The sun : beneficials or harmful effect ?
The beneficials effects of the sun on the skin
Some skin diseases (Eczema, psoriasis…) improve in response to sunlight.

UV light allows vitamin D to bind calcium in the bones, and also reduces the risks of osteoporosis in the elderly and prevents rickets in children. We should note that excessive exposure is not required, exposure to the sun for a few minutes every day is all that is need to ensure the synthesis of vitamin D !

The sun can improve our mood. The light affects melatonin, a hormone that regulates our biological rythms and our moods.

The consequences of exposure to the sun

On the eyes
On there are risks of photokeratitis (inflammation of the cornea), conjun- ctivitis, and cataract. High doses of UV light produce ophthalmia, a rare but very painful type of burn. We should realize that looking directly at the sun can produce serious lesions, notably of the retina.
Wearing category 3 or 4 sunglasses is essential to provide effective protection against the sun.

On the skin
Sunburn : Hhigh doses of UV product burning ; this depends on the intensity of the UV, the duartion of exposure and the phototype of the individual concerned.
Phototoxicity reactions : these are skin reactions induced by substances that are ingested (drugs: antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories…) or applied to the skin (perfumes, antiseptics, dyes…). They ake the skin very sensitive to UV.
Skin ageing or helioderma : the sun has the effect of accelerating skin ageing, which is exxentially due to UVA (emitted by the sun or the artificial UV of suntan lamps) that penetrates deep into the skin. This is particularly visible on the face and the backs of the hands; pigmented spots or <<lentigos>> due to the accumulation of melanin are scattered over the skin.
As the result of excessively prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin loses its elasticity, it develops characteristic wrinkles.
Skin cancer : in the form of carcinomas or melanomas, these skin tumors must be examined by a dermatologist and operated on during their early stages to avoid a progression towards.

How to protect yourself depending on your skin type ?

Our natural defense capacities
There is a real biological inequality with regard to the sun. Each individual has a characteristic phototype.

What is the phototype ?
The skin reacts by natural photo-protection, a sort of natural <<filtration>>. A person’s natural photoprotiction depends on his or her phototype, which determines the ability of his/her skin to tan (a natural screen) and to prevent the damage induced by UV.

The classification that follows takes into account the ability to tan or to burn in the sun, but also hair-color, carnation or skin color and whether there are any ephelides (frecklers).

Discover your phototype !
Phototype	Hair	Skin	Sunburn	Suntan	Protective Category	SPF Index
0	White	Albinos	Always	0	Maximum	100
I	Red	Laiteuse	Always	0	Maximum	60 to 100
II	Blond	Claire	Always	Light tan	Very high	60
III	Light brown	Mate	Common	Light tan	High	20 to 40
IV	Brown	Mate	Rare	Dark tan	Moderate	20
V	Dark bown	Mate	Unusual	Very dark tan	Moderate	20
VI	Black	Noir	Never	Very dark tan	Low	20

Knowing your phototype enables you to choose the appropriate sun protection.

What is the SPF ?
The photoprotective capacity of a sun cream is shown on the tubes after the initials SPF (Sun Protection Factor). This is the official terminology recommended in Europe and the United States. The SPF indicates the ability of the product to provide protection against UVB and UVA.

To find out which product is most suitable for your skin type, do not hesitate to consult your Dermatologist or Pharmacist.
What are the latest innovations in term of protection against sun ?
To counter the danger of harmful effects of the sun, the sun products available propose mineral or chemical sun screen. However, this surface protection is never total, indeed, regardless of the protective index of a sun product, it can never stop all the UV ! Surface protection does not solve the long-term risks that are invisible just after exposure to the sun. It is therefore necessary to provide additional protection at the level of the cell. This is the concept of BIOPROTECTION®. This patented complex stimulates the active derenses of the cell and preserves its vital in-heritance. Thus, sun products protect the skin surface, by means of effective screens, and also in depth against the long-term harmful effects of UV on the skin cells. <<Surface protection against sun is essential. In-depth protection is vital>>.
10 advices about the sun

1	Protect children from their earliest days, by applying a sun cream with a very high index regularly (every 2 hours). Make sure that they wear a T-shirt and shaskin, and sunglasses. Do not expose children less than 3 years of age to the sun.
2	Avoid exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the summer (when its UV index is greatest).
3	Be careful not to exposure yourself to the sun for too long on the pretext that you have applied a sunscreen. You need to apply it again every 2 hous..
4	Wear syb gkasses (category 3 or 4) UV is invisible, but can burn your eyes.
5	Never expose yourself to the sun after applying scented products (whick could produce blotches, allergies or burns).
6	Beware of misleading impressions of safety : even when swimming and with a cooling wind, you must remember to protect yourself.
7	Never exposure yourself to the sun without protection and choose products with a sun protection index (SPF) of more than 20 and that are sutable for your skin type.
8	Dry yourself each time you have been bathing rather than drying in the sun, because the drops in crease the impact of the sunshine and so increase the risks of sunburn.
9	Drink water very grequently (at least 2 liters per day).
10	Protect yourself against the sun, even when it is cloudy, clouds actually allow 90% of the UV to get through (especially UVA).