Sun Protection

Why protect your skin from sun?

The vast majority of skin cancers are due to unprotected ultraviolet radiation exposure. Most of this radiation comes from sunlight, but some may come from artificial sources, such as tanning booths. The amount of UV exposure depends on the strength of the light, the length of exposure, and whether the skin is protected.

What happens with overexposure to UV rays?

The short term results are sunburn and tanning. The long-term results are prematurely aged skin, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark patches, and skin cancer.

Besides skin cancer, UV radiation also increases the risk of cataracts and certain eye problems, and can supporess the immune systems.

Are any UV rays safe?

UVB radiation is well known to cause damage to the DNA of skin cells. Skin cancers develop when this damage affects the DNA of genes that control growth and division of skin cells. Recent research has found that UVA also contributes to skin cancer formation. Scientists now believe that both UVA and UVB rays contribute to skin damage, including skin cancer. There are NO safe UV rays.

You need to be especially careful in the sun if you:

• have lots of moles, irregular moles or large moles
• were previously treated for skin cancer
• work indoors all week and then get tan on weekends
• live or vacation in tropical or subtropical climates
• have freckles or burn before tanning
• have fair skin; or blond, red or light brown hair
• have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
• live or vacation at high altitutdes
• spend a lot of time outdoors
• that medications that reduce immunity

How do I protect myself from UV?

It is impossible to completely avoid sunlight and it would be unwise to reduce your level of activity because you don't want to be outdoors. But there are precautions that you can take.

• Limit direct sun exposure during midday
• Cover up: Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible.
• Wear a hat
• Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher
• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths
• Check your skin regularly for abnormal changes

The ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma:

• A: Asymmetry—One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
• B: Border—The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
• C: Color—The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue.
• D: Diameter—The area is larger than 6 mm or is growing larger.