order not to accentuate the imperfections and slow down skin aging, preventing the formation of wrinkles, regularly apply a specific anti-fatigue serum for the periocular area. If you are still very young, opt for a product that fights the formation of bags, dark circles and expression lines, able to pamper the skin and give an immediate feeling of well-being, a fresh and rested appearance.
Further advice from your pharmacy:
In order not to take risks, adequately protect the skin and eyes from ultraviolet rays, sunbathe gradually avoiding exposure in the central hours of the day.
If you feel a sunburn, seek shelter in a shaded area. Avoid the umbrella because it shields minimally.
Use a sunscreen suitable for your skin type, free from parabens, silicones and other chemical components that damage the skin and the environment.
