Sunscreen As A Means Of Skin Protection

Indonesia is a tropical country due to its existence on the equator. Indonesians themselves are often exposed to ultraviolet rays, which is a result of Indonesia's existence. The sun, which is always above the sky, is the source of life for living things. However, the sun that emits these rays has two good sides and a bad side. Good in being a source of energy for creatures on earth, while the bad side is the ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from sunlight. Because this UV light if exposed to the skin directly will experience skin composition, structural changes, and oxidative stress on the skin. Or in other words, UV rays are a threat to skin health, especially human skin. 

Skin is an organ that is outside to protect or protect the organs inside. In addition to this function, the skin also has an aesthetic function, the beauty of the skin becomes its own aesthetic value for people. Skin that has beauty or aesthetic value is healthy skin. As healthy skin is seen in terms of flexibility, moisture, skin texture, and color. 

Skin, which is so important in life, can be damaged because of exposure to sunlight, which can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer is the occurrence of abnormal skin cell growth. Data shows that 5% of people in the world experience melanoma skin cancer and among them cause death. In Indonesia, skin cancer is the third most common cancer case. Skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. 

To protect the skin from UV exposure, use sunscreen or commonly called sunscreen. Sunscreen has the ability to protect the skin due to its Sun Protection Factor (SPF) content. Sunscreen is a substance or material used as protection against UV radiation to human skin. Sunscreen itself has many types that can make it easier to carry. This is an effective breakthrough for someone in its use. 

But it is unfortunate that there are still many people who do not know the importance of using sunscreen. Because sunscreen does not only favor the aesthetic impact or beauty of the skin but also the health of the skin. Sunscreen products have a big influence on the skin as protection from UV radiation. UV radiation can cause cancer but can also cause other deficiencies received by the skin. 

Optimal use of sunscreen has a good impact on the skin. This is driven by Indonesia's geographical situation which is easily exposed to sunlight. Long-term use will cause protection from excess UV radiation. The level of knowledge and awareness of the use of sunscreen is more widely accepted by women. Whereas men have a variety of activities that are required to work outdoors compared to women. Therefore, the importance of using sunscreen needs awareness from everyone regardless of gender.

UV rays from the sun have many health benefits in terms of the formation of vitamin D, which is necessary for bones. However, UV rays also have negative effects on skin health. The sun's UV rays have various types such as UV A, UV B, and UV C. UV A has a wavelength of about (320-400 nm) and exceeds 90%, this type of light can reach the surface of the earth and penetrate the skin into the dermis layer of the body. As for the type of UV B light, it has a wavelength of (290-320 nm) which has a content of 5% among all UV, in this type the layer that receives the most is the stratum corneum skin layer or the outermost layer because it is not as easy as the UV A type in penetrating the dermis layer in the skin. Finally, there is UV C light which has a wavelength of (200-290 nm), but unlike other UV rays, this light cannot reach the earth's surface because the ozone in the atmosphere has absorbed it first. 

When compared between these types of UV rays, UV A rays have more ability in terms of damaging skin SNA indirectly. This is because UV A rays have stable properties every day and can also penetrate clouds and glass. Unlike UV B rays which are at their quantity point at 10:00-14:00 but can also absorb glass and clouds. 

Naturally, the skin already has a defense against this UV radiation. This defense is called Melanin or pigment in the epidermis and proteins in the outermost layer of the skin. This defense works by absorbing UV rays to reduce the amount of light entering the skin. Each person has a different sensitivity to UV light depending on the number of melanin cells. Dark-skinned people with more melanin cells are more protected than people with fewer melanin cells. However, just because they have defense from melanin cells does not prevent someone from getting the effects of UV rays. 

Because the skin is exposed to excessive solar UV radiation for a short period of time, it will cause various skin disorders. Some skin disorders that are classified as acute or rapid are sunburn and tanning. Sunburn is skin inflammation caused by exposure to the sun's UV rays. Symptoms that appear are redness of the skin and pain. In addition, the skin will feel warm but can also become itchy at the same time. The radiation rays that play a role in this disorder are UV B rays. This disorder can recover within 3-5 days. However, sunburn symptoms can be more severe as they can be accompanied by swelling and fever if the sun exposure is strong, long, and the skin type of the individual exposed. 

Furthermore, there is Tanning which is a skin disorder with the effect of changing the color of the skin. In this disorder there are two stages called initial and advanced. Initial tanning will cause the skin to change color in a matter of minutes but will disappear in a few days depending on the UV dose and the type of skin of a person. Whereas in the advanced stage about 3 to 4 days after experiencing UV exposure, there will be a more pronounced change in skin color and can disappear within a few weeks.