Near East University Hospital Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Department Specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz says that although tanning is aesthetically preferred, it actually occurs as a result of a self-protection mechanism activated by damage to the skin.

While the hot summer days continue, the strong effects of the sun continue to cause many skin problems. Stating that there are three different ultraviolet (uv) rays in the sun rays, namely UVA, UVB and UVC, Near East University Hospital Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz says that UVB exposure can cause first-degree burns, causing redness, pain and edema on the skin. In long-term damage, the case can turn into a second-degree skin burn due to the formation of water-filled bubbles.

Tanning is not healthy!
Tanning, on the other hand, is the result of the skin’s effort to repair itself after damage caused by sunburn. Therefore, Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that although tanning is aesthetically preferred, it is actually a self-protection mechanism that occurs as a result of damage to the skin.

Beware of sunburns
Stating that in the treatment of sunburns, bed rest, plenty of oral fluid support, cold application, and a colorless and fragrance-free moisturizer should be used, Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that depending on the severity of the burn, creams and pills that reduce redness and pain are also recommended. Stating that in severe cases where the skin integrity is impaired due to burns, short-term and low-dose systemic steroid therapy or the use of systemic prophylactic antibiotics may be required. Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz warned that applications such as creams, skin cleansing products, yogurt, toothpaste and tomato paste that are not recommended by the dermatologist should not be applied to the burned area. Assist. Prof. Dr. Mullaaziz stated that these applications can cause the burn to deepen, turn into a secondary infection and allergic changes.

Sun rays can cause wrinkles, freckles, spots, skin aging and cancer.
Stating that excessive amounts of sun rays can cause dermatological damages such as sunburns in the short term, Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that long-term exposure may cause wrinkles, freckles, sunspots, skin aging, and skin cancers. Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz stated that sun damage mainly occurs before the age of 20 and that a history of severe sunburn in childhood leads to the development of skin cancer and that children should be protected from the sun.

Babies should be kept away from the sun for the first 6 months.
Stating that babies should be kept away from the sun if possible in the first 6 months, Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz said that if there will be sun exposure longer than 20 minutes after 6 months, a chemical-free dermatologically protective product should be used.

Protection recommendations
Assist. Prof. Dr. Didem Mullaaziz also made suggestions for protection from sunburns.

• Do not stay outside between 10:00 and 17:00 hours
• Use a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen when going out
• Use protective creams at intervals of 4 hours when under the sun and at intervals of 2 hours when at the seaside.
• Observe protective measures as sunburns can occur even when in the shade or in the pool/sea.
• Make sure that children and white-skinned people prefer light-colored and sleeved clothes when under the sun.