How to take care of your anti-UV clothing?

Many of you have questions about how to take care of our UV clothing. We will answer all your questions through this blog.

Question n°1 : How do I wash UV protective clothing purchased from Ker Sun?

Our clothes are machine washable, following the instructions on the care label. This will let you know, depending on the textile fiber, the maximum washing temperature that your garment can withstand, but also the appropriate program to avoid damage.

👉 The labels are present inside the garment.

Question n°2 : What do the washing symbols in the clothes mean?

On Care labels on your clothes , washing precautions are sometimes represented by symbols, in a specific order. There are instructions for washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional cleaning.

Here are their meanings below.👇

Question n°3 : Some of the clothes purchased from Ker Sun have a "NEVER WASHES OUT" label, what does this mean?

It's an American expression which simply means that sunscreen doesn't wash off. So no worries, you still can wash your cloth!

Question n°4 : How do I preserve the life of my UV-protective swimwear (swim t-shirts, swimsuits, etc.)?

In order to keep your  UV  swimwear like the first day  for as long as possible, here are our  tips to follow : 

- Rinse your anti-UV swimsuit with clean water after each swim because  residual chlorine or seawater could damage your swimsuit in the long term.

- Wash your swimsuit at low temperature at 30°, but refer especially to the wash labels inside the cloth.

-  Do not dry your swimsuit in the dryer :  it damages  the elastane which is one of the main materials ofs  swimsuits. 

- Pay attention to surfaces : pool edges, rocks, docks, can all have rough surfaces that break the fibers of your swimsuit.

Sources:

https://www.quechoisir.org/decryptage-lave-linge-et-seche-linge-comprendre- etiquettes-des-vetements-n68191/

https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/mode/coach-mode/comment-bien-entretenir-maillot-de-bain-2065064?awc=21698_1660296172_7e2279a6603303b786a5177acfac7b4b

Comment bien choisir sa crème solaire ?

Comment bien choisir sa crème solaire - KER SUN

Aujourd’hui, la crème solaire est un produit incontournable. Que ce soit en été 🏖️ ou en hiver ⛷️ , de plus en plus de personnes sont conscientes des conséquences du soleil (coups de soleil, vieillissement cutané, taches pigmentaires …) et introduisent donc de la crème solaire dans leur routine quotidienne, bien que la plupart n'en utilise que pour les vacances.

Elle est généralement appliquée sur les zones non couvertes par un vêtement, comme le visage ou le cou.

Nous vous proposons un guide qui vous permettra de mieux choisir votre crème solaire.

Cette dernière est avant tout un produit cosmétique, possédant un indice de protection qui préserve la peau des rayonnements ultraviolets (UV). Cependant, il faut savoir qu’aucune crème ne filtre 100% des rayons UV. C'est pour cette raison que les expressions comme « écran total » ont été interdites dans la communication de ces produits. Ainsi, gardons à l’esprit que la crème solaire n'est que complémentaire d’une protection solaire globale. Selon Santé publique France, il est nécessaire d’éviter de s’exposer au soleil entre 12h et 16h, de privilégier les zones d’ombre et de sortir couvert (vêtements 👚 , chapeaux 👒 et lunettes de protection 🕶️ ). 

Choisissez l'indice de protection qui vous correspond

Les crèmes solaires sont classées par niveau de protection, présent sur l’étiquette du produit par le facteur de protection solaire (FPS), aussi appelé indice de protection (IP) ou SPF (Sun Protection Factor).

Catégorie de protection

Indice de protection indiqué sur l'étiquette

Faible protection

6 à 10

Protection moyenne

15 à 25

Haute protection

30 à 50

Très haute protection

50 +

Afin de déterminer l’indice de protection le plus adapté à votre peau, nous vous invitons à lire notre article Quel est votre phototype ?. Cet article vous permettra de connaître votre type de peau et vos conditions d’exposition au soleil.

  • Savez-vous à quoi correspond l’indice FPS ?

  • Il indique la transmission des UVB à la peau. Par exemple, avec une crème indice 50, la quantité d’UVB transmise, en respectant les conditions d'application de laboratoire, sera de 1/50, soit 2%. Une crème indice 25 est considérée comme une protection « moyenne » et laisse passer 4% des UVB. Alors qu’une crème indice 30 qui appartient à la catégorie « haute protection », présente 3,33% d’UVB non filtrés.

    En d’autres termes, un FPS 50 (ou SPF 50) bien appliqué signifie que votre peau mettra 50 fois plus de temps à brûler que sans protection.
    Chez KER SUN, nous conseillons d’utiliser un SPF 50 ou SPF 50+ car une crème solaire n’est jamais aussi bien appliquée qu'en laboratoire et l’indice 50 vous garantira plus de tranquillité et de sécurité. Bien sûr, n’oubliez pas les zones sensibles comme les oreilles, le nez, le front, les paupières et les lèvres.

    Choisissez une crème solaire efficace contre les UVB et les UVA

    Les rayons ultraviolets sont composés d’UVB et d’UVA qui produisent des effets sur votre peau: 
    • Les rayonnements ultraviolets B sont la cause de vos coups de soleil et le principal déclencheur des cancers de la peau.
    • Les rayonnements ultraviolets A ne laissent pas de traces visibles après exposition. Néanmoins elles conduisent au vieillissement prématuré de la peau et sont responsables de la naissance de certains cancers cutanés.

    Lors de votre choix de crème solaire, l’indice FPS garantit une protection contre les UVB seulement. Ainsi, il est important de bien vérifier sur l'emballage que votre produit protège aussi des UVA. Voici pourquoi la Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) conseille de choisir une protection solaire porteuse du logo UVA* pour vous garantir également une protection contre les UVA.

    *Ce logo n’est pas obligatoire. Il est seulement recommandé et utilisé par de nombreux professionnels, alors, gardez l'œil !

    Faites votre choix entre filtre organique et filtre minéral

    Les crèmes solaires utilisent des filtres qui peuvent être organiques ou minéraux. Il est possible que ces filtres soient combinés ou utilisés seuls.
    • Les filtres organiques (filtres chimiques) sont composés de molécules d’origine synthétique qui absorbent les rayons UV de manière “chimique” à la place de votre peau. Généralement, cette crème solaire est plus agréable à appliquer car elle est fluide et ne laisse pas de fine pellicule blanche sur la peau. Son efficacité opère à partir de 20 minutes après application. Toutefois, certains filtres chimiques peuvent être allergisants et causer des irritations.
    • Les filtres minéraux sont composés de matières minérales, que nous pouvons qualifier de naturelles. Contrairement aux filtres organiques, ils réfléchissent les rayons UV par une action mécanique, grâce à leurs composants : le dioxyde de zinc ou de titane. Ils agissent directement après application. Les filtres minéraux sont moins allergisants et sont conseillés pour les enfants et les peaux sensibles. Cependant, ils peuvent laisser une fine couche blanche sur la peau.

    Choisissez une texture adaptée à vos besoins et à vos envies

    Comme vous avez pu le remarquer, votre protection solaire peut prendre de nombreuses formes (spray, crème, lait, gel…) et votre choix dépendra de votre usage mais aussi de la zone d'applicationEn principe, lorsque la zone à protéger est grande, une texture plus fluide et facilement applicable est plus souhaitable. Voici des exemples d’usage :

    • Crème pour le visage
    • Spray ou lait pour le corps
    • Stick pour les zones fragiles (lèvres, nez, tatouages, cicatrices...)
    Vous pouvez également vous tourner vers des protections solaires résistantes à l’eau, qui correspondront mieux à vos activités extérieures :
    • "Water resistant" : SPF efficace à + de 70% après 40 minutes de baignade.
    • "Waterproof" : SPF efficace à + de 70% après 80 minutes de baignade.
    • "Sweatproof" : Résistant à la transpiration pendant 1 heure.

