Summer is here and the sun is shining more frequently. It lightens the mood and browns the complexion. But at the same time athletes also need protect themselves from it. The most important points:

Determine your skin type

The level of sun protection factor depends primarily on your own skin type. Your personal self-protection time can be deduced from your skin type. The self-protection time multiplied by the sun protection factor reveals the maximum time you can stay in the sun. Sweat and water can reduce the sun protection factor by up to 10 percent, as they soften the skin and make it more translucent. Therefore, the first rule is: use a high sun protection factor and reapply it! For athletes, a protection factor of at least 30 is recommended, 50 is even better. And it is equally important that the sunscreen product is water-resistant.

Spray or gel?

From spray to gel to lotion or cream: sunscreen products are available in a wide variety of consistencies. When doing sports activities, viscous creams can be a disadvantage, as in extreme cases they can cause heat to build up. In this case, lotions or sprays are suitable and they also have the advantage of being easier to apply. On the other hand, lotions and sprays usually have a lower sun protection factor. For people with skin problems such as acne, it is better to use thinner products rather than creams.

Apply before sunbathing

Sun products are basically equipped with two different types of filters: chemical and physical filters. Physical filters, also known as pigment filters, are mainly used in a high sun protection factor. The effect immediately begins after application. Pigment filters are therefore a must for children and they also make sense for athletes, especially on exposed areas such as the nose, forehead, and ears. Chemical filters contain substances that absorb the light energy of the UV rays and convert it into heat and harmless light energy. If you use protective agents with chemical filters, you should apply them 20 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.

Sun protection and competitions

There is a particularly high risk of getting sunburn during long competitions such as a marathon or Ironman. Thus, even when it is really hot, all parts of the body should be covered as much as possible with clothing (don’t forget head protection!) and sunscreen should be reapplied at regular intervals.

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