SUNSCREEN: MANUAL

The sunscreen is made for additional exposure to the sun! Against aging skin and skin cancer, no secrets, limit exposure. Furthermore, no sun without protection cream, and definitely high index against 
the UVA and UVB . How to choose?

Sunscreen labeling to review

The labeling of sunscreens is not homogeneous. Each brand has its range of products including the degree of protection extends from index 6 to 60 or more up the sunscreen. Choose the protection that suits your skin type and exposure is extremely difficult because each laboratory uses its own criteria. Therefore, last year already, the French Agency for Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS) has asked manufacturers to harmonize labeling to facilitate comparison of creams . The Agency had also recommended to limit the classification of products into four categories and use the following instead of the index: protecting low average protection, high protection and very high protection.And finally, eliminate extreme indices, that is to say less than 6 and greater than 60, which offer no guarantee in terms of protection. But it is only today that the European Commission has decided to tackle this problem by proposing a meeting between experts and the cosmetic industry, which should lead to recommendations? by the end of the year to be applied from 2007. When we know that the cancer risks of UVA have been proven there is more than fifteen years, the harmonization process seems very late. But better late than never.

Double protection: against UVB and UVA

This committee will also work to standardize and enforce the associated protection against UVA and UVB . It is essential that this dual protection is clearly displayed on the sunscreen . While the UVB (like burning) is responsible for sunburn, we must protect ourselves, but it is equally the case with UVA (like age) who are more responsible for the accelerated aging of the skin. But ultimately, the UVB as UVA are involved in the risk of skin cancer.

Proper use of sunscreens

Pending new regulations for labeling of sunscreen , here are some tips. Choose a mandatory sunscreen posting a double protection against the UVA and UVB .To avoid tangling the pencils with the 60 clues, one can simply rely on the classification proposed by Afssaps:

• low protection: SPF of between 6 and 14
• Average Protection: SPF between 15 and 29,
• High protection: SPF between 30 and 59
• very high protection: SPF from 60.

Choose products index equal to or greater than 15. Reapply the sunscreenevery two hours or every hour in case of friction (sand, towel, etc.).. This recommendation should not lead to further expose the pretext that feels protected by sunscreen . It should limit exposure even if we apply a sunscreen , even if its degree of protection is high. Indeed, the protection factor UVB sunscreen products is still far higher degree of protection UVA and increased exposure times may lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and skin aging. Limit exposure when the sun is at its zenith (12-16 hours), even if we apply a sunscreen . Never have a child under one year in the sun. Children and adolescents, no sunburn: sunburns received during childhood and adolescence represent a major risk factor for skin cancer in adulthood. Avoiding UV artificial because they combine the UV natural. Wear wide-brimmed hat to protect eyes, face and neck. Wear wraparound sunglasses that filtration is consistent with the recommendations of the European Commission (types 1, 2 or 3). Please note, type 4, recommended during strong sunlight, is not compatible with driving!