    Cependant, afin de maintenir une bonne qualité de protection, il est recommandé d’appliquer le produit après chaque baignade.

    La texture n’a pas de grande importance sur votre protection. Il est préférable de toujours se référer à l’indice indiqué sur votre produit, choisi selon votre phototype, et au niveau de rayonnement solaire extérieur.

    Afin de protéger toutes les parties de votre corps exposées aux rayonnements ultraviolets de façon plus durable qu'avec de la crème solaire, n'oubliez pas nos accessoires anti-UV ! Retrouvez notre sélection d'étoles et écharpes pour femmes et de tours de cou et bandanas pour homme.

    Etoles et foulards anti-UV femme - KER SUN

     

    SOURCES :

    How to recognise a melanoma?

    La méthode ABCDE

    Il est vrai que généralement les taches brunes, grains de beauté (nævus) ou excroissance sur votre peau sont inoffensifs, mais ce n’est pas toujours le cas. Nous allons donc vous présenter une méthode qui nous permettra de reconnaître les signes d’un mélanome.

    What is your phototype?

    Have you ever heard of phototype? Also known as the Fitzpatrick classification, it is a way of classifying the sensitivity of your skin to UV radiation.

    As you know, we are not all equal when it comes to the sun. From one skin to another, the production of melanin can be considerably different. There are 7 phototypes, including the very rare phototype 0, which corresponds to albinos.

    It is obvious today that a fair skin is much more sensitive to UV rays than a dark skin, nevertheless sun protection is strongly advised for all skin types, as the consequences of long exposure to the sun are present including skin ageing and skin cancers. For this reason, we encourage you to identify your phototype in order to provide you with advice on appropriate sun protection.

     

    Phototype 0 (very rare): very pale skin

    Physical characteristics: very pale skin, white (or pale yellow) hair and light coloured eyes.

    Phototype 0 is very rare and usually corresponds to people with albinism: a genetic mutation that directly affects the pigmentation of the skin by making it paler (or slightly pinker). Thus, the person with phototype 0 produces little or no melanin, which makes them extremely sensitive to the sun. The risk of burning or skin cancer is much greater.

     

    Phototype 1: very fair skin

    Physical characteristics: very light skin, red or blond hair, light eyes (blue or green), possible freckles and moles.

    Phototype 1 has quite sensitive skin and freckles may appear when exposed to the sun. In this case, the skin is unable to tan and can only withstand sunburn for 10 minutes at a UV index of 10.

     

    Phototype 2: very fair skin (possibly tanned)

    Physical characteristics: very fair skin, blond or light brown hair, blue, green or grey eyes, freckles visible in the sun, only slightly tanned.

    Phototype 2 and phototype 1 share many characteristics such as very fair skin and freckles that are visible in the sun. However, phototype 2 skin can tan, but is still very sensitive to UV radiation.

    Thus, it is not possible to tan without sunburns or burns that can occur after 10 to 20 minutes of exposure.

     

    Phototype 3: fair (or matt) skin

    Physical characteristics: fair (or dark) skin, blond to brown hair, few or no freckles.

    Unlike the previous phototypes, phototype 3 is intermediate. It has a skin that is more resistant to UV rays, so its tanning is average and burns are more moderate.

    Note that the consequences of sun exposure may vary for phototype 3, depending on hair or eye colour. Phototype 3s with blond hair or light eyes have a faster skin ageing process than brown people with dark eyes.

    However, it is important to remain vigilant, as sunburns can occur after about 20 minutes of exposure with a UV index of 10.

    Note that phototype 3 has an increased risk of skin cancer from 50 moles onwards and should be monitored by a specialist. 

     

    Phototype 4: matt skin

    Physical characteristics: dark skin, dark brown or brown hair, brown eyes

    Phototype 4 has a skin that is fairly resistant to the sun, it tans easily. It takes 30 minutes of exposure before you get sunburned with a UV index of 10.

    We advise you to remain cautious and to use sun protection according to the duration of your outdoor activities.

     

    Phototype 5: brown skin

    Physical characteristics: brown or dark skin, brown hair, brown eyes.

    Phototype 5 has a skin that is very resistant to UV rays, tans easily and only gets sunburned after 60 minutes of exposure.

    Same case as for phototype 4, a brown skin is not exempt from sun protection. Skin cancer can occur on all phototypes, even the darkest. Your skin may suffer from dryness and long-term ageing. Therefore, it is also important to moisturise your skin. 

     

    Phototype 6: black skin

    Physical characteristics: black skin, brown hair, brown eyes.

    Phototype 6 has a high resistance to the sun. Their skin produces much more melanin. The consequences of exposure only appear after 90 minutes. Indeed, phototype 6 will not get sunburned (or only slightly), however, it is possible to get blistering burns.

    Having black skin is not exempt from sun protection. The impact on skin ageing can be significant. Thus, sun protection should be prescribed. 

     

    Depending on my phototype, how long does it take me to burn?

    This curve is taken from the scientific study by J. F. Sánchez-Pérez, and shows us the time of exposure to get a sunburn according to one's phototype (1, 2, 3 or 4) and the UV index.

    The sun protection to be adapted will therefore depend on the phototype, the UV index and the exposure time. In summer, a UV index of 10 or 11 is common in France today.

     

    How to protect yourself from the sun?

    Good sun protection should not only depend on the phototype, but also on the exposure time and the UV index. It is clear from the study by J. F. Sánchez-Pérez that all phototypes can get sunburned.

    The WHO recommendations for sun protection are as follows:

     

    1. Monitor the UV index

    The UV index helps you plan your outdoor activities to avoid overexposure to the sun. It ranges from 1 to 12.

    While you should always take precautions against overexposure, take special care to adopt sun protection practices when the UV index predicts moderate or higher levels of exposure (level 3 and above).

     

    2.Limit time in the midday sun

    The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm. If possible, limit sun exposure during these hours, especially if the UV index is high and your phototype is light (see J. F. Sánchez-Pérez curve above).

     

    3.Limit time in the midday sun

    The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm. If possible, limit sun exposure during these hours, especially if the UV index is high and your phototype is light (see J. F. Sánchez-Pérez curve above).

     

    4.Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen

    Clothing and hats offer the best protection - the application of sunscreen becomes necessary on parts of the body that remain exposed such as the face and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong the duration of sun exposure.

    • Loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing will provide good protection from the sun. However, not all clothing protects in the same way, a UPF 50 rating on clothing or hats will give you effective protection, as it will block over 98% of UV rays. Whereas, for example, a linen shirt may have a UPF rating of 5 or less and will therefore allow more than 25% of UV to pass through;
    • A wide-brimmed hat offers good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, back or neck. Just like clothing, not all hats are equally protective. A UPF50 rating will give you optimum protection.
    • Sunglasses that offer 99-100% UV-A and UV-B protection significantly reduce eye damage caused by sun exposure.
    • Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+ (minimum) liberally to areas that remain exposed and apply every two hours, or after working, swimming, playing or exercising outdoors. A properly applied SPF15 means that your skin will take 15 times longer to burn than without protection. At Ker Sun, we recommend using SPF 30 or 50 because a sunscreen is never as well applied as it is in the lab and SPF 30 and 50 will give you more peace of mind and safety. Of course, don't forget sensitive areas such as the ears, nose, forehead, eyelids and lips.

     

    Why do we recommend sun protective clothing?

    Covering clothes give you some sun protection. But when temperatures rise, we like to dress more lightly in thinner fabrics.

    Most summer clothing fabrics do not filter UV rays very well. A linen shirt or a light cotton t-shirt will be pleasant to wear in hot weather, but with a low UPF level. Some UV will pass through and you may feel protected when you are not.

    For long exposure and for sensitive skin, it is therefore recommended to use UPF50+ certified sun protective clothing, which allows for a light and breathable fabric with a high level of sun protection.

     

    Sources :

    https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-sun-protection
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-36850-x
    Peau noire, phototype VI : les bons soins solaires - Marie Claire
    Phototype et indice de protection solaire - Conseils Bien-être (pharma-gdd.com)
    Les bons soins solaires pour une peau phototype IV - Marie Claire
    Peau claire à très claire, phototype 1 : la bonne protection solaire - Marie Claire
    Phototype de peau : de 0 à 6, comment savoir le sien ? (journaldesfemmes.fr)
    Peau et soleil - Le phototype : les différents types de peau - Fiches santé et conseils médicaux (lefigaro.fr)

    Where to find anti UV clothing?

    Although trendy and recommended by scientists and environmentalists, UV protective clothing is not yet widely used in our European countries.

    Asian and American countries have a lead in this field because in addition to protecting the skin, anti-UV clothing prevents premature aging of the skin and is also becoming a fashion phenomenon.

    In France, we can therefore find certain products in foreign brand stores, but these stores are not specialists in UV protection, the offer is limited and difficult to find. This is why Ker-Sun, a specialist in sun protection products, selects specific UV protection clothing from around the world. Brands like Columbia, Rip-Curl or Coolibar are now sold there.

    In order to adapt as closely as possible to the demands of its customers, Ker-Sun has also created its own clothing under the Nuvées brand in order to offer trendy and eco-responsible sun protection for clothing.

    The products found on Ker-Sun are comfortable, suitable for everyday or sports use.

    The delivery and exchange services are second to none. Customer satisfaction is Ker-Sun's number one goal and everything is done to make the customer feel confident..

    Discover the selections ofUV protection clothing KER-SUN for ideal protection from the sun! You will findclothing for women,man,child &baby

    Vetement anti UV Claudia - Veste anti UV & Legging anti-UV

    Claudia's tips for protecting yourself from the sun!

    Claudia UV protection - UV jacket & UV leggings

    I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2010 🐺 , which has changed my life a lot, among other things because sun exposure is dangerous.

    Over time, I have developed tips for protecting myself from the sun while still feeling like a woman and safe.

    Here is one of my tips for being well protected on a sunny day:

    I take advantage that since last summer long dresses are in fashion! I bought several. However, the fabric is not UV resistant so I don't feel safe. So I complete this dress with some anti-UV clothes:

    • For the bottom, I slip Anti-UV leggings under the dress for complete protection.
    • For the top, I put on a jacket made from a UPF 50+ certified fabric. It protects me well and is very light. I can take it anywhere. In addition, the fabric does not crease. It's very useful.
    • Normally I also always have a hat, but it is missing in this photo 😊 . The problem with the hat is that it is not always easy to carry. But since I found the foldable hats, I always have one in my bag!
    • For the face, I always put on a good dose of sunscreen. In general, I take the one with a little color (BB cream type).

    And now, voila !

    What are the differences between UPF and SPF?

    Between UPF and SPF (or SPF), the concept is essentially the same, protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays.

    UPF is to fabrics and clothing, what SPF is to creams, lotions and serums.

    UPF corresponds to tests carried out by spectrophotometer on a tissue. The UPF 25 index means that the fabric lets through 1/25 of UVA and UVB radiation. A UPF 50+ garment (maximum protection) will block at least 98% of UVA and UVB rays (only 2% of UVA and UVB rays pass through).

    SPF only measures the protection of the sunscreen against UVB rays, the scorching rays. When applied correctly, SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. The SPF index indicates the time that a person can expose themselves before being burned For example:SPF 25 means that if it takes 10 minutes to have a naked sunburn, with a sunscreen 25, it is necessary count 250 minutes.