Free delivery on orders over €40
Free delivery on orders over €40
0
0
Illustration: Bronzage : comment prendre soin de sa peau au soleil ?

Tanning: how to take care of your skin in the sun?

Written by the Phytocea team Reviewed by Phytocea Scientific Advisory Board Editorial credit: Dr. Arnaud BERNARD
• • 6 min
Summarize with AI:

Tanning is often associated with healthy skin and a sun-kissed complexion. However, it's crucial to protect yourself from UV rays, which can cause long-term damage, such as premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. In this article, we'll explore the tanning process, its risks, how to protect yourself, and the foods to favor for skincare while tanning.

The mechanism of tanning and the effects of UV exposure

Tanning is a natural process of the skin to protect itself from UV rays. When skin is exposed to the sun, UV rays stimulate melanocytes, cells located in the epidermis, to produce melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives skin its color and acts as a natural barrier against UV rays. The more the skin is exposed to the sun, the more melanocytes produce, resulting in a darker complexion.

What is the link between sun exposure and vitamin D?

One positive aspect of UV exposure is the synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for bone mineralization, and a deficiency can lead to weakened bones, known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. A vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to osteoporosis, which is a loss of bone mineral density. In addition to its role in bone health, vitamin D is also important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Vitamin D is primarily synthesized in the skin when exposed to limited doses of UVB rays. It is important to protect oneself from the sun to avoid the risk of skin cancer, but adequate sun protection and sufficient vitamin D production are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

What are the risks associated with tanning and UV exposure?

While a tan may look attractive, it's important to protect yourself from UV rays to avoid long-term risks. UV rays can damage the skin's DNA, which can lead to mutations that may result in the development of cancer. In other words, UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. UV rays also cause premature skin aging, wrinkles, age spots, and a loss of elasticity.

It is important to note that the risks associated with tanning are not limited to sun exposure. UV rays can also be emitted by artificial sources such as tanning lamps. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using tanning lamps before the age of 35 increases the risk of skin cancer by 59%.

In short, a tan may look attractive, but it's important to protect yourself from UV rays to avoid long-term risks. UV rays can damage the skin's DNA, increasing the risk of skin cancer, as well as premature skin aging, wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity. Therefore, it's recommended to limit your exposure and protect yourself from UV rays.

UV tanning beds: artificial tanning to avoid

Exposure to UV radiation, whether natural or artificial, increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly melanoma. The use of tanning beds has been growing for many years. It is often mistakenly believed that this practice is risk-free.

Tanning beds use UVA radiation. Repeated exposure to UV rays (of any kind) leads to premature skin aging; this effect is more pronounced with UVA rays.

Exposure to UVA rays results in fewer sunburns, but DNA damage is still present. The absence of sunburn creates a false sense of security. UV exposure from tanning beds adds to the risk of sun exposure. The risk of developing melanoma is significantly increased: +15% from a single exposure to +59% with use before the age of 35.

For several years, health and safety agencies have been warning about the dangers of tanning beds. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the entire UV spectrum (UVA, UVB, UVC) as well as tanning devices as "carcinogenic to humans." Since 2005, ANSES (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) has recommended avoiding exposure to artificial UV radiation and has been lobbying public authorities for measures to reduce or eliminate exposure to artificial UV radiation.

How to protect yourself from the sun?

The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to limit your exposure to UV rays. It is recommended to stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day, wear protective clothing such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, and use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

What foods can help prepare the skin for tanning?

A healthy, balanced diet can help protect skin from UV damage and promote a healthy tan. Here are some foods to include in your diet:

  • Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is important for the production of collagen, a protein that keeps skin firm and elastic.

  • Red fruits: Red fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

  • Spinach: Spinach is rich in vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant for the skin. Vitamin E can help protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays.

  • Crustaceans: Crustaceans such as pink shrimp are rich in selenium, a mineral that can help protect the skin from UV rays and promote a healthy tan.

  • Oily fish: they provide omega-3 fatty acids which are useful for many bodily functions and are thought to contribute to a reduction in the risk of cancer.

Are dietary supplements helpful for tanning?

Tanning supplements are increasingly popular because they can help activate and prolong a tan naturally; however, their skin-protective effects are not proven. It is important to note that supplements are not a substitute for sunscreen and do not protect the skin from UV damage.

