The good weather arrives and with them tanned skin or ... sunburn. To avoid burning in your first days of vacation at the beach or in the mountains, dermatologist Laurence Netter reminds you of some rules to follow in Without appointment on Europe 1 Wednesday.
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Choose a suitable sunscreen
Sunscreen is chosen based on two criteria. First of all according to the phototype criterion, that is to say the color of one's skin and the ability of one's skin to tan. But also depending on the destination of his vacation. "If you go to the countryside, you do not choose the same screen as if you are going to climb Mont-Blanc", illustrates doctor Laurence Netter.
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Regarding the choice of sun indices, the dermatologist recommends applying an index 50 sun cream on his face in particular, and even on the rest of his body. "An index 20 does not protect at all, a little 30," she explains and "even a screen 50 does not fully protect". For adults, it is also a good idea to apply your sunscreen twenty minutes before going into the sun. On the beach, it is already too late. "Sunscreen does not prevent sunbathing, we just brown a little bit slower," she says. "The more slowly you brown, the less you burn your skin and the longer the tan will last."
Know how to expose yourself to the sun and react well in case of sunburn
For the dermatologist, it is very important to know how to be well exposed to the sun. Especially if you have very fair skin. "If you have a pale complexion and you are in the tropics, you should not go to the sun between noon and 4 pm because it is at this time that there is the most UV and that you burn the most. You have to prefer the morning and the end of the afternoon, "she recalls. As a general rule, it is better to stay in the shade when the sun is strong and expose yourself gradually so as not to burn your skin.
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In the event of sunburn, you must seek shade immediately, advises Dr. Laurence Netter. When you get home, you can use post-sun products, which contain a little anti-inflammatory, and apply healing products like Biafine. You also need to hydrate. And if the burn is too large, dermatologists can give cortisone. "After a sunburn, we cannot get back in the sun because we damaged its surface layer. So we will get a sunburn even faster by re-exposing ourselves," she warns.
Preparing your skin in the UV cabin: the false good idea
What protects us from UV rays, which are toxic, is tanning, supports the dermatologist. "Tanning is a defense reaction so that UVB rays are not too harmful." When you go to a UV booth, "it is 95% of UVA, which does not have the capacity to make real melanin," she explains. "Real melanin is synthesized by UVB, which also increases the thickness of the skin. This makes the skin more solid and more resistant to UVB," she summarizes.
Some people also take antioxidants to prepare their skin for the sun and better tan. Doctor Laurence Netter does not advise to take it but reminds that "no study has shown that it increases tanning or that it decreases cancer. She advises rather to eat well and eat" colored products , red and orange, rich in beta carotene ".