Skin Care
Be Sun Smart This Summer and Protect Your Skin
By
May 31, 2009 - 12:24:59 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - With the warm summer months upon us, many people plan to spend more time outdoors. You can have fun in the sun, but it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. (David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, President of the American Academy of Dermatology)

Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays, ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays can cause premature aging, such as wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays and are the primary cause of sunburn. Both forms of ultraviolet light are linked to the development of skin cancer.

Sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer. Sunscreen should be applied every day to exposed skin. One ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Sunscreens can be applied under makeup, or alternatively, there are many skin care products available that contain sunscreens for daily use. Remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied approximately every two hours to remain effective.

Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Be sure to apply it to all exposed areas and pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands and arms. Coat the skin liberally and rub it in thoroughly -- most people apply only 25-50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. Don’t forget that lips get sunburned too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Unless indicated by an expiration date, the FDA requires that all sunscreens be stable and at their original strength for at least three years. While you can use the sunscreen that you bought last summer, keep in mind that if you are using the appropriate amount, a bottle of sunscreen should not last very long.

Since sun exposure is responsible for vitamin D production in the skin, wearing sunscreen will decrease the skin’s production of vitamin D. Individuals who wear sunscreen and are concerned that they are not getting enough vitamin D should discuss their options for obtaining sufficient vitamin D from foods and/or vitamin supplements with their doctor.

It’s never too late to protect yourself and minimize your future risk of skin cancer. Here’s how to Be Sun SmartTM:

Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. 

Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Check the American Academy of Dermatology’s Web site (www.aad.org) for the latest list of sun-protective products that meet the stringent, evidence-based criteria of the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION®.

If you forget to cover up and apply sunscreen, the resulting sunburn can be painful as well as dangerous. The two most common sunburns are first-degree burns and second-degree burns.

First-degree sunburns cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. These can be painful and are best treated with cool baths and moisturizers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams.

Avoid the use of “-caine” products (such as benzocaine), which may cause sensitivity to a broad range of chemicals. Anti-inflammatory oral medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may lessen the pain and discomfort associated with a sunburn.

Second-degree sunburns blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. Do not break the blisters, as they are a natural protective mechanism to heal the affected area and rupturing them delays the healing process and invites potential infection. A layer of gauze may be used to cover the area until it heals. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter.

www.aad.org

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