Outdoor sports: how to protect your skin from the sun with dermatologist Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier
In this episode, I welcome dermatologist Dr. Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier to talk about outdoor sports, skin and sun protection. A rich learning experience!
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Episode summary
Dermatologist and passionate runner, Dr. Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier deciphers the challenges of sun protection for athletes. Between preconceived ideas and technical advice, she provides the keys to reconciling performance and skin health.
Expertise at the service of athletes
Dr. Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier has an interesting background: after many years’ experience in hospitals and the dermo-cosmetics industry, she now works in private practice and at INSEP, where she looks after the skin of top-level athletes. Her dual role as dermatologist and trail runner enables her to approach the question of sunlight from a very practical angle. “ We’re seeing more and more athletes with sun-related pathologies “, she observes, citing skin cancer and premature skin ageing as major consequences of prolonged unprotected exposure.
Understanding UV rays: UVA vs UVB
Protection begins with understanding the threats. Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier distinguishes between two types of ray:
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- UVB: Responsible for sunburn, they are more intense in summer, at altitude and between 12 and 4pm.
- UVA: present all year round, even on cloudy days, it penetrates more deeply and is the main cause of skin ageing and cancer.
” The cloud will actually block the sensation of heat… but the UV rays will pass through ,” she warns. Altitude is also an aggravating factor: the UV index increases by 10% for every 1,000 metres of ascent.
Protection strategy: textiles first
For some, sunscreen is intuitively the last line of defence. The dermatologist advocates a clear hierarchy:
- Textiles: This is the most effective form of protection. She recommends technical clothing with a UPF 50 index, which blocks 98% of UV rays.
- Hats and goggles: Essential to protect scalp, ears and eyes.
- Sunscreen: For areas that cannot be covered (face, hands, legs).
Practical tips for sporting activities
For athletes, applying sunscreen presents logistical challenges (sweating, stinging eyes). The doctor provides specific solutions:
- The stick format: Ideal for the face, it “runs” much less and allows precise application without getting your hands full.
- Index 50+: This is the standard to adopt for outdoor use, because “we always use less than we should”.
- Forgotten areas: Ears, nape of the neck, back of hands and scalp (for those with fine or short hair).
Training, the key moment
Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier insists on a fundamental distinction between competition and preparation. ” Training is the majority of our sporting time. So we really have to focus on training. “. While the logistics of a race can make protection complex, there’s no excuse for daily outings.
Its final message is an invitation to responsible vigilance: enjoy the outdoors while being “strict” about your protection to preserve your health capital over the long term.