Everyone knows you should wear sunscreen. But do you know why? Most people associate sun damage with sunburn, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The real damage is invisible and responsible for up to 80% of visible skin ageing.
UVA vs. UVB: two types of rays, two types of damage
UVB: the burners
UVB rays hit the epidermis and cause sunburn. They directly damage skin cell DNA, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
UVA: the silent agers
UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, breaking down collagen and elastin. They pass through clouds and glass - you're exposed year-round.
UVA effects:
- Collagen degradation
- Elastin damage
- Irregular pigmentation
- Free radical generation
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Choosing the right sunscreen
SPF only measures UVB protection. For complete coverage, look for broad spectrum (UVA + UVB). La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 offers protection against ultra-long UVA rays with the Mexoryl 400 filter.
Prices at Belgian pharmacies: from €19.83 to €35.69.
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After-sun and repair
- Antioxidants: vitamin C serum under SPF
- After-sun: aloe vera, panthenol, thermal water
- Retinol: stimulates cell renewal (evening only)
The key takeaway
The sun isn't your enemy, but unprotected exposure is. Always compare prices on PharmaCompare - differences can reach €20 for the same product.