Are You Truly Safe from UV? - Page 2
3. Larry and Allison are playing softball. Larry applies a sunscreen with SPF 45 only at the beginning of the game. