{"id":20693,"date":"2025-06-16T09:13:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T07:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/?p=20693"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:32:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T07:32:36","slug":"dr-maria-politou-greek-summer-sunshine-and-uv-radiation-how-can-i-protect-my-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/dr-maria-politou-greek-summer-sunshine-and-uv-radiation-how-can-i-protect-my-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Maria Politou |Greek Summer, Sunshine, and UV Radiation: How Can I Protect My Skin?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Greek Summer, Sunshine, and UV Radiation: How Can I Protect My Skin?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20685 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_1670.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"66\" height=\"89\" \/>Maria Politou<br \/>\nDermatologist-Venereologist<br \/>\nSenior Registrar, 1st University Dermatology Clinic, &#8220;Andreas Syggros&#8221; Hospital<br \/>\nBoard Member, Hellenic Society of Dermatology and Venereology (HSVD)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sunlight is a source of life and well-being. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation carries significant risks, as it damages skin cells \u2014 ranging from sunburns to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Overexposure during childhood accelerates the appearance of such damage, since children&#8217;s skin is thinner, more sensitive, and produces less melanin, making it more vulnerable to UV radiation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20689 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_1937627782-min-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"831\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_1937627782-min-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_1937627782-min-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_1937627782-min-1536x1037.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_1937627782-min-2048x1382.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 831px) 100vw, 831px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Although modern lifestyles and beauty standards often glorify sun-kissed skin, it is vital to remember that <strong>skin cancer concerns us all<\/strong>. It is the most common form of cancer and its primary cause is <strong>unprotected, excessive sun exposure<\/strong>. The good news is that skin cancer is <strong>largely preventable and, if detected early, treatable<\/strong>. All it takes is regular sun protection and frequent monitoring for suspicious skin changes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who Is at Greater Risk?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>People with fair skin who burn easily.<\/li>\n<li>Those with a history of childhood sunburns.<\/li>\n<li>Individuals with prolonged sun exposure (due to work or leisure activities).<\/li>\n<li>Those with intense sun exposure during vacations.<\/li>\n<li>People who engage in sunbathing.<\/li>\n<li>Individuals with more than 50 moles on their skin.<\/li>\n<li>Those with a family history of skin cancer.<\/li>\n<li>People over the age of 50.<\/li>\n<li>Organ transplant recipients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While <strong>skin cancer is everyone&#8217;s concern<\/strong>, prevention is both <strong>possible and essential<\/strong>. The key lies in three simple steps:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 1: PRIMARY PREVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid excessive sun exposure.<\/strong> Seek shade and avoid the sun between <strong>11 a.m. and 4 p.m.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Wear protective clothing<\/strong> \u2014 preferably dark, long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective sunglasses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use sunscreen<\/strong> with a <strong>high SPF (SPF &gt;30)<\/strong> offering <strong>UVA and UVB protection<\/strong>. Sunscreen becomes effective <strong>30 minutes after application<\/strong> and lasts for <strong>2\u20133 hours<\/strong>, so reapplication is necessary. Remember: sunscreen is not just for the beach \u2014 <strong>use it year-round<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For infants under 6 months old<\/strong>, direct sun exposure should be avoided entirely. Sunscreen use is generally <strong>not recommended<\/strong> unless absolutely necessary and only for small areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For children over 6 months<\/strong>, prefer sunscreens containing <strong>zinc oxide or titanium dioxide<\/strong>, as they are less irritating for sensitive skin. In addition to sunscreen, dress children in <strong>tightly woven clothing<\/strong>, wide-brimmed hats, and <strong>UV-protective sunglasses<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 2: SELF-EXAMINATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Perform a thorough self-check <strong>once a month<\/strong> to monitor for any changes in existing moles or the appearance of new lesions. Examine your entire body \u2014 front and back \u2014 with extra attention to sun-exposed areas. Use a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror to inspect hard-to-see places.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 3: REGULAR DERMATOLOGICAL VISITS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Schedule an annual <strong>dermatological screening<\/strong>. In addition, visit your dermatologist if you notice any moles or skin lesions that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Change in size, color, and\/or shape.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Look different from other moles.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Are asymmetrical or have irregular borders.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Exhibit multiple colors.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Bleed easily.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Have a shiny surface.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Resemble a sore that won\u2019t heal.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Feel rough to the touch.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sunshine is not our enemy \u2014 but it demands <strong>respect and precaution<\/strong>. Education from a young age, along with primary and secondary prevention, is the key to healthy skin. Let us not forget that <strong>skin cancer is the most common form of cancer<\/strong>, yet it is one that can be <strong>prevented or successfully treated if diagnosed early<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Just three steps:<br \/>\n\u2705 <strong>Protect yourself from the sun<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2705 <strong>Check your skin regularly<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2705 <strong>Visit your dermatologist<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This way, we can all enjoy our sun-drenched country <strong>safely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Greek Summer, Sunshine, and UV Radiation: How Can I Protect My Skin? Maria Politou Dermatologist-Venereologist Senior Registrar, 1st University Dermatology Clinic, &#8220;Andreas Syggros&#8221; Hospital Board Member, Hellenic Society of Dermatology and Venereology (HSVD) &nbsp; &nbsp; Sunlight is a source of life and well-being. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation carries significant risks, as it&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68,119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ygia-en","category-thematikos-tourismos-2-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20693"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20696,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20693\/revisions\/20696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}