Do we really need sunscreen? How much SPF do we need? Sunburn & Skin Cancer…
To answer these questions we need to know a little about what UV rays are and what they do to our bodies.
UVA & UVB Rays:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the part of sunlight that causes skin cancer and skin aging. We can’t see or feel UV rays and they can burn or damage our skin even on cloudy days. UVA radiation makes up 95% of the UV rays that make it through the Earth’s atmosphere. They pass through glass & penetrate deep into the skin causing collagen & elastin damage, leading to wrinkles. UVA rays are the rays that cause skin to tan & are the primary rays used in tanning beds.
UVA rays combined with UVB rays cause more serious problems such as skin cancer. UVB radiation makes up only 5% of the UV rays from the sun. UVB damages skin cells and causes DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. UVB rays can also cause cataracts by damaging the proteins in your eyes lens.
Let’s Talk a Little About Sunburn and skin cancer…
Repeat sunburns contribute to skin cancer. Even if it’s not a blistering sunburn it causes damage to the skin cells that can lead to skin cancer. This is because each time we experience sunburn, our skin cells DNA gets damaged and eventually the damage becomes severe enough that skin cells begin to grow uncontrollably, potentially leading to skin cancer. The more sunburns a person experiences, the greater the cumulative DNA damage and the higher the risk of skin cancer.
Risk Factors for Skin Cancer:
Fair Skin: Individuals with fair skin that burns easily are more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer.
Light-Colored Hair and Eyes: People with red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes are also at higher risk.
History of Sunburns: A history of sunburns, especially blistering sunburns, significantly increases the risk.
Family History: A family history of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, increases an individual's risk.
Excessive Sun Exposure: Prolonged or intense sun exposure, including from sunbeds, elevates the risk.
What skin changes should we be watching for as we age and when should we be notifying our doctor of these changes?
The American Cancer Society Website has some very useful resources such as pictures and descriptions of the different types of skin cancers and what to look for. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types. The American Cancer Society recommends doing regular skin self-exams and gives the following signs & symptoms to watch for when doing your skin exams at home:
A new, expanding, or changing growth, spot, or bump on the skin
A sore that bleeds and/or doesn’t heal after several weeks
A rough or scaly red patch, which might crust or bleed
A wart-like growth
A mole (or other spot on the skin) that’s new or changing in size, shape, or color
A mole with an odd shape, irregular borders, or areas of different colors
Do We Really Need Sunscreen?
The best way to protect yourself from UV radiation is to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UVB rays are at their highest intensity. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can penetrate clouds and damage your skin. If you are unable to stay indoors during peak hours, It is recommended that sunscreen be worn every day, not just during the summer, if you have prolonged exposure to UVA & UVB rays. Sunscreen helps protect us from skin cancer, premature aging & sunburn.
A tip that I give to guests visiting me in sunny Florida…put the sunscreen on like body lotion before you put your swimsuit on to go to the beach. I do this for 2 reasons. 1) I hate getting sand in my sunscreen when I’m trying to apply it at the beach (it’s already on when I get there), and 2) I know I have fully covered my body at least once before heading out into the bright, hot sun. After that it’s just a matter of trying to keep up with reapplying. That’s when I use the sunscreen spray. It’s much easier to deal with. You also have to apply a liberal amount of the spray and rub it in like lotion for it to properly protect your skin.
Another tip…If you’re going to be somewhere that you are outside for a prolonged time, take something to provide shade. Have short periods of sun exposure for recreation, then sit under the shade to allow your skin to cool off. Use this time to hydrate and reapply your sunscreen. You can still get your suntan if you’re at the beach, but there is no need to get a sunburn.
How much SPF coverage do we need in our sunscreen?
No sunscreen blocks 100% of the sun. A broad-spectrum SPF of 30-50 is generally recommended. Broad spectrum means blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher are recommended for daily use and extended outdoor activities and block about 97% or more of UVB rays. A higher SPF does not mean that you will be protected from the sun for a longer time. Protection typically lasts two hours or less for all sunscreens. Read the product labels to find out how frequently each product recommends reapplying. There are many different types of sunscreens on the market that provide a range of coverage needs and times.
References:
Alexander, H. (2019, June). What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays? MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/what-s-the-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays-.h15-1592991.htm
Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Early Detection. (n.d.). Www.cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
Dixon, M. (2020). Myth or Fact: Coconut oil is an effective sunscreen - Mayo Clinic Health System. Mayoclinichealthsystem.org. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/myth-or-fact-coconut-is-an-effective-sunscreen
how much spf protection do we really need? - Google Search. (2018). Google.com. https://www.google.com/search?q=how+much+spf+protection+do+we+really+need%3F&oq=how+much+spf+protection+do+we+really+need%3F&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRifBTIHCAIQIRifBdIBCTE0NjA1ajBqMagCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8