Health. Preparing your skin for the sun: UV rays, self-tanners, supplements... what should you think?

According to a 2022 BVA survey conducted for the National Cancer Institute, the French still hold many misconceptions about preparing their skin for the sun. One in five believe that taking capsules reduces the risk of sunburn, while 15% consider sunbeds to be an effective way to prepare their skin.

These figures reveal a worrying lack of awareness of the real risks associated with certain practices presented as beneficial.

UV cabins: a real danger

Artificial tanning booths are a real health hazard. These devices, which use lamps emitting ultraviolet rays, expose the skin to particularly harmful radiation.

There are two types of lamps in these cabins. Low-pressure lamps emit primarily UVA rays, while high-pressure lamps are equipped with a filter designed to select wavelengths. The problem arises when this filter is defective: the skin can then be exposed to UVB and UVC rays, which are particularly dangerous for health.

Contrary to popular belief, these booths do not prepare the skin for the sun. On the contrary, they expose it to an increased risk of skin cancer and premature aging. As the Consumer Safety Commission points out, "A 15-minute session corresponds to the same duration of exposure to the midday sun on a Caribbean beach without sunscreen."

Self-tanners are a safe alternative for achieving a tanned complexion. These cosmetics work through a chemical process that only dyes dead cells on the skin's surface, without stimulating melanin production.

Two major concerns, however: these products only color the skin. At no point do they prepare it for the sun's rays (unless they are specifically formulated with UV filters). Another drawback, this time aesthetic: they can reveal blackheads on the face, the latter being composed of dead cells that become more colored.

Food supplements: unfulfilled promises

The market for "tanning preparation" dietary supplements is enjoying growing success, fueled by attractive marketing communications. However, the scientific reality is quite different.

A search of scientific databases reveals a disturbing finding: very few rigorous studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of these products. Whether they are capsules, creams, or oils presented as tanning "activators" or "accelerators," scientific evidence of their effectiveness is lacking.

Inserm confirms: "Currently, the available data on their effectiveness and safety are very fragmentary. Given the current state of scientific knowledge, it is therefore difficult to decide in favor of their use."

Even more worrying, these products could even pose health risks, without providing the promised benefits. "Certain beta-carotene-based dietary supplements, consumed in high doses, represent an increased risk of lung cancer for smokers and ex-smokers (and people exposed to asbestos)," insists the French National Cancer Institute (INCa).

The real preparation for the sun

The best preparation for the skin for the sun remains gradual and reasonable exposure, always accompanied by suitable sun protection.

High-factor sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, and avoiding the hottest hours of the day are the only truly effective measures for enjoying the sun safely.

Source: INCa, Inserm, French Society of Dermatology