What is sunscreen or sunblock?
Sunscreens are the products used for the purpose of avoiding harmful sun rays including the Ultraviolet radiation that can cause serious effects to skin including moderate to severe reactions like acne and different types of skin cancer.
Sunscreens are the products intended for the protection against UV exposure. The efficiency of sunscreens is characterized by “Sun Protection Factor” (SPF). In Pakistan, minimum of SPF above 35 is necessary to avoid harmful effects of sun exposure in hotter regions. Sunscreens work by absorbing or reflecting the UV light. Prevalence of Skin Cancer increases Worldwide due to increase in “Global Warming” and “Depletion of Ozone Layer”. Due to Global warming the temperature of Earth rises; On the other hand, depletion of Ozone layer leads to entrance of harmful Ultraviolet light from sun in Earth atmosphere. High cumulative level of UV radiations effects the normal skin growth and cause skin problems e.g., sunburn, pimples, freckles, skin cancer, etc.
Use of Sunscreens and other Sun-protective measures are the most effective way to prevent Skin cancer and other skin problems such as photo-ageing, hyperpigmentation, etc.
What is sun exposure and its effects?
Sunscreens usage-Different Research Areas
Litrature
The majority of literature review regarding sunscreens, sun exposure and behaviour towards sun exposure is based on surveys and questionaries. They showed that there is lack of knowledge regarding sunscreens, sun protective measure and sun exposure. Moreover, limited data is available regarding to sun exposure and their harmful effects on skin.
According to a Saudi journal article the research conducted for the testing of knowledge and attitude of sunscreens among people has concluded following major points They conducted research on 2900 people and concluded that..
- In total, 2622 were completed, returned and included in data analysis, corresponding to a response rate of 90.4%.
- This study has induced a high sun exposure rate among respondents, the mean weakly sun exposure duration was 19.13 hours.
- Sixty-six percent (1741/2606) reported that they usually spend more time outdoors during winter compared to summer.
- Twenty-one percent (558/2592) reported that they never heard about sunscreen.
- Forty-one percent (1062/2566) reported that they never used sunscreen, while only 23.7 (608/2566) reported regular use of sunscreen during their outdoor activities.
The research was conducted to study the KAP(knowledge ,attitude ,and practice) of sunscreens Among the people of Saudi Arabia.
In Pakistan studies shows that the use of sunscreens and skin car products is relatively less due to many reason including the lack of trust in these products and due to the inflation and higher prices of the products.
Use of skin care products especially the use of sunscreens should be ensured and people should be provided proper counselling and knowledge to decrease the health issues related to sun exposure.
