Every summer, the same puzzlement: why do so many seniors avoid sunscreen? Why does a bronze seem to be a source of pride, a symbol of a successful holiday despite repeated warnings? Although children and parents have been taught the dangers of UV rays, prevention does not affect all generations. To the point that some people wonder: when we never protect sunis it still useful after 60 years? At 60, 70, 80 years old, isn’t it better to stock up on vitamin D or risk ending up with a limp complexion?
Why should the elderly be more careful about the sun?
The skin’s ability to react to the sun changes with age
Of course, prevention messages are aimed more at babies and children than at their grandparents. “If we expose ourselves a lot to ultraviolet rays from the beginning of our lives, we accumulate the risks of developing skin cancer”, he acknowledges. Marc Perrusselretired dermatologist. From here to think that from a certain age, there is no need to cover with cream?
“It’s totally false,” corrects the vice president of National Union of Dermatologists. Every 10 years we lose about 10% of our melanocytes, these cells that protect the skin from UV rays and color.
This explains why our skin has more difficulty tanning, resisting the effects of UV rays and recovering from the sun. If you have always tanned without difficulty, you may however suffer from your first sunburn after 60!
Read more > Here are the right actions to quickly relieve sunburn (and avoid mistakes)
The capital of the sun is often already largely depleted
“At 60, not only do we have less ability to defend ourselves, but we have also accumulated a history of exposure to the sun,” adds the expert. As the years go by, the more your sun capital melts away. And when you can’t stand the rays at all, you’ll have to dive into the sea in pants and long sleeves…
Especially since today’s grandparents are children who grew up with their backs burned by the sun every summer… since the notion of sun prevention was born only in the 1990s.
The elderly are more likely to develop skin cancer
Unsurprisingly, the elderly are therefore among those most at risk of developing skin cancer. For the most common cancer with more than 100,000 new cases per year, the diagnosis falls on average at 60 years in women and 66 years in men. “Everyone must protect themselves from the sun in the same way, whatever your age and skin color. But a person who has beautiful skin, over 50, really has no choice,” insists Marc Perrussel.
The skin, instead of tanning, will retain spots and wrinkles
Why do women regret seeing so many wrinkles appear on their faces, but refuse to wear a hat? “As we age, the tan disappears and can leave sun spots that won’t go away.”
Another risk: the appearance or multiplication of wrinkles. Indeed, before spending a fortune on anti-aging creams, collagen food supplements or cosmetic surgery, the first good reflex is to protect your skin against UVA, present all year round, the main cause of wrinkles and fine lines. “These UVA rays cause the destruction of elastin and collagen, and therefore the appearance of wrinkles. Therefore, we must protect ourselves all year round! Especially since the surgical procedures for lifting can only be carried out if the tight skin is of good quality.
Some treatments, creams or tablets, increase sensitivity to the sun
Those over 60, who are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, should be more careful when taking certain photosensitizing treatments. Clearly, the risk of developing an allergy, adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, etc.), sunburn, skin cancer increases if you go out in the sun while taking these treatments. And the list is long: NSAIDs, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antihypertensives, diuretics, statins, antitumor drugs, antiepileptics, antihistamines, beta-blockers, etc.
Even creams to relieve rosacea, acne or minor wounds (when the lotion contains chlorhexidine) can be problematic. Any practical advice? Check your boxes if they show the “beware of the sun” pictogram.
Should you avoid the sun completely after 60?
No, the sun in compliance with the recommendations will allow you to look good at the beginning of the school year without burning. And while promoting your vitamin D secretion! “You only need to expose a small area of the skin to the sun, without protection, for 15 minutes a day to get its benefit,” says the doctor. “But this can be before 11 o’clock or after 5 o’clock!”
Also, it’s not because you make pancakes on the beach 5 hours a day for a month that you don’t lack vitamin D this winter, because we can only store a small part of it.
Read more > Vitamin D: what are the recommended doses and the risks of overdose?
What are the recommendations for sun protection after 60?
The advice is the same whatever your age
- avoid direct exposure between 12 pm and 4 pm
- to seek shade as soon as possible
- to wear a wide-brimmed hat
- to use UV filter glasses
- to favor the covering dress
- to apply sun protection
The cream must be renewed every two to three hours, but also after each swim.
And no, tanning does not provide protection. “Tanning is a natural element of protection, but largely insufficient because it allows UV rays to pass through. You must continue to protect yourself all summer long!”
What sun protection should you choose when you have mature skin? Which SPF to choose?
“You will be protected thanks to a sunscreen with an index of 50, provided that you apply it regularly, everywhere, but there is no need to have several tubes, different indices depending on the area and more than an index of 50”, emphasizes the dermatologist.
When to consult a dermatologist?
“If you see a spot appear, a mole, especially if it spreads, if it changes shape, it is better to consult,” assures the doctor. What emphasizes that dermatological monitoring should be done on a case by case basis. “The main thing is to have a first consultation with a dermatologist with a triple objective: screening examination, learning to remember the essential messages and definition of follow-up to see if there is a need, according to your history, your exposure to the sun, your habits, for an annual consultation or less.”
Does putting on sunscreen after 60 still do anything?
Yes. Although UV damage accumulates over the years, sun protection reduces the risk of further damage, skin cancers and premature aging of the skin.