When it is exhausted, cancer invites itself

Who has never felt this satisfaction? That of coming back from your vacation and displaying a tanned complexion at the office? For many, The tan remains the guarantor of successful leave.

This change of skin toddle is a social ritual, nourished for several decades … which it would be wise to abandon. Each year, between 141,200 and 243,500 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in France, according to Public Health France. In more than 85 % of cases, they are attributable to a Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV).

And a term often comes up: that of « capital soleil ». Prevention campaigns speak about it regularly and dermatologists constantly recall the duty to preserve it.

“As a point permit”

But what are we talking about exactly? Sun capital is “a form of schematic representation, which one could imagine as a Point permit “summarizes withactu.fr Dr. Marie-Estelle Roux, dermatologist and member of the National Union of Dermatologists-Venéreologists (SNDV).

This quota represents the total amount of UV that can be borne over a lifetime. It differs according to its color and natural skin. It is not measured as such.

However, it can be evaluated according to six phototypes of skin, established in the classification of Fitzpatrick, recalls the French Society of Dermatology. This goes from clear skin that does not bronze (with freckles and blond or red hair) to black skin.

The closer the skin, the more “points” we have

The general rule is that The more you have dark skin, the more “points” we have.

We don’t all have the same number of points at the start and we don’t lose them in the same way. It also depends on genetics, lifestyle, but also on its exposure to the sun. There is no equality and justice in relation to sun capital.

Above all, this “tank” Exhausts without ever renewing oneself. Indeed, the more UV we receive, the more skin lesions. The stem cells and the deep layers are destroyed in case of burning in the sun.

Preserving its sun capital starts from childhood

Hence the importance of taking care to preserve its “sun capital”. It is (fortunately) possible in several different ways and That begins from the first years of our life.

“The sunburns caught during childhood make the nest of melanomas, once adult,” says Marie-Estelle Roux. It is therefore essential to Protect children from the sun.

Until 12 years old, they must be preserved as much as possible and avoid going out when the sun is at the zenith.

Stay in the shade, put sunscreen …

A rule that still struggles to settle in the collective imagination. Because, on average, more than half of our sun capital is consumed at the age of 18. This is why once adult, this surveillance must remain at a maximum level. “As soon as you can, it is better stay in the shade “exhibits the dermatologist.

And as soon as this is not possible, you have to protect yourself with clothes, caps and glasses. And use cream when our skin is exposed.

Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that many drugs are photosensibilisants. This is the case of certain antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. This can cause abnormal skin reactions when it is exposed to the sun.

Signs to monitor

For the most worried people, several indices Can indicate when our “sun quota” is preparing to run out – or it is already.

“We can observe pigment disorderswith the appearance of dark or white spots on the skin, thickening of the skin or the appearance of rosacea[dilatation anormale et permanente de petits vaisseaux sanguins de la peau, NDLR.]”Explains Marie-Estelle Roux.

Then, we must monitor the appearance of “precancerous lesions, such as solar keratosis or actinic keratosis, ”continues the specialist. These are small rough and inflammatory crusts, “often present on the face”.

Finally, the last stage of exhausted “sun capital” is the skin cancers. “Namely carcinomas and melanomas »concludes Dr. Roux.

Only one piece of advice to avoid arriving at such ends: exhibiting your skin as little as possible in the sun. And too bad for tanning at the start of the school year.

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