Reasons to protect your skin, while enjoying the sun.
Exposure to UVA/UVB rays will damage your skin, causing, sunburn, premature ageing and skin cancer.
SKIN TANNING
Tanning occurs when melanin is produced in an attempt to protect the skin cells from UV radiation. A tan is therefore a sign of damaged skin. It may offer limited protection from burning, but offers no protection against the effects of radiation, that can lead to skin cancer.
SUNBURN
When UV radiation is absorbed by DNA damage to the cell occurs. As a result the cell tries to mend itself by releasing chemicals. Sunburn is a visible reaction to this repair process. In some cases the damage to the cell is so severe that it dies, resulting in skin peeling and blistering.
Sunburn is characterised by redness, warmth and pain of varying degrees. In more severe cases swelling, blistering, and weeping of the skin can occur.
SKIN CANCER
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells undergo malignant changes because of UV radiation damage of their DNA. These cells reproduce independently to the rest of the body and may infiltrate neighbouring tissues or spread via the bloodstream to organs distant from the skin.
Skin cancers are usually treated by surgical removal, although sometimes radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be used.
Doctors think a history of childhood sun exposure and taking holidays in very sunny countries without adequate sun protection are important risk factors for the development of malignant melanoma.
PREMATURE/ PHOTO - AGEING
Photo – ageing is the cumulative effect of skin damage by UV radiation and is caused by both UVB and UVA radiation. The damage causes the skin’s structure to weaken, resulting in the skin becoming drier, rougher and thicker. In some people the skin becomes thin and fragile.
Source: ‘Sun Protection’© NaTHNac September 2006
Remember
Questions and Answers
What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for ‘SUN PROTECTION FACTOR’ and is the measure of the sunscreen's ability to protect your skin from the sun's rays in addition to your skins natural protection. Dependent on your skin type, hair colour, eye colour and destination, you may be able to stay in the sun for 10 mins without burning. If you apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 this means that you can stay in the sun 15 times longer (150 mins) than you could without sunscreen. However you must use sunscreen as directed and ensure enough sunscreen is initially applied (35 ml) for maximum coverage.
Higher factors should not be used to increase your time in the sun but to increase your level of protection.
Do high factors give you less tan?
You will still tan with a high factor, but it will take a little longer. Your tan will be longer lasting as your skin has had more time to acclimatise to the sun.
What about the kids?
Children are more susceptible to UV related skin damage than adults. We obtain most of our lifetime’s sun exposure as children and teenagers. Sunburn during childhood may lead to severe skin damage in later years.
You should use a specially formulated high factor product for children and ensure it is re-applied especially after swimming and towelling. Ideally children should be covered up with loose clothes and wide brimmed hats. Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
How long will sunscreens last after opening?
Recent legislation (2005) requires all cosmetic products to have a use-by date or a Period After Opening date. After this time the product may not be at it’s optimum best. Care should be taken when storing sunscreens as exposure to heat and light may cause degradation of the product. As a safe guard you should discard any product which has developed an unusual odour, you know is old, or that has become discoloured or watery.
Are more expensive sunscreens safer?
'No. Cost is no indication of better protection. You may simply be paying for a brand name. All types are tested and the cheaper brands are just as effective if used properly.'
Cancer Research UK
