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Suntan & Sunburn

Your SkinSkin Cancer
Avoid getting a suntan and sunburn!! The most serious consequence of overexposure to the sun is skin cancer, a delayed effect that usually does not show up for many years. Even a few serious sunburns can increase a person's risk for skin cancer.


Childhood Sunburns
Many dermatologists believe that there may be a link between childhood sunburns and melanoma later in life. Linda L. Lutz, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, says, "Most of the sun damage we receive is before age 20.


Your SkinMelanoma
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Melanoma, the most serious type, accounts for about 5 percent of cases.


There will be about 47,700 new cases of melanoma in this country in 2009, and 7,700 people are expected to die of the disease.


Your SkinHarmful rays from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds, even tanning without burning, can still damage skin tissue and cause premature aging of the skin - wrinkles, or leathery skin, sagging, uneven texture and coloring, and give you unsightly skin spots, weaken your immune system, cause eye problems, skin cancer, and lip cancer.


Your SkinMedications
Many medications, and medicines used to treat acne, such as retinoic acid and antibiotic pills, can make you more prone to sunburn. Wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while using them.


Your SkinFoods
Foods such as celery and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort both contain chemicals that react to sunlight.


Your SkinBenzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide can increase your sensitivity to sun, causing you to burn more easily. If you use a product with benzoyl peroxide remember to wear sunscreen during the day to protect your skin.


Your SkinSunscreen
Sunscreen is a substance that blocks the effects of the sun's harmful rays. Using a sunscreen product can reduce the risk of skin cancer.


Your SkinSun Protection Factor (SPF)
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates the degree of protection the sunscreen provides. For example, a sunscreen product with an SPF of 4 provides the least protection. A sunscreen product with an SPF of at least 15 or higher provides more protection. SPF is based on how long unprotected skin takes to burn when exposed to artificial sunlight.


Your SkinBlemishes and Scars
While a sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes and scars less apparent and make the skin feel drier, these benefits are only temporary. Sunburn and tanning may actually make acne worse, causing the skin to increase sebum production, which is one of the factors that lead to acne in the first place. Also, many acne treatments make skin sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays.


Your SkinKeloid
Exposure to the sun during the first year of a keloids formation will cause the keloid to tan darker than surrounding skin. This dark coloration may become permanent. Discoloration from sun exposure can be prevented by covering the forming keloid with a patch or bandage, and by using a sunscreen product when spending time in the sun. A keloid is a thick overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.


Your SkinAlpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
If you use alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) products, it is important to use sun protection, including a sun screen product, even if you haven't used the AHA product that day. If the AHA contains a sunscreen, it is suggested that applying an additional sunscreen product of SPF 15 or higher before going into the sun will be beneficial. Even though your AHA product may contain sunscreen, it is primarily a skin treatment product - not a means of sun protection. If you use the AHA at bedtime, be sure to apply an additional sunscreen product in the morning before going into the sun.


Your SkinPremature Aging
Sunlight reduces the skin's elasticity, leading to premature aging in the form of early wrinkles. Since sun damage may not be immediately visible, many people don't realize the dangers of tanning. In fact, any tan is a sign of adaptation of the skin to potentially damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional coloring (pigment) to protect itself against sunburn.


Your SkinUltraviolet (UV) Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the sun's harmful rays, the "invisible rays" that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can seriously threaten your health. UV rays can cause cancer by damaging cells' genetic material. The damage allows cells to form cancerous tumors. Also, reflective surfaces intensify UV exposure to varying degrees. Water, snow, and sand reflect the most.

Sunburn is associated with the shorter wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, known as ultraviolet B (UVB). Also, the longer wavelengths, known as ultraviolet A (UVA), can penetrate the skin and damage connective tissue at deeper levels, even if the skin's surface feels cool. It is important to limit exposure to both UVA and UVB.

UV rays have wavelengths shorter than visible light. UV radiation is made up of three parts, grouped by wavelength from longest to shortest:

  • UVA: Wavelengths from 320 - 400 nanometers (nm). It passes right through the Earth's ozone layer. UVA can cause early aging of the skin. Originally believed to be harmless but now believed to cause skin damage.
  • UVB: Wavelengths of 280 - 320 nanometers (nm). It does not go as deeply into the skin as UVA does. Causes skin damage, sunburn, and skin cancer. It might also be involved with cataracts - a clouding of the lens of the eye that can lead to blindness. The ozone layer absorbs most of the sun's UVB, but even then the small amount of UVB rays can do substantial damage. Also, with the possibility of the thinning of the ozone layer, more UVB rays might result in more damage.
  • UVC: Wavelengths shorter than 280 nanometers (nm). It is dangerous to people, but none reaches the Earth's surface - it is all absorbed by the ozone layer.

UV Radiation


Your SkinSunlamps
Sunlamps used for tanning produce ultraviolet (UV) radiation. FDA policies require sunlamp product manufacturers to develop an exposure schedule and establish a maximum recommended exposure time based on the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emission characteristics of their products. The agency also warns that, while some tanning operators may claim that UVA sunlamps are safer than both the sun and UVB lamps, this has not been definitely shown. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlamps adds to the total amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation people get from the sun during their lifetimes, potentially increasing their risk of cancer.


Your SkinRisks of UV radiation Include:

  • Skin cancer, the most dangerous and deadly risk
  • Sunburn
  • Premature (early) wrinkling and sagging of skin
  • Sun sensitivity - how sensitive ones' skin is to the sun (burn)
  • Immune system depression - this can put you at greater risk of getting sick
  • Eye damage, cataracts

The summer season is an obvious time for sun safety with picnics, trips to the pool and beach, but winter skiers and fall hikers need to be as wary of the sun's rays as swimmers do. People who work outdoors need to take precautions as well.


Your SkinSun Protection
It is wise to use sun protection before going into the sun (daylight). Adequate sun protection includes:

  • Wearing a hat with a brim of at least four inches, about ten centimeters.
  • Wearing lightweight sun protective clothing, such as loose fitting, long sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
  • Applying a sunscreen product with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 or higher.
  • Limit exposure to the sun during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Try to stay in the shade as much as you can, especially from the midday sun.

Your SkinCheck For Skin Cancer
Check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer. Look for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. If you find any changes or find sores that are not healing, see your doctor.

References:
1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - April 2009 - www.womenshealth.gov
2) EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) - SunWise Program - January, 2009 - www.epa.gov
3) EXCITE - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - August 2004 - www.cdc.gov/excite

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