The sun is both our best friend and our worst enemy. It's essential to life and good for our health, but without a few precautions and good attitudes, its effects can become dangerous.
Simple, effective steps to protect yourself
The positive effects of the sun are undeniable: it provides vitamin D, improves morale and general well-being... However, the negative effects should not be overlooked: increased risk of skin cancers, some of which are very aggressive, photoaging of the skin, solar allergies.
Here are a few prevention tips:
Avoid the sun between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
It's in the middle of the day (in mainland France, from May to the end of August) that the sun's rays are most intense, and therefore most dangerous. It's best to seek shade for all outdoor activities in summer.
It's essential to avoid sunburn.
ATTENTION!
> At the beach: parasols are useful, but they don't provide complete protection from the sun's rays.
> If you work outdoors: be careful not to leave your skin unprotected.
> Tanning booths: avoid exposure to artificial UV rays.
Wear a T-shirt, glasses, cap or hat
Clothing is a real barrier, providing the best protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. We recommend :
- Wear clothing that limits exposure of the body (long-sleeved tops, light pants, etc.);
- Protect your eyes, face and neck with a wide-brimmed hat;
- wear wraparound sunglasses with UV filters (CE standard, category 3 or 4).
Apply sunscreen regularly
Sunscreen should be applied to all parts of the body not covered by clothing.
Preferably use a sun cream with a high protection factor: factor 30 or 50.
Any cream with a factor of less than 30 has no protective effect, and is therefore of no use.
To guarantee the effectiveness of the protection, reapply every 2 hours and after each swim.
ATTENTION!
Just because you put on sunscreen doesn't mean you can expose yourself for longer, or at times when UV rays are most intense.
The one and only total screen is clothing.
Protecting children is essential!
Until puberty, skin and eyes are fragile and more sensitive to UV rays. That's why :
- Children aged between 0 and 3 should not be exposed to the sun.
- Children and teenagers should protect themselves by wearing: clothing, a hat, sunglasses and suncare products.
Sunburn and repeated exposure during childhood are a major cause of skin cancer in adulthood.
Risks of skin cancer
The risks apply to everyone. However, we are not all equal when it comes to the sun.
You need to be especially careful and protect yourself if...
You have had :
- Sunburn during childhood and/or adolescence and/or prolonged exposure to the sun.
You have :
- A family history of skin cancer,
- Fair skin, light eyes, red or blond hair (Your phototype)
- Moles (over 50)
- Medical treatment or medication that can make you "photosensitive", i.e. more sensitive to sunburn.
What's your phototype?
Knowing your phototype allows you to measure your level of risk from the sun.
The lower your phototype, the more you need to protect yourself from the sun.
| Phototype I | Very white skin, blond or red hair, blue/green eyes - You never tan and sunburn very easily. |
| Phototype II | Fair skin, blond, red or chestnut hair, green/brown eyes - You barely tan and sunburn easily. |
| Phototype III | > A: fair skin, light or brown hair, light eyes - You can get sunburnt and you tan gradually. >B: moderately fair skin, brown or brown hair, brown eyes - You occasionally get sunburnt and you tan. |
| Phototype IV | Matte skin, you tan easily without sunburn. |
| Phototype V | Very dark, matte skin. |
Links between cancer and UV
In the sun, we are exposed to two types of UV rays:
- UVA: capable of penetrating deep into the skin. They are responsible for skin aging (photoaging).
- UVB: the main cause of sunburn. They are almost 1,000 times more powerful than UVA rays.
A "UV index" is used to measure the intensity of this radiation: the higher it is, the greater the need to protect oneself from the sun and not to stay in it for too long, even under cloudy skies or in fog.
Long, intense exposure to UV rays attacks skin cells and can cause irreversible damage.
The number of cases of melanoma has almost multiplied by 5 in less than 30 years.
+ 80% of skin cancers are linked to excessive sun exposure.
(source: IARC 2018)
We now know that both UVA (photoaging) and UVB (sunburn) increase the risk of two skin cancers:
- Cutaneous carcinomas are the most common.
They take the form of a small pimple or white crust. They are most often the result of constant exposure to the sun over a lifetime. In most cases, they can be operated on. - Cutaneous melanomas are far more serious.
These malignant tumors most often resemble moles, but with abnormal shapes or colors, and can rapidly metastasize.
90% of skin cancers can be cured if detected early
(Source: INCa)
Skin cancer screening
Once a year, we recommend that you have your skin examined by a dermatologist.
If you detect an abnormality :
- a mole that changes shape, size, color or thickness
- a spot or any change in your skin
- a pimple that won't heal.
Contact your GP or dermatologist.