Which sun factor should you use, how often should you apply sunscreen and can the use of sunscreen have negative consequences for the skin? At the top of the world for skin cancer It may seem that Norwegians have become better at protecting themselves with sunscreen and clothing, says secretary general of the cancer association, Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross. Nevertheless, Norway is number three in the world when it comes to melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The incidence has doubled in the last 10 years. Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross is concerned about the skin cancer figures. Photo: Jorunn Valle Nilsen / Kreftforeningen A total of 3,059 new cases of skin cancer were registered in 2023, according to the cancer register. – A lot of sun increases the risk of skin cancer. If you are concerned about taking care of your skin, you should definitely use sunscreen, says the general secretary. Anne Birgitte Nordal is a dermatologist at the Hudklinikken in Oslo and says that there are several speculations about the sunscreen which she can both confirm and deny. Anne Birgitte Thomas Nordal Dermatologist at Hudklinikken Trained doctor Specialist training in skin and venereal diseases Job as senior doctor at the skin polyclinic at Rikshospitalet Here are the six most discussed questions: Can sunscreen give you bad skin? Do you experience that you get impure skin after using sunscreen? This can be avoided if you use a sunscreen for your skin type, and in the right way. – You must be careful to clean your face in the evening, so you get rid of the residue. A good tip is also to use a thin liquid sunscreen, says the dermatologist. She mentions that there is a wide selection of sun creams. If you find a sunscreen for acne-prone skin, you can prevent any acne breakouts. When should you use which sun factor? There are several people who believe that a higher factor means a thicker consistency on the sunscreen. This is not the case. There are sunscreens with a sun factor of 50, which are available in both gel, lotion and spray versions. The higher the sun factor, the more protection you get from the sun. – I recommend using sun factor 50 on the face and 30 or more for the rest of the body, says dermatologist Nordal. Which sun factor do you use the most in the summer? ☀ Always 50🔥 30 lasts😎 20 or less😁 A mixture of different factors😜 Show result Do you need to use sunscreen in the shade? During the summer months in Norway, both UVA and UVB rays are strong. The UVB rays are blocked to a certain extent by clouds and when there is rain. This does not mean, however, that you should avoid smearing yourself in cloudy weather. – The UVA rays pass through regardless of the weather. So you need sunscreen every day. From spring and summer and early autumn in Norway, says Nordal. – It is a very good rule to use sunscreen every day. Do you get a tan even with sunscreen on? Many people avoid applying oil because they are afraid that the tan will not come on. But you get a tan even if you use sunscreen. You can actually get a deeper tan that lasts longer. – The skin gets more time to build up the pigment if you protect yourself from the sun. Shock tanning is never recommended, says Nordal. Do you get wrinkles if you avoid using sunscreen? The dermatologist can confirm that sunscreen will absolutely provide protection against the development of wrinkles. – This generally applies to all sun protection. Can you use last year’s sunscreen? Did you only use up half of the sunscreen from last year and wonder if you can use it this year? – If the sunscreen has a normal smell and consistency and has not been left in the sun the year before, you can use it the following year. Had it changed consistency, I would have thrown it away. Dermatologist Nordal says that the most important thing is not to rely 100 per cent on the sunscreen, but also to take other measures. Here are some of the measures she mentions to avoid getting sunburned. Measures against sunburn Take a break when the sun is at its strongest. Seek out shade. Cover yourself with clothing, a hat or sunglasses. Lubricate yourself repeatedly throughout the day, preferably every two hours. RULE TO REMEMBER: Use approx. one teaspoon of sunscreen for the entire head and neck, and a handful for the body. Alma Flæte Modalsi (20) fills up the entire hand with the protective cream, as recommended by the dermatologist. The park is a common place for people in Oslo to sunbathe. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news With the help of Mira Skår Sunde (21), they ensure that there are no white spots on the face. Here it must be protected from the sun, which is at its strongest. By repeating this every two hours, the girls can lie in the park without worrying about getting sunburned. Want to raise awareness Ross from the Swedish Cancer Society believes that the skin cancer figures do not need to be so high. That’s because nine out of ten cases are related to too much sun and solariums. It is recommended to use a handful of sunscreen on the body. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news The consequences in the short term are getting really sunburned, but in the long term there is an increased risk of skin cancer. – We hope that increased awareness can help Norwegians down from the world’s top spot for skin cancer, says the secretary-general. Published 24.06.2024, at 05.36
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Dermatologist answers the myths about sunscreen. – Greater Oslo
