Protecting yourself from the summer sun is not an option. But there are certain situations where the skin requires more than ever appropriate protection. And while some have already left or are packing their bags to sunbathe on the beach, in the mountains or in the countryside, it’s never too late to buy cream, bandages, spray, cotton clothes. And above all, remember good advice. 20 minutes has therefore listed the five cases where the skin needs a little boost to defend itself against UV rays.
A scar
What are the risks ? “As long as the scar is red, it itches or stings, it should not be exposed to the sun at all”, slice Martine Baspeyrasdermatologist in Bordeaux and member of the Aesthetic and corrective dermatologist group (Grdec). “We must avoid sunburn on a scarred area, because there is a risk of skin cancer more than elsewhere”, completes Isabelle Gallaydermatologist and vice-president of the National union of dermatologists-venereologists (SNDV).
There is a second reason, aesthetic this time: exposing your scar to the sun is to risk modifying the healing. “When it’s red, the cells that make the pigment are very sensitive to inflammation, so they will react with a significant production of melanin. It’s called thehyperpigmentation. That is to say that the scar becomes dark brown if we take the sun as long as it is inflamed. »
How long should you avoid the sun? “In general, patients are told to wait a year before exposing a scar to the sun,” resumes Isabelle Gallay. Healing often takes longer than you think. “Even when it is beautiful, fine after a few weeks, it can expand because the dermis, below, is not healed if you are not careful,” warns Martine Baspeyras.
What advice to follow? If it’s been less than two months since you had surgery or removed a mole and you’ve planned a trip to the beach, the dermatologist recommends protecting the scar with micropore skin color, dressings containing silicone. Discreet therefore, and less painful when removed. “By sticking it on the scar, not only does it improve healing, because it guides the arrangement of the fibers, but it also protects against UV rays,” she explains. And you don’t need to take it off to wash, bathe…”
A tattoo
What are the risks ? “There is a risk that the skin heals badly, but also that the pigments react to the sun, list Isabelle Gallay. Especially the red pigments. We then risk a photosensitization reaction: the tattoo area will swell, appear in relief…”
How long should you avoid the sun? At least two months.
What advice to follow? It is better to avoid exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., put on clothing covering the tattooed area. Otherwise, put cream with an index 50 every two hours. “Basic recommendations to use even more on this weakened skin”, insists Martine Baspeyras. Who adds: “you have to be careful: the healing time depends on the location. The further you move away from the face, the longer it takes to heal: ankles, lower back, there is less density of hair follicles (from which hair and sebum are produced) from the jaw. So be patient, if you’ve just had a surfboard tattooed on your ankle…
A piercing
What are the risks ? When you have just made a piercing, the skin is in the process of healing, so you must carefully accompany this process. “You can see hypertrophic scars after a piercing: it swells and it makes a nodule, warns Isabelle Gallay. In this case, the light can precisely attenuate the inflammatory reaction, provided that it is not strong. This is why the dermatologist advises exposing your scar in small doses, in the morning, when the sun is not likely to burn the damaged skin.
How long should you avoid the sun? The recommendations are the same as for lambda healing: between two months and a year without long exposure to the sun.
What advice to follow? If we have just had our navel pierced, we will choose a one-piece swimsuit or a trikini, and we forget the crop-top for this summer! “We are also thinking of taking the solar stickslike a lip stick, but wider, it’s small so practical”, adds Martine Baspeyras.
breast implants
What are the risks ? It is important to differentiate between breast prostheses following reconstruction and breast augmentation for aesthetic reasons. The latter does not risk anything. “Patients who have had breast reconstruction after cancer have particularly fine tissue between the skin, the prosthesis and the muscle, whereas with an augmentation, there remains the mammary gland which acts as a barrier, justifies Isabelle Sarfati, plastic surgeon at the Paris Breast Institute. In addition, the mastectomy having removed all the nerve endings, they have a weakened skin sensitivity and therefore will not feel the burn. Finally, they have often had radiotherapy, which weakens the skin. »
This is why, for several years, the surgeon has been alerting patients: “every summer, we see two to three who have discovered that their breast has burned. In the worst case, we lose the prosthesis and we have to redo an operation. A risk that runs for reconstructions after cancer, but also for patients who have their breasts removed and a prosthesis fitted as a preventive measure.
How long should you avoid the sun? All life, since sensitivity and protection are weakened by operations and radiotherapy.
What advice to follow? Always favor a light colored jersey. A study conducted in four French breast reconstruction centers revealed that out of 28 women with breast burns after reconstruction, 20 wore black swimsuits. “It’s worse than topless, it’s a magnifying glass!, summarizes Isabelle Sarfati. Anyway, we no longer make pancakes and we never expose our breasts to direct sunlight. »
A beauty spot
What are the risks ? As we know, a mole that takes on an abnormal appearance is a sign that you have to go to a doctor. Problem: finding a dermatologist available the day before leaving on vacation is not easy. “You scratched a mole? You disinfect it, you put a micropore and you make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as you return, insists Isabelle Gallay. If you find that a mole has changed in appearance, surface, contour, color, you must make an appointment with your dermatologist or ask for an opinion by teleconsultation at your vacation spot, because it can go quickly. a melanoma. In any case, you absolutely must not expose this mole to the sun.
How long should you avoid the sun? It depends on how the mole looks…and what the doctor tells you.
What advice to follow? “It’s not much use to put a plaster on a mole and get sunburned right next to it, points out the doctor from Bordeaux. Because you may have dangerous moles that you have missed. Above all, the sun is not just at the beach. So it’s better to put on sunscreen every morning, and add more if you fear more exposure. »