Taking care of your skin in the sun.

Indeed, it is pleasant to stroll under a sunny and cloudless sky. However, this seemingly mundane activity is not without consequence for the skin. The sun is indeed a significant emitter of UV rays, which have a harmful effect on the skin. They can indeed promote hyperpigmentation, skin sagging, but also cause sunburn or skin cancers. These discomforts are caused by the generation of excess free radicals.

These species denature the fatty acids of our cell membranes, which can potentially damage them. Moreover, they attack DNA, which can lead to mutations and the formation of cancerous cells. Finally, free radicals are also responsible for the denaturation and loss of function of certain proteins, such as the collagen and elastin, fibrous proteins of the dermis that contribute to the structure, suppleness, and elasticity of the skin.

In order to enjoy the sun without risking your skin, we recommend adopting the following practices and precautions.

• Avoid any direct exposure between 12pm and 4pm. Indeed, it is during this period of the day that UV rays are most intense.

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, that is, one that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, with a protection factor chosen according to your skin type and sensitivity on all exposed areas not protected by your clothing. It is important to choose a cream with a minimum SPF of 30, in order to have sufficient protection.

• Clouds, parasols, and windows can allow approximately 80% of UV rays to pass through. Therefore, do not forget to use sun protection, even if the sky is overcast or if you are in a car.

• Apply sun care product in sufficient quantity, that is 2 mg per cm2 of skin to achieve the protection factor value indicated on the label, even on the back of the ears, the nape... these areas are often overlooked.

• Reapply the sun care product every two hours and, if you go swimming, immediately after getting out of the water and drying off.

• Protect yourself with covering clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt and long canvas trousers, even after applying sunscreen. Do not hesitate to wear a broad-brimmed hat or a cap, this will also protect you from potential headaches or sunstroke that can develop following prolonged exposure.

• Opt for sunglasses that are capable of protecting you from UVA and UVB rays. This action will also be beneficial for your eyes, whose cornea can be burnt by the sun, causing irritations and itchiness in the process.

• To protect oneself from the sun, the simplest method is still to favour the shade as much as possible. This holds true even if you are at the beach, where we advise you to seek shelter under a parasol.

• Keep away from UV rays children under 3 years old. They are indeed more sensitive than adults to solar radiation and must be protected without fail.

• Drink water in sufficient quantities, at least 1.5 litres per day. The sun has a drying effect on the skin and alters the hydrolipidic film present on its surface, which acts as a protective shield against UV rays and dehydration.

• Avoid photosensitising medications, that is, those that increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun's rays. The main groups of medications likely to contain a photosensitising molecule are anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, anticancer drugs, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and isotretinoin.

• Invest in antioxidant treatments, such as vitamins A, C and E, resveratrol, ferulic acid... Antioxidants have a protective effect on the skin, as they neutralise the free radicals generated by UV rays through an electron donation.

• PUGLIESE P. The skin, free radicals, and oxidative stress. Dermatology Nursing (1995).