SUN CARE


The sun
Friend or foe ?
A personalized
defense strategy...
the AVENE suncare line
How to choose the right sun protection ?
The 10 commandments
for safe suntanning...


The sun
Friend or foe ?

Without the sun, there would be no life. It plays a vital role in bone mineralization and hormonal synthesis, as well as affecting our mood. But the sun can also be harmful if we get too much of it. In order to live in harmony with the sun, we must know how to protect ourselves from overexposure.

 
Infrared (IR)
Warmth, well-being
Dehydratation,
heat stroke, sunstroke
Visible light Antidepressant, modulation of hormonal functions Skin aging
UVA Tanning Skin aging, wrinkles,
skin cancer
UVB

Tanning,
 synthesis of vitamin D,
prevents rickets

 Sunburn,
skin aging, skin cancer
 
 
A personalized
defense strategy...
 
KNOW YOUR PHOTOTYPE

We are not all equal under the sun.
It all depends on your "phototype". Your phototype is defined by the color of your skin and hair, your vulnerability to sunburn and your ability to tan.
These characteristics are determined by your genetic makeup.
THERE ARE 6 DIFFERENT BASIC PHOTOTYPES
Phototype
Hair color
Skin tone
Vulnerability to sunburn
Tanning
I
Red
Milky
Constant +++
None
II
Blond
Fair
Constant ++
Slight
III
Light brown
Fair
Frequent
Light
IV
Brown
Olive
Rare
Dark
V
Dark brown
Olive
Exceptionnal
Very dark
VI
Black
Black
Never
Black

Now that you know your phototype, you can choose the most suitable sun protection for you individual "sensitivity".
Remember that you must also consider the intensity of sunlight and the conditions of exposure. (At high altitudes, the quantity of UV rays increases by 4 % every 300 meters.)
Keep in mind that sunlight and UV rays can reach your skin indirectly by reflecting off various surfaces.
It is even possible to get a sunburn under a beach umbrella or on a cloudy day.

UV REFLECTION
SNOW 85%
GRASS 10%
WATER 20%
SAND 15-25%
 
 
The AVENE suncare line
How to choose the right sun protection ?
 
Avene Dermatological Laboratoires offer you an extensive suncare line adapted to each type of skin :

  Type de peau
Conditions of exposure
Fair phototypes
Darker phototypes

Allergy-prone skin
Babies, children
(no sun exposure for children under 3 years of age)

Normal conditions of exposure
. first few days of exposure

. After several days in the sun







Extremes conditions
sea, mountains,
tropics
 

MPI-SORB
Organo-minéral sunscreen
An exclusive combination of mineral sunscreens
(titanium dioxide and zinc oxide)
and micronized organic sunscreen
(Tinosorb M)
cinnamate

MPI
100% mineral sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide)
No chemical sunscreen
PHOTOPROTECTIVE INGREDIENTS
 


The 10 commandments
for safe suntanning...
   I
Apply your sun care products before you go out, starting in the morning. Re-apply frequently, especially after swimming.
II
Do not stay out in the sun for more than 45 minutes per day (20 minutes under intense sun) on your first days of exposure. Beyond this limit, the melanocytes are saturated and stop producing melanin.
Build up your exposure time gradually, always protecting yourself with a sunscreen.
III
Avoid sun exposure between noon and 4 p.m. Sun radiation is at its maximum intensity during this period.
IV
Children under 3 should not be exposed to intense sun. During periods of less intense sunlight, make sure that children have maximum sun protection in order to preserve their "sun capital" as long as possible.
In fact, the skin retains a "memory" of all the sun radiation it receives during childhood.
The higher the dose, the greater the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult.
More informations ...
V
Keep in mind that you don't have to be at the beach or swimming pool in order to get a sunburn.
No matter what you do outdoors - bicycling, hiking in the country, strolling city streets, gardening, etc. - remember to protect yourself from sunlight.
VI
Be wary of conditions which pose an additional risk or give a false sense of safety: high altitudes, slight cloud cover, reflected sun (snow, sand, water), a cool breeze.
VII
Wear a hat and choose sunglasses which provide certified UVA and UVB protection. Protect children with a dry, opaque T-shirt. A wet T-shirt does not block UV rays.
VIII
Dry well after each swim. The "magnifying glass" effect of water drops is conducive to sunburn and reduces the effectiveness of the products even if they are water-resistant.
IX
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. The sun dehydrates the body deep down. Special care must be taken with older persons, who have a reduced sensation of thirst, and young children, who need large quantities of water and whose thermo-regulation systems are immature.
X
If you notice that a mole has changed shape, size or color, see your dermatologist immediately.
More informations ...
 

AVENE DERMATOLOGICAL LABORATORIES
are partner of



To find out more about the sun, visit the Web site
www.club-internet.fr/securite-solaire (from May to September)

More informations about sun :

http://bass2000.bagn.obs-mip.fr

http::hearsarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild