According to a study carried out by OpinionWay for the FEBEA, consumers are still finding it difficult to protect themselves properly against the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun. The Federation organized a digital press workshop on June 27, 2024 to comment on the results of this survey.
“Every year, the WHO alerts public opinion to the risks of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is responsible for the majority of the 140,000 to 250,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in France,” explains FEBEA. “Yet nearly 40% of French people still believe they don’t need sun cream. More scrupulous with their children, they too often neglect professional recommendations, and 7% of French people still don’t protect their children from the sun.”
Nine out of ten French people think it’s vital to protect themselves from UV radiation with the right products, but the extent to which they do so varies according to exposure location, gender and age. They are more assiduous at the seaside or swimming pool (83%) than in a park (69%).
“While the French are fortunately more conscientious with their children (almost all French people are convinced that it’s essential to protect the youngest), 40% still don’t use the right gestures. 7% of French people say they never apply cream to their children,” adds the FEBEA. “Until puberty, the skin and eyes are fragile and more sensitive to UV rays. Sunburn and repeated exposure are a major cause of skin cancer (melanoma) in adulthood.”
