Sun exposure puts you at risk of sunburn, as well as the long-term dangers of premature ageing and skin cancer. To stay safe in the sun, seek shade between 11 am and 3 pm, wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses. In addition to these measures, generously apply broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen every 2 hours to any area of exposed skin.
Some sunscreens can cause unpleasant stinging sensations on sensitive skin. Opt for broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection that is tested on the most sensitive skin, such as the ANTHELIOS range from the sensitive skin specialist brand La Roche-Posay. All ANTHELIOS products integrate naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water to soothe sensitive skin.
Absolutely not! Spray tans react with dead cells at skin’s surface to “dye” the skin. This has no bearing whatsoever on the skin’s defences against the sun. Spray tanning is much safer than conventional tanning, but you must continue to protect your skin from the sun after a spray tan using broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen.
Dermatologists recommend wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing as well as seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest. But sunscreen is at the core of sun protection strategies and cannot be omitted from your routine. ANTHELIOS sunscreens undergo rigorous testing on even the most sensitive skin to ensure total safety.
To avoid premature ageing or skin cancer, it is important to use daily facial sunscreen. This is all the more important if you are pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pill, as this puts you at risk of “pregnancy mask.” Choose a texture that best suits your skin such as a comfort cream for dry skin, a non-comedogenic gel for oily skin or a fresh mist if you like rubbing cream in.
SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It relates to your sunscreen’s ability to protect skin against UVB rays which cause burning. The higher the number, the greater the protection. When in the sun, you are recommended to apply a minimum of SPF 30 every 2 hours. A golfball-sized amount is required for the whole body.
Below you’ll find a dedicated article that explains the varying effects of these different types of UV on skin - sunburn, ageing and increased skin cancer risk - as well as how to understand the labels on sun products and pick out protection you can rely on.
For a more in-depth look at what happens to skin in the sun, you will find a quick guide to the short- and long-term effects of sun exposure (sun allergy, acne, photosensitivity…).
Empowered by all this knowledge, you’ll be ready to discover our recommended best practices to keep you and your family’s skin safe, plus information on the importance of daily protection, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Why is the sun dangerous? UVA and UVB rays trigger changes at the heart of our cells leading to DNA damage. In the long term, this damage can cause skin cancer.
Although talking about cancer is always scary, 90% of skin cancers are curable if detected in time*. And, crucially, skin cancer highly preventable with the right sun protection.
*www.euromelanoma.org/press, EPI factsheet 2014
"When it comes to the dangers of the sun, some people are in a higher risk group. This includes people with a fair phototype (light eyes, skin and hair), people with a large number of moles and/or a family history of skin cancer, people who suffered 5 or more blistering sunburns under the age of 20, and those who regularly use tanning booths. "
If you are in a high-risk group, mole-checking is something you should do on a regular basis – Remember, 90% of skin cancers are curable if detected in time*.
* www.euromelanoma.org/press, EPI factsheet 2014
Recognised by dermatologists, the ABCDE method is helpful in identifying suspect lesions with the naked eye.
Red flags to keep a careful eye out for include:
In this section, you will discover the must-knows of skin cancer prevention: How to stay safe in the sun, what sun protection products to use and how often. You will also find detailed information on how to use the ABCDE method as a mole-screening tool, plus handy sun protection tips to make sure every inch of skin is protected.
The ABCDE rule is a very simple method to remember the main characteristis of melanoma. The letter “A” stands for Asymmetry, so we have to look at the shape of the lesion in order to understand if the lesion is a very regular, oval, roundish lesion or is very irregularly shaped.This is the meaning asymmetry ""B"" stands for Border irregularity so when we have an outline of the lesion which is very irregular in terms of border “C” stands for Colour and the colour in melanoma is very frequently highly dis-homogeneous it means we have a various combination of different colours light brown, dark brown, black grey or even white ""D"" stands for Diameter. Usually melanoma is a larger lesion as compared to the other nevi of the individual and usually melanoma is a lesion larger than 6mm but in my view the most important feature is summarized by the letter ""E"". ""E"" stands for Evolution. Evolution means that usually melanoma is a lesion which is changing over time, changing in shape,changing in border, changing in colour, changing in diameter So whatever lesion which is changing in any of these characteristics but especially growing over time is a lesion that should be checked by the dermatologist In summary A : asymmetry B : irregular border C : uneven color D : diameter (> 6mm) E : evolution over time
Just 5 sunburns before the age of 20 can increase the risk of melanoma by 80%*.
*Skin Cancer Foundation www.skincancer.org
Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.
