Preconceived ideas about sun exposure

Did you know that sun cream alone is not enough to protect your skin from the sun?

It's best to wear protective clothing (T-shirt, hat and sunglasses). Even the most effective suncare products don't filter out all UV rays, especially UVAs: there's no such thing as a "total" sunblock.

So beware of preconceived ideas

• You still need to protect yourself even when you're tanned

A tan is a natural "barrier" created by the skin to protect it from the sun. But this barrier is superficial and only filters a fraction of UV rays. Tanned skin is therefore less at risk of sunburn, but it does not protect against skin ageing and only partially limits the risk of cancer.

• The danger is not just sunburn

In the sun, we are exposed to two types of UV rays: UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which have no immediate visible effect but penetrate deep into the skin. Both UVA and UVB increase the risk of skin cancer.

• UV sessions do not prepare the skin for the sun

Artificial tanning does not have the same protective effect as natural tanning: it is not accompanied by a thickening of the skin.

• UV rays do not heat the skin

It's the infra-red rays that do the heating, and you don't necessarily realise they're there. Beware of false impressions of safety when it's cooler, cloudy, windy or after swimming. The UV index measures the intensity of the sun's rays: the higher it is (on a scale of 1 to 9), the greater the need for protection.

• Self-tanners and food supplements do not protect against the sun

They give you a tanned complexion but offer no protection, as they are often simply colouring agents (carotene). However, they are not carcinogenic.