Should you apply the first spring sun?

Finally, spring is in sight and you can enjoy the first rays of sunshine again. The sun is not yet as strong as it is in summer, so many people think that you don’t need to apply sunscreen yet. Is that right? Or is it better to do that?

Sensitive skin

That is not true. In fact, your skin is more sensitive to the sun, because it is not yet used to it after the dark winter months. This makes your skin much more vulnerable, increasing the chance of DNA damage from UV rays. According to the RIVM, especially children are now extra sensitive to the sun. So grease yourself and your (grand)children well!

If you want to know which protection factor you need, it’s best to check your . first determine skin type: one, two, three or four. In addition, there is a calculation method to determine the protection factor – the SPF (Sun Protection Factor). This is the ratio between the time you can spend in the sun without protection and the sun’s strength. Handy to know, especially when the sun’s power is not that strong yet.

Vitamin D

Are you now afraid that you will get a vitamin D deficiency because of all that rubbing? It is not necessary. Research has shown that a person (including a child) with white skin produces a maximum amount of vitamin D within fifteen minutes a day, when the head and hands are exposed. Just playing outside, walking or cycling is enough. Longer in the sun is not necessary for your daily vitamin D production.

In short: enjoy the sun, but do it wisely.

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