How can you protect yourself from the sun's dangers on your skin?

In metropolitan France, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are generally very strong between early May and late August; during this period, they are extremely intense in overseas departments and regions. To protect your health in case of sun exposure, it is recommended to:

• look for shaded areas for your outdoor activities;
• Wear loose-fitting, long, dark-colored clothing, particularly if you need to stay in the sun for a long time (light-colored clothing may be recommended to protect you specifically from heat, but dark-colored clothing provides better protection from the sun’s UV rays and may also help protect you from heat when loose).
• avoid sun exposure between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in metropolitan France and between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. overseas (this is the period when UV rays are most intense);
• apply a thick layer of high-protection sunscreen every 2 hours (sun protection factor of 30, minimum) to parts of your body that are not protected by clothing, regardless of your age and skin type. You should continue to protect yourself even if you are tanned, as tanning has no protective effect.

Children and adolescents must be particularly protected from the sun. They are extremely sensitive to UV radiation; they have thin skin, which is more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of these rays.

Infants should never stay in the sun. They should always remain in the shade, protected by a wide-brimmed hat and UV-resistant or tight-woven clothing.

If you work outdoors, your employer must allow you to work under suitable conditions, for example:

• organize your schedule when the risk of exposure to the sun's dangers is particularly high;
• provide you with protective equipment (UV protective clothing, filter glasses, wide-brimmed hats...);
• allow you to work alternating periods in the shade and periods in the sun.