Sun and Tanning
Take sensible precautions to avoid sunburn, particularly in children.
Limit unprotected exposure to solar radiation, especially during
the hottest midday hours between 10am and 2pm.
Seek shade wherever possible, but remember sunburn can occur even
while in partial shade.
Sunburn can also occur while in the water, and can be equally damaging
from the high level of reflected UV radiation off snow or sand.
Covering your head with a wide-brimmed hat or cap, reduces exposure
to the face, head and neck.
Cover exposed skin with protective clothing, such as long-sleeved
shirts.
Sunglasses should be designed to exclude both direct and peripheral
exposure of the eye.
Apply sunscreen with high SPFs (minimum 15), to uncovered skin.
Apply generously, and reapply frequently.
Certain prescribed drugs, medicines and cosmetics may make you more
sensitive to sunlight.
FACTS ABOUT SUN PROTECTION
Sunlight is essential to all life on earth, and most of its effects
are beneficial. However, a component of sunlight that is invisible
to our eyes is ultraviolet, or UV light. As we travel to hotter
climates on vacations, and suntan as often as possible, incidences
of skin cancer rise dramatically. Research shows that nearly all
skin cancers are caused by the sun, and fall into two main types:
Non-melanomas, although rarely fatal, account for about 5% of registered
malignancies, and predominantly affect the elderly. Malignant melanomas,
on the other hand, occur in a much younger age group, and account
for just under 10% of cancers in the 20- 39 age group. This rate
has doubled over the last fifteen years and is now the cause of
1 in 25 cancer deaths in this age group. Taking more care of our
skin in the sun could help to drastically reduce this statistic.
Sunlight contains two types of UV radiation, known simply as UVA
and UVB. Both types cause changes to the skin, but there are important
differences. Remember: A is for Aging, B for Burning. UVA penetrates
deeply, leading to drying, wrinkling, sagging (from reduced elasticity)
and blemishes (such as ‘liver spots’). UVB, produces
surface damage ranging from a slight redness to severe blistering.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a cream or lotion, indicates
the level of protection offered against the effects of prolonged
exposure to sunlight. It is the ratio of the UV exposure needed
to produce minimal erythema (redness) on a skin site protected by
the sun cream, compared to the UV exposure needed to produce comparable
erythema on unprotected skin. The greater the SPF number, the longer
the skin can be exposed to direct sunlight without damage. Nevertheless,
even when using a good sunscreen, common sense is vital!
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