When there are plenty of places to be discovered and tons of activities to be engaged in, putting on sunscreen might be the least concern of many. In fact, applying this product religiously everyday or urging someone to do so can be taxing especially if the ill effects are not immediately visible.
According to Dr. Liang Chen of Beiersdorf Research and Development’s Far East Hub, accumulated skin damage from prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays appears years after. While sunburn may heal after a few days and the color of your slightly tanned skin may revert back to its original complexion, your dermis (inner layer of the skin) is actually gradually thickening and its ability to retain moisture is reduced, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Overexposure can also cause skin cancer.
These alarming sun damage facts notwithstanding, many still forget and forgo applying sunscreen. Perhaps it would only take a few experts and a couple of data to compel adults to wear the needed sun protection, but urging children to do the same can be a challenge.
In a bid to teach kids the importance of using sunscreen, skincare label Nivea introduces the Nivea Sun Doll. Created and initially launched in Brazil, the doll is made of UV sensitive material thus it sunburns when exposed to UV rays without protection.
“Kids are usually eager to go out of the sun that they don’t want to wear sunscreen,” Nivea states in the promotional video.
Applying sunscreen rids the doll of the painful red color, and putting it on before exposure protects the toy from getting sunburned. In this way, children – as well as adults – are taught about the significance of sunscreen use in a playful and engaging manner.
A Beiersdorf (maker of Nivea) Philippines official said during the Nivea Summer Kick-off in Bohol that the doll “will definitely be available in the Philippines this summer.” The price and mechanics on how to get one will be announced soon.
As kids happily slather Nivea sunscreen on their doll, they are also educated on the proper use of sunscreen to fully get the protection from the product.
Burning facts about sun and sunscreen
During the Nivea Sun forum, Dr. Chen said that two kinds of sun’s UV rays – long wave or ultraviolet A and short wave or ultraviolet B – reach the earth’s surface. And although a person is not directly exposed to sunlight, it does not mean he is exempted from the harmful effects of UV radiation, as the rays that penetrate the atmosphere are reflected off the earth’s surface.
People frolicking in grassy areas are at risk of six percent of reflected UV rays, while those on the beach can get as much as 25 percent from the UV bouncing off from the sand. Water, on the other hand, reflects 10 percent of sun’s radiation and snow produces the most indirect UV rays exposure at 30 percent.
UV rays can also penetrate clouds and even our roofs, which means an overcast day or spending time indoors does not spare you from wearing sunscreen.
“If you want to protect yourself [from sun damage], you have to protect yourself all the time,” declared Dr. Chen, reiterating the importance of wearing protection everyday regardless of weather and location.
It goes without saying that choosing the right sunscreen is important to make sure you’re getting the most protection. While many labels only advertise the SPF (sun protection factor) value of their products, Dr. Chen advised to choose a sunscreen that also has Protection Grade of UVA or PA. “SPF protects you against UVB while PA shields you from UVA.”
Sunscreen with SPF 50 is the recommended SPF value.
In a demonstration, Dr. Chen showed that the right amount of sunscreen a person needs to apply on every part of his body should be a straight line from the tip of the middle finger down to the end of the palm. He added to make sure to apply the product evenly to maximize the product’s protection capacity.
“Some consumers want to make the product last longer so they use less amount. Even if the product claims SPF50++, when you apply less [than the recommended amount], you’re only getting SPF 25,” shared Dr. Chen.
Fun under the sun with Nivea Sun
Nivea offers a wide range of sun protection products for various needs and circumstances.
The Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture is suitable for everyday use as the range offers reliable protection and moisturization for up to 24 hours. Be protected while lightening the skin with Nivea Sun Protect & White range which features Active Whitening Complex that reduces skin pigmentation and melanin production.
For those who desire the covetable sun-kissed glow and a natural, even tan, they can rely on Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze Spray. Efficient sun protection and pleasurable sensation of freshness are combined in Nivea Sun Protect & Light Feel Invisible Sun Mist.
Meanwhile, playful kids who have more sensitive skin can depend on the especially formulated Nivea Sun Kids line that is composed of extra water resistant sunscreen products.
According to Dr. Chen, a sunscreen can only claim the “extra water resistant” tag if 50 percent of the original SPF is detectable after four times of being drenched or exposed in water for 20 minutes.
Finally, get after-care from Nivea Sun Cooling After Sun Spray which has aloe vera that cools and soothes while helping restore skin moisture after prolonged sun exposure.