Sun Protection: Preparing for the Days Ahead

Many Texans will be heading for the beaches and swimming pools this summer looking forward to leisurely basking under the golden sun. Protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun should also be a priority, especially if you have children. The sun damage that catches-up with us in adulthood begins early in life. Here are some important points to consider before you expose yourself and your loved ones to the glorious summer sun.

Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays (ie UVAor UVB) results in premature skin aging, including wrinkles, age spots and skin discoloration. Skin cancer is also on the rise due to excessive sun exposure. Over 1 million cases of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are expected to occur annually. The most potentially deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, will appear in some 60,000 Americans this year.

The sun gives off ultraviolet radiation categorized by wavelength. UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage. Both UVA and UVB rays damage the skin. UVB radiation affects the outer layer of the skin (ie the epidermis) and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns. UVAwaves penetrate deeper into the skin and are specifically associated with loss of connective tissue integrity (ie aging skin) and cancer development.

To most individuals "NO SUN means NO FUN ", so how may we continue to indulge our need for outdoor summer activities yet protect ourselves from the sun's harmful effects? Fortunately there are several measures we may employ to continue to enjoy our precious sun- illed days while avoiding dangerous ultraviolet radiation.

The most widely recognized form of protection is sunscreen. Sunscreens act to block and or scatter UV radiation. Sunscreens utilize either chemical or physical blocks. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed by the skin whereas physical sunscreens stay on the surface of the skin. Chemical sunscreens impair the ultraviolet energy absorption by chemically interacting with the solar radiation. Chemical sunscreens are more likely to cause skin irritation or skin reactions as they are absorbed in the skin.

Physical blocks such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide are typically non-irritating and nonallergenic and block both UVAand UVB rays. Zinc oxide was popular back in the 1980's, when you would see lifeguards with a white coat on their nose and face. Not very cosmetically appealing but it protected against damaging rays. Today sunblock that contain titanium and zinc are more cosmetically appealing with a nice moisturized delivery. No sunscreen is able to completely block solar radiation, however, sunscreens employing a physical blocking agent (ie zinc oxide) are highly effective in protecting us from UVAand UVB exposure.

Sunscreens are rated using the Sun Protective Factor (SPF) system. This system was originally developed to measure protection from UVB radiation. The SPF rating indicates how much longer an individual may be exposed to the sun before burning compared to when not wearing sunscreen. For example, if you apply a sunscreen with a SPF 15 you can may remain in the sun fifteen times longer than with no sunscreen.

Correct application of sunscreen is important to obtain the protective effect. Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally to all- xposed areas so that it forms a film when initially applied. It takes 20-30 minutes for chemical sunscreens to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied well ahead of sun exposure, especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers.

Reapplying sunscreen is also important, as most sunscreens 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 20-30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours. It is possible that this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough sunscreen initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed. Sunscreen should be applied after swimming or excessive sweating.

It is also important to apply a daily sunscreen. 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. Most foundations and over the counter daily moisturizers incorporate a SPF protection.

So when buying your sun protection make sure you read the labels. The SPF measures the amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting UVA absorption. The only ways to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Other tips on protecting your precious skin include the following:

• avoid the intense sun from10AM to 4PM
• check the UV index provided daily by the National Weather Service
• use wide brimmed hats and UVA/ UVB protective sunglasses
• stay in the shade if possible!