At the dawn of summer, supermarkets fill up with sunscreens. Index, logo, skin color … A few tips for choosing the right protection.
Seven out of ten French people regularly use protection against the sun’s rays. With summer approaching, supermarket shelves are filled with creams, oils and sprays from different brands.
But between the commercial arguments and those that are regulated, it can be difficult to navigate. Why actor takes stock of key information when choosing sunscreen.
Several types of skin
Before choosing your cream, it is necessary to understand why protection from the sun is necessary. The star emits several types of radiation, some of which are dangerous for the skin.
UVA and UVB rays, for example, are the cause of sunburn. They penetrate the skin and can then cause damage to cells and DNA. This is how skin cancers develop. So-called infrared radiation is also dangerous because it penetrates the skin even deeper.
Depending on the phototype, the vulnerability to the sun is more or less strong. Type 1 people, with milky white skin and difficult to tan, should be especially careful. Those of phototype 4, which take colors easily in the sun and burn little, can apply the cream less often.
Source : National Medicines Safety Agency
A clue and a logo to watch out for
This information is important because it allows you to adapt your sun protection. The most sensitive skin will therefore have to choose very high protection. This translates into two elements: the sun protection factor (SPF), in the form of an index, and the UVA filters, in the form of a logo.
The SPF index expresses the multiplication factor of the time that elapses before the onset of sunburn. For a fair-skinned individual, it takes 10 minutes for the skin to turn red. An index of 15 therefore gives protection for 150 minutes. The UVA filter is also regulated: it must correspond, at least, to one third of the SPF. The “UVA” symbol is then circled.
Frequent renewals
The phototype also allows to know when to renew the application of its cream, according to the index and the type of sunshine. The lighter the skin, the more frequently the sunscreen should be applied.
In general, it is recommended to add cream every two hours and after each bath, in a swimming pool or in salt water. The national union of dermatologists-venereologists (SNDV) further recommends that you wipe dry after each swim, in order to avoid the reflective effect of water droplets.
Favor clothes
But sunscreens aren’t everything, which is why additional protective measures are strongly recommended. The French are therefore invited not to expose themselves to the sun’s rays between 12 and 4 p.m., and not to sunbathe for more than an hour a day. Beyond this limit, the melanocytes will not produce more pigments, and the tan will therefore not be more intense.
It is necessary to be particularly careful in case of cloud cover or cool wind: the risk of sunburn is higher because the sensation of heat is reduced. Finally, wearing clothes to protect yourself from the sun is preferable, which includes a cap and glasses.
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