Being outdoors is part of day-to-day life in the summer, but you need to be smart about your sun exposure. You may experience nothing more than a tan, but more serious skin effects can occur such as sunburn, sun-aged skin, and even skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers in Canada, but it is the most easily prevented and treated. About 800,000 new cases are seen each year and with the exception of malignant melanoma, skin cancer has a cure rate of about 95 per cent!
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It is repeated exposure to the ultraviolet or UV portion of the sun’s rays that causes both sunburn and skin cancer. Two components of UV light, namely UVA and UVB, cause most problems, and people with fairer skin and light complexions are most at risk. These individuals don’t have as much melanin, a skin pigment which filters out the sun’s rays.
In addition to sunshine, tanning beds can be a source of exposure, and if you used a tanning bed before age 30 your risk of skin damage is 75 per cent higher than someone who didn’t.
Some medications can cause phototoxic reactions (that is, an increased risk for skin symptoms with sun exposure). Antibiotics including tetracycline, sulfonamides and ciprofloxacin; diuretics including hydrocholorothiazide and furosemide; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers including ibuprofen and naproxen; oral acne medications such as isotretionoin; and even acne skin creams containing tretinoin are linked to sun sensitivity. If you take any medication on a regular basis, check with your pharmacist about needing extra care for sun exposure.
Prevention is preferred to treatment for both sunburn and skin cancer. Stay out of direct sunlight, especially when it is the strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and remember the reflected sunlight off surfaces such as white paint, water, and sand. Cover up with a hat, long sleeves and long pants. Most important, also wear a sunscreen regularly.
Sunscreens absorb, reflect, or scatter the UV light before it can damage your skin. Para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA, cinnaminic acid derivatives, and benzophenones are commonly used ingredients. The fine print on the label will list the active ingredients, but remember to choose one that protects you from both UVA and UVB light. Sunscreens are labelled with numbers indicating their sun protection. These are their SPF numbers and they are based on the tendency to burn and the ability to tan. The higher the number, the more protection the product offers. The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Unfortunately, some people choose a sunscreen with a very high SPF and apply it only once, even though they remain outdoors in direct sunlight for long periods of time. You should always apply sunscreen about an hour before going outdoors to enable it to soak into your skin. You also need to reapply it every three to four hours, regardless of the SPF value. If you are swimming or sweating, it will wash off and you will need to reapply it even more often. And, don’t forget the tops of your feet, you ears, lips, and the back or your neck.
Regular checks of your skin will enable you to identify any lesions that may be early signs of skin cancer. The acronym ABCD will help you. Any lesion that is Asymmetrical, has irregular Borders, Colour variation, or a Diameter greater than six millimetres should be examined more closely for possible skin cancer. Checking about once a month is a good habit to get into. Use a mirror for skin areas like your back that can be difficult to see.
Staying out of the sun may be impossible if you work outdoors, and after a long, cold winter you may want to enjoy summer sunlight, but remember to be smart about your sun exposure. Cover up, and use sunscreens properly. That’s the key!