Tanning supplements often contain ingredients such as carotenoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, and copper. Carotenoids are natural pigments found in fruits and vegetables that can help protect the skin from UV damage. Vitamin C is important for the production of collagen, a protein that keeps skin firm and elastic. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant for the skin, which can help protect it from UV damage. Selenium and copper are minerals that can help protect the skin because they contribute to antioxidant defenses.

It is also possible to consume supplements that promote healthy skin and contain, in particular, silica for collagen production and zinc, which helps promote good skin quality.

Note that there are supplements rich in Beta-carotene for tanning; it is recommended, particularly for smokers, to avoid the consumption of such supplements which increase the risk of cancer.

Some supplements also use a particular carotenoid pigment: canthaxanthin. It contributes to skin pigmentation, but does not appear to protect against the risk of cancer. Its consumption should be moderate because excessive intake can lead to retinopathy.

Skin supplements at Phytocea

At Phytocea, we have developed ReGlow, specially formulated to promote healthy skin and contribute to strong nail and hair growth. Depending on individual needs, ReGlow can be combined with Omega+, providing an optimal intake of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, particularly rich in DHA.

ReGlow can be found in the Phytocea shop.

=== content-split ===

7884199395542

=== content-split ===

FAQ

How does tanning in a booth work?

In the booth, UVA rays are used. They penetrate deeply into the skin. They stimulate melanin synthesis but greatly increase the risk of skin cancer.

What are the benefits of tanning?

It helps to give a healthy glow and promotes the synthesis of vitamin D. However, it should not be overused and it is important to protect oneself properly from excessive UV rays.

Is it possible to tan safely?

It is possible to limit the risk by using sunscreens and avoiding the hours when UV radiation is too high.

Why are UV rays dangerous for the eyes?

UV rays cause premature aging of the eye and increase the risk of eye diseases. We will discuss this further in a dedicated article.

Why are health authorities considering banning UV tanning beds?

Exposure to artificial UV radiation significantly increases overall UV exposure and the risk of skin cancer. ANSES has issued an opinion on this subject (see below).

Sources

ANSES: Dangers of artificial tanning

ANSES: Opinion regarding exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation emitted by tanning beds

WHO: Artificial tanning equipment

Back to Health issues

FAQ

Pour une protection optimale, choisissez des crèmes solaires à large spectre, qui bloquent à la fois les rayons UVA et UVB. Optez pour un indice de protection solaire (IPS) d'au moins 30 et vérifiez que le produit est résistant à l'eau si vous prévoyez de nager ou de transpirer.

Surveillez les signes de rougeur ou de brûlure sur votre peau, qui indiquent une surexposition au soleil. Utilisez un écran solaire régulièrement et évitez de rester au soleil pendant les heures les plus chaudes, généralement entre 10h et 16h.

Consommez des aliments riches en antioxydants, comme les baies, les noix et les légumes verts, qui aident à réparer les dommages causés par les UV. Les aliments riches en acides gras oméga-3, comme le saumon et les graines de lin, peuvent également contribuer à apaiser et à hydrater la peau.

Oui, certaines huiles naturelles comme l'huile de noix de coco ou l'huile de karité offrent une protection solaire faible, mais elles ne remplacent pas une crème solaire à large spectre. Recherchez des produits contenant des ingrédients naturels comme le zinc ou le dioxyde de titane pour une meilleure protection.

Le bronzage peut entraîner des effets à long terme, tels que des rides précoces, des taches de vieillesse et un risque accru de cancer de la peau. C'est pourquoi il est important de prendre soin de votre peau et de limiter votre exposition au soleil.

Si vous avez la peau sensible, il est préférable de limiter votre exposition au soleil et d'utiliser des écrans solaires spécialement formulés pour les peaux sensibles. Recherchez des produits hypoallergéniques et sans parfum pour minimiser les irritations.

Utilisez des lotions après-soleil contenant de l'aloe vera ou de la vitamine E pour apaiser et hydrater la peau après l'exposition au soleil. Assurez-vous également de boire beaucoup d'eau pour hydrater votre peau de l'intérieur.

Les cabines de bronzage ne sont pas recommandées pour les peaux claires, car elles présentent un risque accru de brûlures et de dommages cutanés. Il est préférable d'éviter ces dispositifs et d'opter pour des méthodes de bronzage plus sûres.