Sun Awareness

Sun Awareness

It is important to remember to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight. It is well recognized that people do not do enough to protect themselves from harmful UV.

UV rays penetrate the skin and cause harmful short and long-term health term problems. Too much sun causes sunburn and leads to a suntan and freckles. A tan is the body's reaction to damage. Over time, UV causes more permanent leathering, wrinkling, of the skin along with liver spots. Eventually damaged skin will predisposed to developing skin cancer.

Sunlight is mostly made of UVA and UVB radiation. Classically it was believed that UVB caused most of the problems but now it is recognized that both UVA and UVB both cause sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer.

Both UVA and UVB are stronger in the summer months and particularly between 11 and 4 pm.

One easy way to avoid a burn is to not go out in direct mid-day sun without protection-“in cases where you shadow is shorter than you”. It is also feared that with the ozone layer depleted more UV light is hitting the earth, which will increase rates of skin cancer (which can take between 10-20 years to develop).

Sun Blocks

It is recommended to use a sun block of at least SPF 15 or more. The SPF factor refers to the additional sun protection factor compared with unprotected skin against UVB rays with the now recognized danger from UVA radiation as well good sunscreen must contain protection against UVA (unfortunately there is no number scale to measure protection as with the SPF rating).

It is important to apply sun blocks about 30 minutes before being exposed to the skin. Using DEET or a combination of DEET and sun block makes both works less effectively. We recommend applying the sun block first so it binds well with the skin and then apply the DEET 30 minutes afterwards.

Children

Children are at very high risk for sunburn especially since most of a persons accumulated sun damage occurs when they are toddlers. Proper clothing and instructions to avoid excessive exposure, and guidance by parents can make a significant impact in children.

Doctors use the ABCDE approach to educate people about looking for possible skin cancer.

•  Asymmetry-an irregularity in a mole is suspicious.

•  Border irregularity.

•  Colour is varied from one part of the mole to another.

•  Diameter is larger than 6mm, which is conveniently the same size as a pencil-top eraser for easy comparison.

•  Evidence of change. Anyone with a concern about a mole or pigmented spot should see their doctor. Skin cancer is one thing that can be very easy to treat if we catch it early enough. If it grows or has spread too far, it is much harder to treat.

Suntanning Studios

Salon machines produce much more UVA than the sun. UVA is associated with tanning, skin damage, and skin cancer.

Doctors do not recommended tanning beds to get a base tan prior to trips since the damage is still damage. In the USA and Canada, sun tan salons are still legal and very lucrative businesses. As long as people realize that tanning will cause premature skin aging and can lead to cancer, they may artificially tan.

Reference:

Canadian Dermatology Association

1-800-267-DERM

264 Tache Avenue

Winnipeg, MB R2H 1Z9

Tel: 453-9107 Fax: 453-9115

Website: www.skylarkmedicalclinic.com

Email: gary_Podolsky@yahoo.com

Ó Copywrite Skylark Medical Clinic 2002

May be copied for educational purposes.

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