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Sun and Your Skin: Don't Be Caught Off Guard
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Warmer weather has brought a return to the outdoor activities we
look forward to all winter—and also, the risk of too much sun
exposure.
Awareness of the serious consequences of sun exposure, including skin cancer and premature aging, has increased over the years, but skin cancer is still on the rise.
AVOIDING PROBLEMS: PROTECT YOUR SKIN
The best defense against the harmful effects of the sun is to block its contact with your skin. Experts suggest avoiding the sun altogether when the rays are strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Otherwise, the most effective method of protection, according to David A. Fisher, M.D., a dermatologist on staff at John Muir Health, is to use clothing as a barrier. "Hats, long sleeves, and long pants are the very best means of protection," he says.
Besides protective clothing, use of a sunscreen is important. One of the most common mistakes people make with it, says Dr. Fisher, is that they don't reapply it often enough. "If you swim, reapply your sunscreen. If you are sweating profusely, reapply it. You should cover yourself again every three hours or so. It's not worth the risk of a sunburn."
HARMS OF EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE
Repeated exposure to the sun enhances aging of the skin by drying it and speeding the development of wrinkles. Sunburn of the skin is also very harmful, and can leave scarring and other effects. The most serious risk of sun exposure is an increased risk of getting skin cancer. Even sunscreen cannot fully protect your skin.
There are three types of skin cancer, all linked to sun exposure: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The most common is basal cell carcinoma.
The incidence of melanoma is increasing dramatically. While doctors once rarely saw melanoma patients under age 40, today people in their 20s are being treated for the disease.
HOW DO SUNSCREENS WORK, AND WHAT IS SPF?
Sunscreens are protective lotions that block ultraviolet rays before they can penetrate the skin. They allow people to be out in the sun for a longer period before burning.
The term "SPF" means sun protection factor, with higher numbers meaning greater protection. An SPF of 15 or more is recommended by physicians. This means that a person with fair skin who normally burns in 20 minutes of midday sun can be exposed to 300 minutes of sun without burning when using an SPF of 15 (15 times 20 minutes).
Doctors agree that people should look for sunscreens that block a wide spectrum of ultraviolet radiation and offer protection from two types of wavelengths, UVA and UVB rays.
SUN PROTECTION AND CHILDREN
Children are particularly vulnerable to the harms of overexposure. Estimates show that humans get about 80 percent of their exposure to the sun before age 18. A bad sunburn in childhood, according to Dr. Fisher, can increase the propensity of developing melanoma later in life.
A good habit to develop early on is to protect your children's skin before exposure to the sun with sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and cover-ups, and make it part of the routine of going outside.
As with adults, children with fairer skin are at higher risk of sunburn, including those with freckles and red hair. "If they are getting pink in the sun, you are not doing enough to protect them," says Curtis A. Raskin, M.D., chief of Dermatology at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus.
"There is no 'safe' tan," he adds. "Any exposure to UV light is radiation, and prolonged exposure in your younger years can be dangerous in your 40s or 50s."
MEDICATIONS AND SUN EXPOSURE
Some common medications can affect your tolerance of the sun. Dr. Raskin warns that those using Retin-AŽ or AccutaneŽ can have reduced protection from burning, and that drugs such as tetracycline or doxycycline (often used by teens for acne) could also have a photosensitizing effect.
RECOGNIZING CANCERS
Physicians urge anyone who is exposed to the sun to check their skin regularly for the early signs of cancer. It can appear as just a discoloration of the skin. Any changes in the size, shape, color or thickness of moles, birthmarks, or other irregularities may also be cause for concern. An irregular outline or multicolored patch, or pain, itching, scabbing or bleeding, should be brought to a doctor's attention without delay.