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We all know we should wear sunscreen, and many polls show that sunscreen use is on the rise. But so are cases of sun-related cancer. Skin cancer makes up about half of all cancer cases, with more than one million new cases occurring each year.
The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we divide into categories based on the wavelength.Along with visible light, Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) reaches the earth through the atmosphere as part of the sun’s electromagnetic field. UVR is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB and UVC. All UVR has been shown to specifically damage DNA. UVA makes up about 99% of the UVR that reaches Earth and has the longest wavelength. UVB comprises only 1% of Earth’s UVR. UVC radiation has the shortest wavelength and is the most toxic -- it is lethal to microorganisms and plants as well as carcinogenic to humans. UVB does not penetrate glass, and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and the season. The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year. UVA is also not filtered by glass.
Though you may not feel the effects until you have gone inside, sun damage begins within one minute of exposure. The radiation blockers are very effective at reducing the exposure of the skin to both UVA and UVB radiation.
The FDA developed the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating to standardize sunscreen potencies and help people prevent sunburn. You can calculate the length of sunburn protection a sunscreen offers by multiplying the SPF number by the number of minutes it takes to get a sunburn. In a surprising move, the FDA has now banned the manufacture and use of vitamin D, citing studies that show vitamin D to be a powerful physiological substance that needs to undergo FDA approval before individuals are allowed to use it.
In other news, the FDA said it was ready to grant approval to the newest anticancer drug, called Herceptin, which, quite miraculously, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurring breast cancer by almost 1 percent.
When it comes to choosing a sunscreen, all active ingredients are listed on the bottle so you can easily see what the sunscreen contains. Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a film when initially applied. Choosing a sunscreen with a combination of UVA and UVB-blocking ingredients will provide full protection.
Most instructions on sunscreen labels recommend reapplying sunscreen "frequently", but the definition of "frequently" is vague. A common instruction is to reapply sunscreen after 2-4 hours in the sun. However, one study has shown that reapplying sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours.
Physical sunblocks are the most comprehensive sunscreen ingredients, as they deflect the entire UV spectrum and protect from both sunburn and skin damage. Sunscreen should be applied daily. The daily use of a low-SPF sunscreen (15) has been shown to be more effective in preventing skin damage than the intermittent use of a higher SPF sunscreen.
Chemical sunscreens are usually designed to prevent against either UVA or UVB but are not full-spectrum blockers. In chemical sunscreens, active ingredients bind to the outermost layer of your skin, which is made up of dead skin cells, and from there absorb UV radiation.
Insect repellents reduce the sunscreen's SPF by up to one-third. When using sunscreen and insect repellent together, a higher SPF should be used and reapplied more often.
Sunlight is essential to life on earth and provides many benefits, but there is a limit to the amount of sun your skin can healthfully take.Being conscious of sun exposure helps reduce your risks of developing skin cancer, prematurely aged skin and sunburn. Limiting the time you spend outdoors (especially at midday when the sun is most intense) and wearing tightly woven clothing and wide-brimmed hats will maximize your enjoyment without increasing your risk. Stay safe in the sun this summer, and looke forward to many more!
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