You may think that a hat is just a stylish accessory for the beach. Nothing similar. It turns out that the right headgear is able to effectively protect us against solar radiation, and thus reduces our risk of skin cancer. However, it should be remembered that not all headgear will be equally effective. See what we should pay attention to when shopping.
- Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Caucasians
- Fortunately, you can minimize the risk of developing this cancer. For this purpose, we should remember about adequate protection against solar radiation
- In summer, not only sunscreen creams are our best friends. We should also not forget about the appropriate headgear
- A suitable beach hat must cover your entire head. Ideally, its brim should be more than 7,5 cm in diameter. Optimally, if the cap is made of dark linen
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
Headgear that best protects against the sun
Hats and other hats play a key role in preventing skin cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in Caucasian people. Experts say every third person under the age of 65 will develop this type of cancer.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from this. Of course, the most important thing is to apply creams with a sufficiently high filter on the body. The offer of Medonet Market includes, among others EPTA SPOT SPOT SPF 50+ skin protection cream for discolored skin, FLOSLEK SPF 50+ sunscreen stick, and sunscreen with factor 50.
When going out into the sun, we must not forget to cover our heads. Thanks to this, we will protect the sensitive skin of the head, face, ears and neck from harmful radiation.
Below are the features that a perfect summer hat should have.
- The cap should cover the entire head. Visors and other similar headgear will not protect us in an appropriate way. It is important that the top of our head is also covered. Although the skin is usually covered with hair there, it is still vulnerable to sun damage.
- Reach for a large-brimmed hat. It should cover the entire head. Ideally, the brim should be approximately 7,5 cm in diameter. A popular baseball cap will not be the perfect choice. Its protection is limited. These types of hats do not cover the ears, which are extremely sensitive and easily burned. Therefore, when we go out in the sun, we should also remember to lubricate them with sunscreen.
- Choose the optimal fabric. To provide the best protection for us, the cap should be made of a tightly woven fabric, such as linen, for example. Some of them offer Ultraviolet Protection Factors (UPF). Fabric rated UPF 50 blocks 98 percent. UV rays. The higher the UPF index, the better the cap provides protection against UV radiation. What to avoid Straw hats. Their numerous holes allow the sun to easily reach the skin.
- Bet on a dark color. This may come as a surprise to some. It turns out, however, that the darker the color of our hat, the better it provides us with protection against UV radiation.
How to protect yourself from melanoma?
There is a 7W rule against melanoma. Here are its assumptions:
- Remember to cover your body with appropriate clothes. «The weave and the number of stitches in the fabric are important. For example, for an SPF of 15, the mesh count may be six percent. That is why it is so important to choose the right fabrics in the summer – notes Prof. Grażyna Kamińska-Winciorek from the Institute of Oncology Maria Skłodowskiej-Curie in Warsaw.
- Rub in the cream with a UV filter. However, remember that it should have sufficiently high protection against UV radiation. Those with a filter of up to 12 SPF do not provide any protection for our skin. It is better to reach for those 30 to 50 SPF. «However, filter 50 does not mean that we spend more time in the sun, ie we can sunbathe 50 times longer. It does not mean that it is a filter intended for people over 50, because I also encounter such a misinterpretation »- explains prof. Grażyna Kamińska-Winciorek.
- Put the hat on your head. As we mentioned above – it should cover the entire head and have a sufficiently wide brim. It is best if it is made of dark linen.
- Remember about glasses with a UV filter. The skin of the eyelids is particularly exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. That’s why you have to protect her. Reach only for proven glasses with a UV filter. Those that can be purchased at popular chain stores will not provide you with adequate protection.
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 14 p.m. (in summer until 16 p.m.) If you are on the beach, you are better off staying in the shade.
- Forget the solarium. Using it significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
- Research changes. If you notice new moles or one of the old ones starts to change its color, shape, etc., be sure to consult a doctor. An early diagnosis of skin cancer gives a better chance of a complete cure.