How to optimize your exposure to the sun?

In this article, Célia Vepori Lucciardi, facialist and founder of the A Perla Rara Institute, reveals how to enjoy the sun safely!

Sun exposure and tanning were made fashionable in 1920 by Coco Chanel. But at that time, we could not know the consequences of repeated exposure to this warm friend, because we then wore parasols and wide-brimmed hats to preserve the milky complexion of the heroines of novels.

Today, only the Western world advocates a tanned and matte complexion. In much of the rest of the world, it's the opposite: a fair complexion is a sign of beauty, purity and social success.

Many solar food supplements have appeared on the market in recent years to meet this Western demand.

The sun's rays are made up of several categories: infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays.

Today we are going to develop the axis of ultraviolet which are the most harmful radiations on the list. They are classified into three types: UVC, UVB and UVA. Here are some details.

UVC is the most dangerous ultraviolet radiation. Used as germicides in hospitals, they attack biological molecules by affecting DNA, which gives them a very significant carcinogenic potential. Fortunately, the ozone layer prevents almost all of their passage by filtering them.

UVB rays are the main culprits for “sunburn”. They induce cellular degeneration which leads to melanoma, skin cancer. Indeed, they generate molecular disorders which, by dint of being repeated, saturate the DNA repair system and lead to “errors” in the genome of the affected cells.

UVA rays cause premature aging known as actinic (i.e. due to the sun) as well as the acceleration of the development of pigment spots. Although UVB is the main cause of skin cancer, UVA can also contribute. They are at the origin of the production of free radicals. These molecules initiate chain reactions that alter DNA, proteins and lipids and generate cancer cells. Be careful, these UV rays pass through the windows.

Melanocytes are found in our cells and constantly produce melanin, which are biological pigments that will characterize our skin, hair and eye color.

The sun will stimulate this process by producing even more melanin which will be released into the skin cells, which will color it giving you a tan.

UVA will initially cause “immediate pigmentation” which gives a quick but ephemeral tan. A few days later, so-called delayed pigmentation will appear, that of tanning. The latter is at its maximum after 20 days.

During this time the skin thickens. This is a natural reaction aimed at protecting us from the sun. However, be careful, this thickening does not provide sufficient protection.

How to prepare your skin for the summer sun?

Ideal time for sunbathing

To obtain an optimal tan while minimizing risks, it is recommended to expose yourself to the sun outside the hottest hours of the day. Indeed, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., UV rays are the most intense and therefore the most dangerous.

How long does it take to get an optimal tan?

The ideal exposure time varies depending on skin type. For fair skin, it is recommended not to exceed 15 to 20 minutes of direct exposure per day. For darker skin tones, this duration may be increased slightly, but it is still crucial not to overdo it to avoid sunburn and long-term damage.

In the event of too much exposure, UVA and UVB rays will damage our skin and create solar erythema, more commonly called "sunburn".

This reaches its maximum intensity after approximately 24 hours. It is not a real burn but an inflammatory reaction of the cells.

Indeed, UVB destroys our cells, which results in redness. Then the cells detach and we peel.

Peeling is very risky because these cells have a high potential for cancerous transformation.

Every time the skin is exposed to UV rays and it tans or burns, each of its cells is altered, as well as the DNA. Although the skin can repair superficial damage like sunburn, the damage to skin cells and DNA remains.

The dangers of overexposure

Overexposure to the sun can have serious consequences for the skin. In addition to sunburn, it can cause long-term damage such as premature aging, pigment spots and an increased risk of skin cancer. It is therefore essential to protect yourself adequately and limit the time spent in the sun.

Aging due to the sun is an aging that is different from chronological aging. The first difference is that it induces premature aging.

In addition, aging due to the sun is completely unstructured: wrinkles appear in a completely anarchic manner where chronological aging would first intensify expression lines then those due to sagging of the skin.

The wrinkles are deeper and more numerous, the skin quickly loses its elasticity. Pigment spots also appear.

The consequences and their causes

Actinic aging is caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays, which damage the skin's collagen and elastin fibers. This leads to a loss of firmness and elasticity, as well as the appearance of deep wrinkles and age spots. Free radicals generated by UV also play a key role in this premature aging process.

The sun is also an ally. It allows, among other things, the synthesis of vitamin D which is often defective, even in favorable latitudes. Vitamin D is actually a hormone and not a vitamin.

It plays a determining role in many metabolic reactions, particularly in autoimmune diseases. Also, the latest studies tend to demonstrate that vitamin D supplementation in doses higher than those usually recommended would have beneficial effects on illnesses such as vitiligo, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, covid and many others. . Although the currently recommended dose is 600 to 800 iu per day, it would ultimately be increased.

Today, the new recommendations are closer to the results obtained after 20 minutes of daily exposure, arms and legs bare and without sun protection filter, which would correspond to 10,000 iu. Please note, any dosage increase cannot be done without the advice of a doctor.

A. Right time to benefit from it

To maximize the synthesis of vitamin D, it is recommended to expose yourself to the sun during the hours when UVB rays are most effective, that is to say between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, it is crucial to do it in a moderate and protected manner to avoid the risk of sunburn and skin damage.

1. Recommended duration for optimal synthesis

The duration of exposure needed for optimal vitamin D synthesis varies depending on several factors, including skin type, age, and latitude. In general, 10 to 30 minutes of exposure, two to three times per week, is sufficient for most individuals. It is important not to use sunscreen during this short period to allow UVB to penetrate the skin.

Winter: protect your skin with a minimum protection factor 25-30 that you renew throughout the day. Be careful when traveling in the city/car and protect yourself behind the windows.

On rainy or gray days, remember that the sun's rays pass through clouds which only filter 50% of ultraviolet rays. So beware of foggy weather seemingly without sun.

In spring, prepare your skin for the sun by exfoliating it to regenerate it and create a healthy foundation. Increase the protection factor of your sun cream to respond to new sunny days.

Hydrate your skin as much as possible to keep it healthy and force yourself to drink. Prepare your skin for the sun by using D-LAB Active Sun Complex, which helps to tan your complexion without the sun, while preparing your skin for tanning.

Rich in antioxidants and anti-free radicals, this treatment will enhance your skin while providing it with all the elements necessary to increase its resistance and thus better protect it.

During the summer, an index 50 will be strongly recommended with broad spectrum UVA protection. Be sure to renew your cream every two hours at most and always favor 100% natural filters for you and our environment.

Even with sunscreen, avoid basking in the sun and wear a wide-brimmed hat during your various trips.

The Duo Eclat-Total combines the Sun Complex and the Soothed Skin Complex to intensify the tan and provide the skin with total protection against the harmful effects of the sun. 

In particular, the Soothed Skin Complex contains a microencapsulated melon extract titrated in SOD. SOD plays an essential role in preventing oxidative stress and also offers very high protection against damage caused by UV rays, making it an ally of choice in the summer. You will then offer better resistance to ultraviolet rays and sunburn for your skin while reducing inflammation due to UV rays.

In the fall, it is the time for the irruption of the buds. Indeed, to protect itself from UV rays, the skin defends itself against the sun's attack by thickening. This excess creates an obstruction of the orifice of the sebaceous glands and gives rise to microcysts and other inflamed comedones.

When it is no longer exposed to the sun, the skin will then refine itself again to regain its original shape. This is when things go wrong, revealing the accumulation. Gentle exfoliation will be required and the Perfect Skin Program will allow a complete reset of your skin through its detox and regeneration.