Back up slowly to start a race to the edge of the pool that propels you as far inside as possible. This time, this jump has allowed him to reach a few centimeters more than the previous jump. Not satisfied yet with the space traveled in this plunge, he performed the same pirouette again. Again and again he continues to submerge himself in the water under the rays of the sun that leave an indelible mark on his skin. Sun damage that will accumulate on your dermis throughout your childhood and adolescence and that, without the use of a suitable sunscreen and the implementation of certain recommendations to combat the effects of solar radiation throughout this early stage, possibly they will have side effects during their adulthood. Because, according to
Sun protection guide in community pharmacy
, prepared by the Spanish Society of Clinical, Family and Community Pharmacy (SEFAC), between 50% and 80% of the damage by sun exposure that an individual receives throughout life occurs during childhood and adolescence.
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The document collects the different types of sunscreens (physical, chemical, organomineral or biological), reviews the different sun protection factors and analyzes the labeling of sunscreens, which are governed by Regulation 1233/2009 of the European Union (EU ) on cosmetic products. Teresa Bonnin, from the SEFAC Dermatology group, points out that the public, in general, "does not know what are the standards that sunscreens marketed in the EU must meet." Hence the importance of this guide to provide the pharmacist with the information that helps him offer the best advice to the population. In this sense, Teresa Bonnin points out, “the document specifies radiation and its effects, the differences between the different sunscreens, what they contain, what types of filter exist, the latest regulations,the new labeling, as well as proposals for recommendations based on the phototype and the characteristics and needs of the skin, the correct use and the sunscreen according to the age of the user or the need for it. Likewise, it tries to demystify some beliefs about how to protect the skin from the sun, since these false myths generate misinformation among the population and encourage bad practices when exposing oneself to solar radiation ”.since these false myths generate misinformation among the population and promote bad practices when it comes to exposing oneself to solar radiation ”.since these false myths generate misinformation among the population and promote bad practices when it comes to exposing oneself to solar radiation ”.
From SEFAC they point out that, in recent years, thanks to prevention and health education campaigns, there has been a greater awareness of the importance of protecting oneself from the sun, although they say that "much remains to be done." In this work on "education", Teresa Bonnin declares that the role of the pharmacist "is key in the mentalization of society, thanks to the knowledge it has and its closeness to the population." That there is greater awareness, continues this expert, is evident in the fact that, “more and more, people go to the pharmacy seeking advice on sun protection and not only in summer. Throughout the year facial sunscreens are dispensed, which indicates that there is an awareness also in the prevention of photoaging, sun spots, allergies and skin pathologies,with a greater concern to the aggressions not only of the radiation, but of what the exposome supposes ”.
The dermatologists' consultations occasionally receive children and young people with pathologies associated with sun exposure, says Lucero Noguera Morel, a dermatologist at the Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús. There are no data on the exact prevalence, although it is generally low. Specialist Noguera Morel points out that most of the children and young people who visit it “are due to inadvertent sun exposure without photoprotection, such as doing sports or playing outdoors, especially at the beginning of summer. Likewise, we see children with photosensitive diseases (they get worse with sun exposure) who usually have outbreaks in the summer, such as children with sun allergies or lupus erythematosus ”.
The dermatologist from Madrid's Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús maintains that “the solar exposure that children receive, compared to that of adults, is greater, given that they often spend more time outdoors, an average of two hours, two and a half hours. up to date". An opinion that coincides with that of Dr. Eulalia Baselga, head of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona, who points out that “children are exposed to the sun for a long time, not only coinciding with the summer season, when they spend more time in the parks, the swimming pools, the beach or the mountains, but also during the rest of the year in the schoolyard, at noon or in the morning ”. A time that is reduced, according to Eulalia Baselga, “as we get older. Therefore, of all the radiation that the body receives throughout its life,80% have been received before the age of 18 ”.
Dr. Noguera Morel comments that "excessive exposure to sunlight in the long run can lead to negative effects for the skin such as photoaging, burns or the development of skin cancer, as is well known." However, this expert from the Madrid hospital assures that “a moderate and responsible exposure is beneficial for health; it gives us general well-being, increases mental activity, reduces stress and activates the synthesis of vitamin D that provides us with other benefits both at the skin and bone level ”.
Regarding prevention campaigns to raise awareness among children and young people about the effects of the sun on the skin, much progress has been made, experts say, but even so, the dermatologist Noguera Morel assures that “we cannot say that they are enough because even in these times, and despite all the information that exists, we continue to see people exposed to the sun excessively, often without protection or without being aware of the damage that can occur in the long term. What we can say is that there are numerous campaigns that have been carried out for many years, both from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and from the Spanish Association against cancer ”.
Regarding the work to achieve the objectives of awareness in the child and adolescent stage, the specialist Teresa Bonni assures that “the pharmacist, together with dermatologists and pharmaceutical laboratories experts in sun protection, as well as associations such as the AECC or Lupus patients, must follow conducting awareness campaigns, as many people are unaware of the types of radiation, its effects, how it can alter the immune system or the damage induced by blue light. It should be known that the damage to the skin does not only come from ultraviolet B radiation, which is what we have in summer, but from UV A, C and IR, in addition to visible light and especially blue light, coming from electronic devices, which also causes premature aging and blemishes on the skin ”.
School and family are the ideal environments for boys and girls to acquire healthy sun habits for the future. A task that must be carried out, according to the dermatologist at the Niño Jesús University Hospital, “in the first place, explaining the benefits and risks at home and at school, so that they have information. It is important to emphasize here that photoprotection does not only imply giving sunscreen, but also includes physical protections (wearing clothes, a hat, glasses) and "smart" sun exposure, avoiding the central hours of the day, when the UV index is higher. tall. Playing sports outdoors and playing is always good for the health of boys and girls, both physically and mentally. Therefore, it is not about being afraid of the sun, but about knowing how to expose themselves responsibly ”.
The experts also influence a responsible use of social networks that avoids the presentation of some aesthetic models that are presented in them. Dr. Eulalia Baselga believes that “with the beauty model that is included in these platforms, with very tanned skin, it is difficult for children and young people to assume prevention as a fundamental element to protect themselves from the sun. We are in such an immediate world that when you tell them that something can happen in a few years, they don't care ”. For this reason, dermatologists demand campaigns that support a change in the current beauty model, because if we do not do so, points out the dermatologist at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona, “it is very difficult for them to assume prevention as an essential element to protect from the sun"
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