This summer at the beach, are you using index 15, 30 or 50 sunscreen? While it is difficult to choose your protective filter without knowing your skin type, an application for iPhone and Android comes to your rescue. “Solar diagnosis” was initiated by the French Sun and Health Institute (IFSS) and allows everyone to learn about their sensitivity to UV rays. The designers explain that they want to help the general public to carry out a self-diagnosis to “identify an immediate contraindication to sun exposure”. To do this, we determine its phototype (its skin type) which indicates the ability of the skin to tan by answering a few questionnaires.
A fun app
But beware, if the tests are carried out by dermatologists and provide some advice for living with the sun this summer, they remain informative and not really personalized. They cannot replace the sound recommendations of a professional during a dermatological consultation.
Indeed, if the application tells you that your tanned skin is not afraid of the sun, you have to be careful. A dark phototype does not mean that your skin can do without sunscreen and even less that it can withstand UV rays.
Remember that the artificial UV rays of tanning booths are strongly discouraged (whatever your skin) and that to enjoy the sun safely you must:
-limit the duration of sun exposure during hot hours (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
– wear protective clothing (hat, sunglasses)
– take refuge in the shade when UV rays are too intense during hot hours
-renew your sunscreen every two hours or after swimming.
