If you think back to summer vacations from a few decades ago, you’ll probably remember a simple pack – a suitcase, a few bathing suits, a towel and maybe some suntan oil. Today, going to the beach is almost unthinkable without sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a search for shade.
Applications on phones warn about the UV index every day, and doctors advise to avoid being in the sun during the hottest part of the day. However, the generations who vacationed in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s lived in a completely different time.
They stayed on the beaches for hours, often from morning to evening. Sunscreen was rarely used, and many applied it only when the skin was already red.
Why was it like that?
A tan was a symbol of a successful vacation
After the Second World War, a dark complexion became a symbol of the good life. Returning from the sea without a tan meant for many that the holiday was not “successful”.
Instead of protective creams, various oils were used that accelerated the darkening of the skin. Sunburn was considered an almost inevitable part of summer vacations.
Less was known about the dangers of UV radiation
A few decades ago, awareness of the harmful effects of solar radiation was much lower than it is today. The link between long-term exposure to UV rays and an increased risk of skin cancer was not well known to the general public.
In addition, SPF products as we know them today were not widely available. Creams with SPF protection and protection from UVA and UVB rays became common only at the end of the last century.
Today, more attention is paid to protection
Modern research has shown that skin damage caused by UV radiation accumulates throughout life, which is why experts recommend regular use of creams with a protective factor, especially during the summer.
In addition, climate change has brought more frequent and intense heat waves, so periods with a very high UV index are more common today than before.
Our parents did not avoid protection because they were irresponsible, but because the knowledge and recommendations at that time were not the same as today. Today we know much more about the harmful effects of UV radiation, which is why skin protection has become an important part of every stay in the sun.
