Sunscreen is our great summer ally and is essential along with good sunglasses and a nice hat. People are becoming more educated about the damage caused by sun exposure and are less tempted to do without sun care. However, certain preconceived ideas persist! Here are some myths that we must definitely forget to increasingly prevent the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. These are things you absolutely need to know before exposing yourself.
Misconception 1: You don’t get sunburned if there are clouds, shade or water.
This belief is as false as it is dangerous… These elements do not stop UV rays and because of the fresh effect they provide, we are even less wary and therefore we expose ourselves even longer, which greatly harms the skin. Sunscreen with UV filters (chemical filters or mineral filters) remains necessary for skin protected from sun exposure! Additionally, it should be noted that sand, snow and even grass can reflect UV raysthus increasing indirect exposure. We must therefore be all the more careful.
Misconception 2: I can get a sunburn even hidden behind a window.
In fact, glass allows stopper les UVB who are at the origin! On the other hand, UVA rays continue to pass through. However, they are the cause of skin aging. Additionally, it does not prevent skin cancer. You must therefore protect your skin from the sun with sun products offering optimal protection, if only to avoid premature aging. Some types of windows, such as car windows, can be treated to block some UVA, but it is always better to check the specific protection of each window to have peace of mind.
Misconception 3: Fortunately, my sunburn will turn into a tan.
If you tan without sunburn, the tan will be longer lasting and much more beautiful ! In fact, the sunburn burns the skin and creates pigmentation which will disappear very quickly when the skin peels. Note that if your skin is peeling, you should avoid exfoliating it so as not to further refine it. Remember to protect it and hydrate it and nourish it even more (moisturizing body cream, shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, etc.) since it is even finer.
Received idea 4: To avoid risking anything, simply opt for a high protection index.
Certainly, the high index is a source of high protection, but it must be applied correctly! This means that not only must apply the right dose (the equivalent of a ping-pong ball for an adult), but also put it back on after sweating a lot or swimming. Also note that after two hours on the skin, the protection no longer takes effect. You should therefore remember to renew the application. Furthermore, take care to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. Finally, even with high protection, other measures such as seeking shade, avoiding exposure to times when the sun is at its peak (i.e. from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and wearing protective clothing and a hat and sunglasses remain crucial.
Misconception 5: Makeup protects me from the sun.
Makeup products do not protect you from UV rays at all even if they include sun protection. Sun protection in makeup is only a marketing argument, because to benefit from the protective effects of your foundation for example, you would have to apply at least 1 ml to the face… a huge quantity which would easily cover several faces! Proof of this is with professional makeup artist Wayne Goss who explains it in one of his videos by applying the layer of foundation mentioned… Ripolin effect guaranteed! In addition, we rarely reapply these products during the day whereas sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.
Good to know: There are tinted sunscreens specifically formulated to offer real sun protection in addition to the cosmetic effect. So, no white mask and you can even out the skin without having to multiply suffocating layers (sunscreen, then foundation)! Generally, the coverage is light, but it is enough to perfect the complexion without overdoing it.
Misconception 6: I have some sunscreen left from last summer, I can use it without fear.
Even if the bottle indicates that you can keep the cream for twelve months, sunscreen cannot be kept never more than six months if you want to have the guarantee that the solar filters will always be as effective. With time and heat, the product deteriorates very quickly. Do not hesitate to also check the expiration date, but also the smell and appearance of the product. A sunscreen that has changed color or consistency may be ineffective or irritating. So, even if you haven’t had it for a long time, it’s better to change it. To avoid wasting anything, you can easily recycle it!
Misconception 7: I have dark skin or I’m well tanned, so I don’t risk anything!
Dark skin types are not not safe from sun damage even if they need stronger radiation and more prolonged exposure than for fair skin to feel the effects and get sunburned. In addition, tanning only provides very little protection from UV raysbut since people don’t know this, they pay less attention to the end of the vacation, which explains why they often get sunburned when the vacation ends. For the same reasons, it is necessary definitely stop believing that doing UV protects from the sun : this is completely false and tanning beds are dangerous for the skin!
Finally, although the prevalence of melanoma is certainly lower in dark skin, its prognosis remains much less favorable with a lower five-year survival rate in dark skin. For dark skin (phototype 4), a medium or high protection sunscreen is still required. Dark and black skin (phototypes 5 and 6) can be satisfied with a medium to weak protection cream.
Misconception 8: If the sunburn is not visible, it is not serious.
First of all, a sunburn can sometimes become visible after a few hours and even if you don’t see it right away, the characteristic feeling of heat is there right away! And even if the sunburn is barely visible, it remains a burn of the epidermis with all the associated harmful effects and damage to the dermis that lasts well afterward. In addition, over time, the skin’s ability to repair itself against UV rays becomes exhaustedwhich leaves room for precancerous lesions and melanomas. So remember that repeated sunburns, even slight ones, make you accumulate skin damage and can contribute to problems like actinic keratosis, a precancerous disease.
Misconception 9: Sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency.
Some people think that regular use of sunscreen could lead to vitamin D deficiency. In reality, this is not true. It is in fact possible to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D while using sunscreen, moderate exposure to the sun, or consuming foods rich in vitamin D or dietary supplements. However, note that taking supplements purchased in pharmacies or stores on your own initiative without a doctor’s advice is not recommended.
Misconception 10: sunscreens are dangerous for your health.
Some theories claim that chemical filters in sunscreen can be harmful. However, numerous studies have shown that the benefits of using sunscreen, including the prevention of skin cancer, far outweigh the potential risks. For those who remain concerned, there are nevertheless options based on mineral filters. It contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and with the improvement of formulations, these products now leave less white film on the skin and are lighter, therefore very pleasant to wear. In addition, sensitive skin sometimes tolerates them better.