Naturist? How do you protect your private parts from the sun? Here are the answers to the questions you’re afraid to ask.
By the way, what is a tan?
Beyond the pretty golden color the sun gives you, tanning is above all a defense mechanism. Darkening the skin creates additional protection against UV rays. This phenomenon is produced by the secretion of melanin from skin cells at the moment of exposure to the sun. The melanin then migrates to protect the skin’s DNA from the genetic mutations that cause skin cancer.
What are the risks of sun exposure?
No matter what part of the body you’re in, skin exposed to the sun is subject to 3 types of risk:
- Cumulative risk: regular exposure to the sun (particularly on certain parts of the body that are less likely to be protected) does nothing to protect the skin – quite the opposite, in fact. It doesn’t work like leather, which tans and strengthens over time.
- The risk of burning: sunburn is very bad for the skin and can have irreversible effects. Pay particular attention to the thinner parts of your body and those that are less often exposed (those usually under your bathing suit). Every sunburn increases the risk of melanoma, so it’s important to protect yourself with sunscreen everywhere you go.
- The risk of brief, intense exposure: when you’re on vacation, you want to make the most of the time you have to tan, and tend to expose yourself intensely in a very short space of time. Once again, this is a mistake, and the desire to tan often means forgetting to apply sunscreen.
It’s also important to remember that the sun’s rays are responsible for skin ageing, so be careful where you expose your skin.
Careful with your private parts
The parts most exposed to the sun are the most vulnerable. For men, this means the penis and especially the tip of the penis, the glans. Whether you’re circumcised or not, the risk is the same. The testicles, on the other hand, are protected by the scrotum. However, the scrotum is a very thin envelope of skin, and the mucous membranes are not very far away. Be aware that both the penis and the glans are parts of the body that can tan (although the glans will tan less due to the absence of hair, as it is in the hair follicle that melanocytes, the cells that secrete melanin, are found). In all cases, protect your penis and glans with sunscreen. What about the anus? Some influencers believe it has certain benefits…
For women, it’s the same thing: it’s the visible parts that are going to be exposed: pubis and labia majora. These are the parts that need to be protected. The most sensitive parts (labia minora, clitoris and vaginal mucosa) are protected by the labia majora, so are not exposed to the sun. In the case of total hair removal, the irritation generated immediately afterwards will make the pubic skin more sensitive. So don’t hesitate to use SPF 50 sun cream.
Nude or not, the rule for tanning is the same: sun protection is essential. Choose a factor according to your skin type, and apply regularly and generously. Just be careful to avoid using it on mucous membranes (but protect yourself on all other areas).
