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 Bharier/Frankel,
April 2003
Some common sense hints about sun protection.
- The skin "remembers" sun damage. In other words, the
effects of years of sun exposure are cumulative. For this reason,
it is essential to start protecting the skin from an early age.
It's easy to get sunburned on a cloudy or rainy day.
- Sun blocks sweat or wash off. Reapply every 2 hours when you
are outside, unless you are using a waterproof sun block, which
may require less frequent application.
- Use sun block every day, especially in the summer. Use sun blocks
which give good protection for UVA and UVB. The SPF number is
a measure of protection for UVB only. Use at least SPF 15, although
we prefer SPF 30 plus UVA protection. Most people do not put on
a thick enough layer of sun block.
- UVA protection is essential. There is no number equivalent to
the SPF for that. Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) or zinc oxide are good
UVA protectants.
- Use cover up clothing and wide brimmed hats. Tight knits are
more protective than loose knits.
- If you have a very sensitive skin, try to avoid outdoor activity
between the hours of 10 and 2 in the summer months, when the UVB
rays are strongest.
- Sun light is reflected upwards from the ground, especially highly
reflective surfaces such as sand, snow and ice. So a hat or umbrella
alone, while helpful, is not enough. Water absorbs ultraviolet
so one can get sunburned swimming underwater.
- Some medications may sensitize your skin to the sun. If you
are on new medications and seem to be burning more easily than
before, please discuss this with your doctor.
- Babies under 6 months should not be in the sun. However, if
they must be, remember to use a sun block that is sweat-proof
and lick-proof.
- Check your own moles regularly. Familiarize yourself with signs
of skin cancer. We have pictures and leaflets in the office. Report
any changes to us. Keep the recommended follow-up appointments
with us.
Questions
and Answers about sunscreens.
Q: What is an SPF?
A: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated
or classified by the SPF. These are numbers ranging from 2 through
50. These numbers refer to the sunscreen's ability to screen out
the harmful rays of the sun. If a sunscreen is rated 30 and a fair-skinned
person would normally turn red after 10 minutes outside (without
sunscreen on), then with the sunblock they can be outside for 30
X 10 or 300 minutes without burning. Essentially, it means you can
stay outside 30 times longer without burning, as long as you apply
your sunblock 30 minutes before going outside. Dermatologists recommend
using a sunscreen with a minimal SPF of 30 for ALL skin types.
Q: How does one select a sunscreen?
A: Sunscreens should be selected by skin type. The FDA (Food
and Drug Administration) recognizes 6 skin types created by the
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):
- Skin Type I: ALWAYS burns, NEVER tans, extremely sun-
sensitive (ex: redhead, freckles, Celtic, Irish or Scotch descent)
- Skin Type II: ALWAYS burns, tans minimally, very sun-
sensitive skin (ex: fair- skinned, fair-haired, blue- eyed caucasians)
- Skin Type III: sometimes burns, tans gradually to light
brown, sun-sensitive (ex: darker caucasians)
- Skin Type IV: burns minimally, always tans to a light
brown (ex: Mediterranean type)
- Skin Type V: rarely burns, tans well (ex: Middle Eastern,
Hispanic)
- Skin Type VI: NEVER burns, deeply pigmented (ex: people
of color)
A general rule of thumb is the lower the skin type, the higher
the SPF necessary. People usually underestimate their skin type,
so the AAD suggests using an SPF of 30 or higher.
Q: When should should sunscreen be used?
A: Sunscreens should be used on a daily basis, even when
it is cloudy or raining. Sunscreens used daily are the principal
means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer. They may actually
repair the sundamaged skin. Remember that the sun's reflective powers
are great: 17% on sand, and 80% on snow. Even on a cloudy day, 80%
of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.
Q: How much sunscreen should I use and how often do I have
to reapply it?
A: Sunscreens should be applied to clean dry skin 30 minutes
BEFORE leaving the house. Pay particular attention to the face,
hands, ears, and the back of the neck. Apply liberally (1 ounce
in considered the amount that is needed to cover the body properly).
Lips should be protected with a lip balm that contains sunscreen
with an SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreens should be reapplied after
swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so- called waterproof sunscreens
may lose their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water (Elta
Block 30 is waterproof for up to 6 hours in the water). Remember
that sun-exposure occurs every day, even while taking a walk at
lunchtime.
Q: Is there a safe way to tan?
A: There is NO safe way to tan. A suntan is the skin's response
to an injury. Tanning occurs when the sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate
through the skin's inner layer which causes the skin to produce
melanin as a response to the injury. Chronic exposure to the sun
results in a change in the skin's texture, causing excessive wrinkling
and uneven thickening and thinning of the skin.
Q: Are tanning parlors a safe way to get a tan?
A: In spite of the claims that tanning booths offer a "safe"
tan, long-term exposure can cause cataracts, premature aging of
the skin, and skin cancers. Tanning booths emit UVA radiation which
can pose both short and long-term risks to the skin.
Q: How do I treat a sunburn?
A: In case you forget to use sunscreen and find yourself
with a burn, remember it can be dangerous. There are several degrees
of burn.
- First-degree sunburns cause redness of the skin. They will heal
within a few days, with some peeling. They can be painful and
are best treated with cool baths, Domeboro, and bland moisturizers.
AVOID the "caine" products which can cause sensitivity
to a broad range of important chemicals. Aspirin taken before
sun-exposure may delay the development of a sunburn.
- Second-degree sunburns blister and can be a medical emergency
if large areas are affected. If the burn is severe, accompanied
by a headache, chills, or fever, seek medical attention immediately.
Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter.
It is a well known fact that one severe childhood or adolescent
sunburn is associated with the chance of developing Malignant
Melanoma in later life.
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