Four tips to protect your skin

The skin has a surface area of around 1.8 square metres, weighs between 3.5 and 10 kg and is considered to be the largest organ in the human body.

In short, the skin has four vital functions:

Our skin regenerates itself and the outermost cell layers are constantly being renewed. This process, which involves the whole body, takes about a month. To enable the skin to fulfil its function, it draws its energy and its components from our daily diet. That's why a balanced, healthy and varied diet is essential for healthy skin.

Water gives volume to our cells. If we lose too much fluid, we end up with dry skin. It is therefore recommended to drink 2 to 2.5 litres of fluid a day (water or unsweetened tea). 

Most of the skin's cell renewal takes place at night. A lack of sleep results in a dull complexion, dark circles and red eyes. The concentration of growth hormones increases during deep sleep, and these repair damaged cells. For an adult's skin to recover optimally, we need around seven to eight hours' sleep.

Skin care and cleansing are also important. Make-up, perspiration and skin oils need to be removed daily so as not to clog pores and prevent bacteria from multiplying. Exfoliating removes skin flakes and sebum deposits, and regular massage stimulates blood circulation.

And don't forget to protect yourself properly from the sun. UV rays cause the skin to age more rapidly, and every sunburn increases the risk of developing skin cancer. That's why we should always protect our skin (sun cream, long clothing, sun hat), avoid the sun at midday and apply moisturizer to our skin afterwards.

As well as the sun's harmful UV rays, there are other substances that are harmful to the skin. Alcohol dehydrates the body and skin, accelerating skin ageing. Nicotine and stress reduce blood flow to the skin. Sugar makes the skin more vulnerable to pimples and inflammation. To keep your skin healthy, you need to avoid these harmful substances.

Skin cancer refers to a variety of malignant skin tumours that can develop anywhere on the body. A distinction is made between white skin cancer and black skin cancer. Black skin cancer is less common, but is often malignant. Skin cancer can become dangerous if it forms metastases or develops in major organs. Early detection and treatment increase the chances of recovery.

White skin cancer often appears on areas of the face exposed to the sun: sides of the nose, forehead, ears, lower lip, neck, forearms, back of the feet or hands.

In addition to UV rays, other risk factors include frequent visits to the solarium, pigmented spots or moles, previous cases of skin cancer in the family, a weak immune system, contact with carcinogenic substances (tar, arsenic, etc.) or chronic skin inflammation.

You can refer to the ABCDE rule to spot the warning signs.

Asymmetry: the shape of the spot is asymmetrical, irregular, i.e. neither round nor oval.

Border: the borders are irregular or not well defined. The edge is frayed, blurred or jagged.

Colour: when a healthy pigmented mole develops into skin cancer, its colour usually changes. It is unevenly pigmented or takes on an unusual colour (bluish, white or flesh-coloured).

Diameter: when the diameter is larger than 5 mm.

Evolution: change in size, colour or shape over time.

Skin cancer does not always have all these characteristics. On the other hand, scabs or sores that do not heal within four weeks are typical of white skin cancer.

It is therefore important to carry out regular self-checks and consult your dermatologist for early detection of skin cancer.