The Dangers of Sun Exposure and How to Protect Yourself

For the majority of people, the arrival of summer is synonymous with vacations, beaches, swimming, and sunbathing. But there are factors to consider if you want to stay healthy.

The Essential Concept of Solar Capital

Our skin has a memory, and this is what we call solar capital. It is established genetically from birth and once exhausted, it is no longer renewed. This means that when you spend your capital, you will never be able to restore it in your entire life.

Imagine a young child, Lucas, who loves playing outside in the sun. Every sunburn he gets, every unprotected exposure will count. Even 40 years later, he will still have the after-effects of his past sunburn, even though they are often invisible.
When this capital is exhausted, the risk of developing cancers, experiencing various skin problems, spots, and a new inability to tan will be almost systematic.

Understanding the Harmful Effects of the Sun

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, an invisible threat that can cause cumulative damage to our skin. Over time, this damage can lead to premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, age spots, and in more severe cases, skin diseases such as melanoma. Tanning is aesthetic, but remember that it is mainly an adaptation of your body to an attack. Except that at some point, your body does not have enough adaptation capacity and defenses. In this case, it is damaged.

Protect Yourself Effectively from the Sun

Protecting your skin is essential in summer. See it as an exponential positive impact in the long term. The more you protect yourself, the less likely you will have serious consequences for yourself.
The first line of defense against the harmful effects of the sun is high-quality sunscreen. Sun protection ratings, or SPF, indicate the level of protection a sunscreen provides against UVB. An SPF 30 rating means you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than with unprotected skin. SPF 50 provides even stronger protection.
Don't forget to reapply the cream every two hours (at least) and after swimming or sweating (even for waterproof creams)

In addition to sunscreen, other methods of protection include wearing UV protective clothing.
It is also imperative to protect your eyes. Prolonged exposure to very intense light can cause long-term damage.
It's also best to seek shade during the hottest hours of the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Sun and Children: Special Attention

Children, like little Lucas, are particularly vulnerable to UV rays because of their thinner and more sensitive skin. It is therefore crucial to protect them by applying children's sunscreen, dressing them in protective clothing and limiting their time exposed to the sun. To find good quality creams, go directly to a pharmacy, so you will be certain of the quality and effectiveness of the cream.

Vigilance and Screening

Vigilance is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Regular skin self-examinations and periodic medical check-ups are essential to detect early signs of skin problems. If you see spots appearing, or unusual moles, consult a doctor.

Take care!

The sun plays a crucial role in our well-being, but unregulated sun exposure can be detrimental. A better understanding of the associated dangers, including sun depletion, and diligent practice of sun protection, can help you enjoy the sun responsibly and maintain healthy skin. We hope that this article will make you more aware of the dangers of reckless sun exposure.

Remember: A tan is temporary, but the effects on our skin last a lifetime.