How to enjoy the sun without putting your skin at risk?

How does solar radiation function?

The sun emits infinite light rays of various wavelengths, from the shortest to the longest. It also emits cosmic rays, gamma rays, X rays, ultraviolet (UV) rays (including UVC, UVB and UVA rays), visible radiation, infrared radiation (IR) and radio waves.

The most dangerous part of a solar ray is filtered by the atmosphere. Two-thirds of this ray reach the earth. Cosmic rays, gamma rays, X rays and UVC rays, incompatible with life, do not reach its surface. The rays that make their way to us (UVB, UVA, visible and infrared rays) influence the body. Infrared rays give off heat; these rays make skin feel hot, as opposed to UVB and UVA rays that are invisible and cold but still have a large biological effect.

Why is sun protection necessary?

Solar radiation has destructive effects on the skin that range from solar erythema (sunburn) to accelerated skin ageing and skin cancer. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, which is radiation’s most serious consequence. But you must also keep in mind that there are other risks, such as heat stroke, sun stroke, photosensitivity, ophthalmia and sun allergy.

• The epidermis stops 85% of UVB rays; only 15% reach the dermis.

The quantity of UVB rays depends on the season, latitude, time of day and altitude. These are the rays that cause tanning and sunburn, which is the skin’s natural alarm indicating it’s receiving too many UVB rays. UVB rays have a carcinogenic effect over the long-term. .

• UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin; nearly 50% of them reach the dermis.

The sun emits these rays year round and they pass through clouds and windows. They are responsible for skin ageing (photoageing) and cause free radicals to form. These molecules attack cell structures and DNA. They have a carcinogenic effect, but to a lesser degree than UVB rays.

UV radiation depends on what part of the earth it hits

Different areas diffuse varying amounts:

• Snow reflects 80% of UV rays, sand 15% and water 25%.
• Even 40 cm below water, UV radiation exposure is still about 40% of what it would be on the surface.

UVA and UVB rays cause skin cancer because they weaken the skin’s immune defenses, triggering significant oxidative stress and creating lesions on the DNA that can cause cancer cells to appear.

How does tanning work?

Tanning is mainly triggered by UVB rays under the “natural” sun. It is a way for the skin to adapt and defend itself against the sun, but is not a total shield. Being tanned often provides protection from sunburn but should not encourage excessive exposure, which has long-term effects (skin cancers in particular). 

Exposure to the sun activates melanocytes, which produce melanin to protect themselves from the sun. Melanin migrates towards the skin’s surface. At the same time, the skin thickens (through an increase in horny layer thickness), which is an additional protective factor along with pigmentation. Remember that UVA rays trigger immediate pigmentation that only lasts a few hours. This is not a tan, but oxidation that becomes visible right after sun exposure. UVB rays are the only ones responsible for a real tan, which begins to develop two to three days after exposure and reaches its maximum three weeks after this exposure. 

What effect does the sun have on ageing?

According to experts*, 80% of facial ageing is caused by sun exposure! The ageing linked to this exposure is called photoageing.

Its signs include deep wrinkles, pigment spots, and telangiectasias (visible dilation of small blood vessels below the skin). This type of accelerated ageing affects all frequently-exposed areas, such as the face, back, hands, forearms and décolleté. UVB and UVA rays drastically alter skin cells, destroy collagen and elastin, and can cause cancerous tumours to develop.

There are so many good reasons for adopting common-sense habits to deal with the sun and protect yourself whenever you are exposed.

*Gilchrest BA et al, Effect of chronologic aging and photoaging: an overview., J Am Acad Dermatol, 1989; 21(3 Pt 2): 610-3

What should I do? 

• Avoid exposure when the sun’s rays are the most intense. The higher the sun is in the sky, the stronger its ultraviolet rays are. In the summer, this period runs from 11 am to 4 pm in western Europe.
  
  
• Do not stay in the sun for a long time on the pretext you have applied sun protection with a high protection factor. The aim of these products is not to increase the number of hours you are exposed but to reduce risks during exposure.
  
  
• More generally, it is best not to stay at the beach all day long.
  
  
• Use full-coverage sunglasses with a high anti-UV index, a wide-brimmed hat and loose-fitting clothing that is long if possible (long-sleeved t-shirt and Bermuda shorts or trousers). Remember that clothing, especially dark-coloured clothing, is the best way to protect yourself.
  
  
• If it is hot outside, protect your child from both heat stroke and sunburn. Make sure he or she drinks water frequently.
  
  
• Do not trust your impressions. Given that infrared rays cause sensations of heat and not UV rays, you can absolutely get a sunburn without feeling you have been over-exposed (for example, when you are on a boat or outside on a cloudy summer day).
  
  
• In the mountains, there are risks even when temperatures are very low. In fact, the shield offered by the atmosphere decreases due to altitude and so the sun is more aggressive (the amount of UVB rays that reach the skin increases by 4% every 300 metres). In addition, the glare on the snow considerably increases the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the skin (snow can reflect 80% of UV rays).
  
  
• Don’t be tricked by wind and water: they suppress warning signals triggered by infrared rays by reducing heating sensations, but the UV rays are still there!
  
  
• A grey sky does not mean you should be less careful in relation to the sun. Indeed, many more UV rays pass through clouds than infrared rays and visible light. This may make the day cooler and less bright but it does not mean the risks related to ultraviolet radiation are reduced.
  
  
• Prefer the shade to the sun, but be aware that this is not guaranteed protection. The shade does indeed provide protection from direct solar radiation but not from solar radiation reflected by the ground (grass reflects 3% of the UV rays that reach it, sand 5 to 25%, snow 30 to 80% and water 5 to 90%) or from solar radiation diffused by particles suspended in the atmosphere (at noon, 30 to 50% of the UV rays received are due to radiation diffused by atmospheric molecules).
  
  
• Never expose yourself after applying fragrance or when taking certain medicines without asking your doctor or pharmacist for advice.