SKIING IN THE SUN

Skin protection? In March? Not only are skiers exposed to several hours of intense sunshine every day, but also to the secondary effect of reflected ultraviolet rays. Snow can reflect up to 85 % of the harmful UVA radiation, which is not only responsible for premature aging of the skin, but also contributes to and may even trigger the development of skin cancer. UVA radiation can penetrate to reach the deeper layers of the skin, and although it is less intense than UVB radiation, it is present during all daylight hours throughout the whole year and can even penetrate clouds. When damage has been done to the skin, it is often hard to reverse. A case of prevention is really better than cure.

Pharmacy customer: Hello.
PTA: Hello. What can I do for you?

We are going on holiday next week and I thought that I would stock up on skincare products for the trip.
Do you mind me asking where you are going on holiday?

Not at all. We are going on a skiing holiday with some friends. This is actually our first skiing holiday. Our friends have been telling us for years about their favourite resort, which is why we’ve decided to try it out this year. It’s in the French Alps.
Wonderful! You are lucky. Do you speak French?

No, I don’t and neither does my husband.
Another reason for getting your skincare articles here!

Oh, you’re right there!
So, let’s see. You’ll be needing sunscreen. I think a protection factor of 30 or so should help. Sunscreen!

Really? In the snow, in March?
Yes, the sun is the same one! And, as there is virtually no shade on ski runs and slopes, you are exposed for very long periods not only to the sun but also to the rays reflected by the snow.

I see. So, I’ll take one for myself and one for my husband.
We also have these mini, combination tubes. The sunscreen is in the tube, and there’s a lip balm with a high ultraviolet protection factor. I find it very useful as it fits into a small jacket pocket.

Now, that is a good idea. Do you also have that white stuff that people put on the noses and even on their lips? I have no idea what it’s called.
You mean zinc oxide. Yes, that is effective. It is very safe to use and protects your nose, lips and cheeks from the extremes of cold, sun and wind.

I know you’ve been really kind and patient, but do you have any more advice as regards to sun care?
Certainly, just as in the summer, you should apply your sunscreen and lip UVP regularly. In the evening, the après ski time, you should really keep a good skincare regimen, that is, cleansing and moisturizing religiously! After all, there’s no point in taking these precautions against skin aging and then not …

…Keeping it up at night when the skin has a chance to regenerate.
Exactly! Here are your purchases.

Thank you. You’re very helpful.
Don’t mention it, goodbye. Have a nice holiday.

Thank you, bye.

Vocabulary

opportunity Gelegenheit
gear Klamotten
exposed ausgesetzt
premature vorzeitig
trigger Auslöser
penetrate eindringen, durchdringen
to reverse umkehren
stock up auffüllen
skincare Hautpflege
sunscreen Sonnenschutz
virtually no so gut wie kein
shade Schatten
ski runs and slopes Skipisten
lip balm Lippenbalsam, -pflegestift
stuff Zeug, Kram
regimen gesunde Lebensweise
cleansing (Haut)Reinigung
moisturizing Feuchtigscreme anwenden
precautions Vorsichtsmaßnahmen
purchases Einkäufe

Den Artikel finden Sie auch in Die PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 03/12 auf Seite 94.

Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker