Milliyet Newspaper – July 13, 2021
People with allergies usually have sensitive skin. Eczema is often seen on these skins. For this reason, it would be better for people who are prone to allergies to choose sunscreen creams, especially those with low allergy potential. So, how to choose products with low allergy potential? Allergy and Asthma Association President Prof.Dr. Ahmet Akcay told.
Chemical sunscreens can cause both allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Oxybenzone, a UVA chemical filter, is the most common sunscreen that causes irritant or allergic contact or photo-contact dermatitis.
PABA is a common allergen but is no longer found in sunscreens. Other sunscreen agents that can cause photo-allergic reactions include cinnamates, dibenzoylmethanes octocrylene and benzophenones. Sunscreens that do not contain these components should be used.
It would be better for children and adults who are prone to allergies to use sunscreen creams containing physical UVF such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It should be preferred because it is absorbed from the skin and has a low potential to cause allergies.
As a result; It would be a useful approach for children and adults older than 6 months who have eczema and are prone to allergic diseases to use sunscreen creams that contain physical UV filters and do not contain cinnamates, dibenzoylmethanes and benzophenone substances.
You can test for allergies
The ingredient labels on the products will help you avoid ingredients you are known to be sensitive to, but you should always be careful, making sure to test any new sunscreen before applying it liberally.
Apply a small pea-sized amount to your wrist or the crease of your elbow. Do not wash that area for 24-48 hours, and any rash, redness, acne on the skin, itching, pain, flaking, etc. Watch out for allergic reactions such as
You can try this once a day for 5 days as sensitivity may take some time to develop. In addition, you can do this test at regular intervals, as the sunscreens you have used in the past, its formulation or the structure of your skin may have changed.
How should people with allergies apply sunscreen?
Use a sunscreen with a high SPF (50+) and apply liberally, but avoid rubbing too much. (Your skin should remain slightly white). To be effective, the cream must remain on the surface of the skin. When using sunscreens;
1-Apply 15 minutes before going out in the sun.
2-If you don’t have a lot of hair, apply sunscreen on your head or wear a hat.
3-Reapply at least every two hours or immediately after swimming.
4-Take extra care of babies and children in the sun. Consult your healthcare provider before applying sunscreen to children under 6 months of age.
5-Never apply sunscreen to damaged or broken skin.
6-Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, especially your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands and feet.
How to use moisturizer and sunscreen together?
Sun exposure dries out the skin. Try to apply your moisturizer about half an hour before applying sunscreen. This will prevent the sunscreen from being diluted by the moisturizer and allow the sunscreen to retain its protective properties.
If you are using an oily or oily moisturizer, be careful not to over-apply it as it can cause a ‘blush’ effect in the sun.
Babies and young children should always wear sunscreen clothing with built-in SPF50.
This garment is also available for adults with sunscreen sensitivity.
Sunscreen should be applied to exposed skin areas every 2 hours.
