Testimony : Unprotected sun exposure

Read about Catherine, 73, who grew up in a generation where tanning was associated with beauty.

Hello,

I'm Catherine, a French woman who will soon be 73.
Like many of my generation, I've enjoyed unprotected sunbathing. In the 60s, 70s and 80s, we all associated tanning with beauty.

When I was in my forties, brown spots appeared on my face and my sister, returning from a month of sun and beach in the south of France, pointed out that I was damaging my skin...

I thought about it and realized that she was right. At the time, I was content with the shade of an umbrella.
Years have passed and I'm now retired in the tropics. I swim a lot, for a long time, especially since I do water gymnastics. To (finally) protect my skin, I don't use sunscreen, because I respect the sea as much as I can, but a few years ago I decided to opt for surfing trunks, with long sleeves and a big hat to protect my face. These swimsuits are very feminine, they enhance my figure and make me feel comfortable.

Around me, I've seen most of the women and men of my generation with skin cancer on their faces, skulls... Burnt, dried-out cleavage. I'm lucky enough to have escaped cancer, although the sun spots have spread, but I can enjoy the sun and the sea in peace, simply, without having to use products that are harmful to the environment. What's more, in addition to bikinis, I see more and more protective swimwear for young children and adults.

So my story isn't very original, but I think it's a good example of how our attitude to the sun is changing.

Catherine