SUN CANCER PREVENTION
SAVE YOUR SKIN - ABCDE METHOD

Most cases of skin cancer - whether melanoma or non-melanoma cancers - are due to unprotected sun exposure.

YOUR QUESTIONS
OUR ANSWERS

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How can I protect my skin from the sun?

Sun exposure puts you at risk of sunburn, as well as the long-term dangers of premature ageing and skin cancer. To stay safe in the sun, seek shade between 11 am and 3 pm, wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses. In addition to these measures, generously apply broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen every 2 hours to any area of exposed skin.


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What is the best sunscreen for sensitive skin?

Some sunscreens can cause unpleasant stinging sensations on sensitive skin. Opt for broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection that is tested on the most sensitive skin, such as the ANTHELIOS range from the sensitive skin specialist brand La Roche-Posay. All ANTHELIOS products integrate naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water to soothe sensitive skin.


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Does a spray tan protect you from the sun?

Absolutely not! Spray tans react with dead cells at skin’s surface to “dye” the skin. This has no bearing whatsoever on the skin’s defences against the sun. Spray tanning is much safer than conventional tanning, but you must continue to protect your skin from the sun after a spray tan using broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen.


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How can I protect my skin from the sun without sunscreen?

Dermatologists recommend wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing as well as seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest. But sunscreen is at the core of sun protection strategies and cannot be omitted from your routine. ANTHELIOS sunscreens undergo rigorous testing on even the most sensitive skin to ensure total safety.


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How can I protect my face from the sun?

To avoid premature ageing or skin cancer, it is important to use daily facial sunscreen. This is all the more important if you are pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pill, as this puts you at risk of “pregnancy mask.” Choose a texture that best suits your skin such as a comfort cream for dry skin, a non-comedogenic gel for oily skin or a fresh mist if you like rubbing cream in.


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TRUE
OR FALSE

SUN CAN MAKE
YOU AGE PREMATURELY.

TRUE

UVA rays disrupt skin’s inner building blocks such as collagen and elastin fibres. Over time,sun exposure causes a loss of plumpnessand elasticity as well as wrinkles. UVB rays also stimulate patchy and irregular pigment production leadingto dark spots and a sallow complexion. Globally, thesechanges in the skin are known as photo-ageing.
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NO NEED TO WEAR SUN
PROTECTION WHEN IT'S CLOUDY.

FALSE

Even on a grey and rainy day, skin is exposed to UV rays that will gradually cause the stigmata of photo-ageing to appear. To fully protect your skin, opt for sunscreen every day, not just when it’s warm and sunny. 
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THE EARLIER A SKIN
CANCER IS DETECTED, THE BETTER.

TRUE

If detected early, 90% of skin cancers are curable. That is why screening is so important Between dermatologistvisits, use [SAVE YOUR SKIN LANDING PAGE] to keep an eye on your moles and those of your loved ones. And of course, make sunscreen a daily non-negotiable to protect your moles and prevent skin cancer.
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DECODING SUN PROTECTION
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Below you’ll find a dedicated article that explains the varying effects of these different types of UV on skin - sunburn, ageing and increased skin cancer risk - as well as how to understand the labels on sun products and pick out protection you can rely on.

For a more in-depth look at what happens to skin in the sun, you will find a quick guide to the short- and long-term effects of sun exposure (sun allergy, acne, photosensitivity…).

Empowered by all this knowledge, you’ll be ready to discover our recommended best practices to keep you and your family’s skin safe, plus information on the importance of daily protection, especially if you have sensitive skin.

SUN & CANCER PREVENTION
SAVE YOUR SKIN - ABCDE METHOD

Why is the sun dangerous? UVA and UVB rays trigger changes at the heart of our cells leading to DNA damage. In the long term, this damage can cause skin cancer.
Although talking about cancer is always scary, 90% of skin cancers are curable if detected in time*. And, crucially, skin cancer highly preventable with the right sun protection.
*www.euromelanoma.org/press, EPI factsheet 2014

PRACTICAL STEPS
TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER

  • To prevent skin cancer, a few simple steps should always be followed:
  • Engage in smart protective behaviours in the sun, such as avoiding exposure at the sunniest times of day and wearing protective hats and clothing.
  • Protect your skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
  • Check your moles using the ABCDE method (and consult your GP or a dermatologist if you notice anything that concerns you).
  • See a dermatologist regularly for a full-body mole check.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK
OF SKIN CANCER?

"When it comes to the dangers of the sun, some people are in a higher risk group. This includes people with a fair phototype (light eyes, skin and hair), people with a large number of moles and/or a family history of skin cancer, people who suffered 5 or more blistering sunburns under the age of 20, and those who regularly use tanning booths. "

If you are in a high-risk group, mole-checking is something you should do on a regular basis – Remember, 90% of skin cancers are curable if detected in time*.
* www.euromelanoma.org/press, EPI factsheet 2014

THE ABCDE METHOD
FOR SKIN CANCER SCREENING

Recognised by dermatologists, the ABCDE method is helpful in identifying suspect lesions with the naked eye.

Red flags to keep a careful eye out for include:

  • The sudden development of new moles, since 8/10 melanomas arise from new moles rather than pre-existing moles.
  • Changes in the size, shape or colour of existing moles.

In this section, you will discover the must-knows of skin cancer prevention: How to stay safe in the sun, what sun protection products to use and how often. You will also find detailed information on how to use the ABCDE method as a mole-screening tool, plus handy sun protection tips to make sure every inch of skin is protected.

Save your skin :
Pr Argenziano - ABCDE Method

Find out a useful method to detect potential melanomas on the skin.

The ABCDE rule is a very simple method to remember the main characteristis of melanoma. The letter “A” stands for Asymmetry, so we have to look at the shape of the lesion in order to understand if the lesion is a very regular, oval, roundish lesion or is very irregularly shaped.This is the meaning asymmetry ""B"" stands for Border irregularity so when we have an outline of the lesion which is very irregular in terms of border “C” stands for Colour and the colour in melanoma is very frequently highly dis-homogeneous it means we have a various combination of different colours light brown, dark brown, black grey or even white ""D"" stands for Diameter. Usually melanoma is a larger lesion as compared to the other nevi of the individual and usually melanoma is a lesion larger than 6mm but in my view the most important feature is summarized by the letter ""E"". ""E"" stands for Evolution. Evolution means that usually melanoma is a lesion which is changing over time, changing in shape,changing in border, changing in colour, changing in diameter So whatever lesion which is changing in any of these characteristics but especially growing over time is a lesion that should be checked by the dermatologist In summary A : asymmetry B : irregular border C : uneven color D : diameter (> 6mm) E : evolution over time

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

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100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

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One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
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FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

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We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.
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JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

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Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
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TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

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Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.

DEAR
READERS

The information displayed here is intended for general educational purposes only and should not in any case be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any medical question.