Protect Your Skin from UVA and UVB Rays (Even When School Starts Again!)

Skin pigmentation is a complex process and varies in terms of the distribution and size of melanosomes. The more pigmented the melanosomes are, the larger and more individual they are.

Human melanocytes produce two chemically distinct types of melanin: eumelanin, a brown-to-black pigment, and pheomelanin, a yellow-to-red pigment. In the case of pheomelanin, the melanosomes tend to be less pigmented, smaller in size, and cluster together in groups. Human skin normally contains a mixture of these pigments, and their ratio determines the visible pigmentation.

The primary role of melanin is to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays and thereby prevent the development of skin cancer.

Skin color can be classified according to the Fitzpatrick classification (or phototypes), which depends on the amount of melanin and the ratio between the two types of melanin. This is determined by one's natural skin color and the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

People with medium to dark skin, who produce large amounts of melanin, are more resistant to the sun’s rays and, therefore , to sunburn. However, solar radiation—even simple daily exposure to daylight—is enough to cause skin damage, including the appearance, development, and darkening of pigment spots, melasma, and chloasma, as well as premature photoaging of the skin, which can even lead to skin cancer.

In fact, repeated exposure to UV radiation triggers the transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes, resulting in a density of melanocytes that is twice as high in areas exposed to the sun. To prevent these pigmentation disorders, the only solution is therefore to protect yourself from UV radiation.

The role of sunscreen products in the prevention and treatment of pigmentary disorders is well known. It is therefore essential that people with medium to dark skin use sun protection products. These products may contain UV blockers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, combined with photostable, broad-spectrum UV absorbers, to ensure effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays. High UVA protection is also essential because UVA radiation is implicated in persistent pigmentation.
For those who didn't protect themselves from the sun this summer, apply our Anti-Dark Spot Serum morning and evening, and continue to apply the Photo Protective Fluid As soon as you step outside!