Heatwave in Austria! Yeah! We are still excited. Was cool for a long time, now we are happy and pop us every weekend in the pool or on the quarry. Sun full, brown, life can not be better. Trouble: The revenge of the sun is not long in coming. Premature aging of the skin, pigment spots or a much more difficult to remove melasma. In order to avoid this skin damage, proper sun protection is the ups and downs. We're not really explaining anything new to you – but it's always amazing what myths most of us still have when it comes to sun protection. Why we have the biggest sun myths times a check by Dr. med. Elke Janig, dermatologist at the Kuzbari Center for Aesthetic Medicine and expert on skin health.
Sun Myth 1: In the shade, you do not get sunburned
Shade does not protect you from sunburn – especially if you are near the pool or on the beach. The water reflects 80% of the sun's rays and bangs them through the shadow in your face. Attention: Even with umbrellas there are quality differences. If the substance is of inferior quality, there is still sufficient sunshine for sunburn.
Sun Myth 2: Waterproof sunscreen keeps even after swimming
If you go bathing with water-resistant sunscreen, after about 40 minutes, all 50% of the protective effect disappeared. Therefore: renew again and again.
Sun Myth 3: High sun protection means you can stay longer in the sun
The level of UV protection does not depend on how long you spend in the sun. But according to your skin type. The brighter you are or the higher your tendency to pigment spots and sun damage, the higher the sun protection factor must be. Nevertheless, one is better protected with LSF 50 than with LSF 10 – and therefore can stay longer in the sun. Caution: cream every 2 hours, no matter if you were in the water or not.
Sun Myth 4: Applying sunscreen twice also protects twice
The double amount of SPF 20 does not give SPF 40! If you double the amount you are not protected twice. But: We often use too little product, wearing the sunscreen only thin. The real rule: 1 tbsp sunscreen alone for the face. So you can refill!
Sun Myth 5: Clothing protects against the sun
Correct. Clothing shields the skin from UV radiation. But she has to be tightly woven and thick. For example, cotton absorbs the UV-B rays that cause sunburn, but very poorly. Polyester on the other hand offers very good protection. But also ensures more sweat. By the way: Wide and dark clothing protects better than bright, tight colors and cuts.
Sun Myth 6: Potting helps with sunburn
Does the grandmother's home remedy really cause sunburn? Njein. Although potting has a cooling and moisturizing effect, the bacteria contained in the milk can also lead to inflammation. With special after-sun products you are better advised.
Sun Myth 7: Perfume and sun are not compatible
The alcohol substances contained in some perfumes can sensitize light and lead to permanent pigment spots on the skin. If you do not want to go to the bathroom without perfume: Almost all cosmetics labels now offer a special summer edition without alcohol. 
Sun Myth 8: Moisturizer works just like after-sun lotion
What your skin needs after an intense sunbath is moisture. That will definitely provide your moisturizer. However, special after-sun products also contain additional care substances that soothe irritation and cool the irritated skin. Special after-sun creams with DNA repair enzymes also repair minor sun damage to the skin, even after the fact.
Sun Myth 9: If you do sports, you will also turn brown faster
Oh well. We are not in the shade. But we do not go through sports faster than rumliegen by the pool. The difference: our body is becoming evenly brown!
Sunshine Myth 10: Blondes need more sunscreen than brunette
Blondes usually have a lighter skin type than dark haired. The self-protection time differs but only by minutes. Dermatologists can best determine the optimal UV factor for you.
Sun Myth 11: Tanning in the solarium protects against sunburn
What's right: By pre-tanning in the solarium you do not get sunburn so quickly in the open air. However, in the solarium you will once again have an extra dose of UV rays in your face. In addition, UVA light is used in the solarium, which chemically alters only pigment precursors so that they look thinner. So it's not a real "suntan". In addition the production of more pigment and the important emergence of the "light calluses", thus a microscopic thickening of the skin, which protects against the UV rays, are missing. The dangerous UVB rays, which are responsible for the sunburn and the development of skin cancer are not stopped by the wrong "tanning" solarium.
Sun Myth 12: Sunburn on the scalp is only bald
Not correct. Sunburn on the scalp can hit anyone. Especially the back of the head (vertebrae) is endangered. Sun hats protect the head. If you do not always want to walk around with a cloth or a hat, you can use a non-greasy sunscreen spray to nebulise the scalp a bit.
Sun Myth 13: With eczema one should avoid the sun
The sun can even alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis! Important is the right sunscreen. The best are dermatologically developed sunscreens without perfumes, dyes, and preservatives, which do not burden the already dry, sensitive skin additionally.