Skin cancer is caused by being over exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. If a person is more genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to UV rays then there is more chance that skin cancer will develop. Typical signs that a person is predisposed to skin cancer is a family history of the disease or a pale complexion that burns easily in the sun. As sunlight is the number one way in which people get exposed to UV rays, much advice is given about how to take precautions so that sunlight does not lead to skin cancer. This article will discuss some of these ideas. In particular it will focus on how sunscreen can help protect your skin and minimize the chances of developing skin cancer.
The first thing to point out is that sunscreen should never be seen as the only thing you can do to limit your exposure to sunlight. It should be used in conjunction with some of the points mentioned below.
The best way to avoid UV radiation over exposure is to avoid sunlight when it is at it’s strongest. Unsurprisingly, this is the period when it is at it’s highest point in the sky, around mid day. Twelve noon is the worst time and the few hours around this time are also bad. Stay out of the sun during these times. If this cannot be done then take precautions.
Wear protective clothing. Darker colored garments are better than lighter ones. Cover your arms with a long sleeve shirt. Cover your legs with long pants or socks.
Always wear a hat in the Sun. A hat with a wide brim will protect your face and scalp from UV rays. Some people use a sun umbrella to protect themselves too.
Wear a good pair of sunglasses, as skin cancer can also affect the eyes.
If you have done all these things then you should think about sunscreen. Cover the parts of your body that are not covered by clothing. Some people suggest wearing sunscreen under clothing for added protection, especially on the arms or legs but this might not be comfortable or practical.
There are two general types of sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays. Physical sunscreens work by reflecting UV rays (or blocking them, hence the name sunblock that is sometimes used).
The sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen is often used to illustrate it’s strength and effectiveness. Most advice suggests that you use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+. However the SPF of a sunscreen only applies to UVB radiation. Although this is thought to be the worst form of radiation for skin cancer, recent research suggest that UVA radiation can be just as bad. If you want a sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA radiation then you should look at what is marketed as broad spectrum sunscreen.
Sunscreens that act as a sun block are particularly useful if you work outdoors or spend plenty of time in the Sun. They are a thick cream that provides a barrier to the sunlight. People often put them on sensitive parts of the body like the lips and nose.
Sunblock creams will consist of either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (and are sometimes called zinc cream). If you don’t fancy having a band of white cream covering your nose then an alternative is ultramicronized titanium or zinc sunscreens. They act in the same way as a sunblock but the cream is clear and is not obvious on the face.
Always reapply sunscreen every 2 hours regardless of if you are active or not. Go for a sunscreen that you like on the skin as this makes it more likely that you will continue to use and reapply it.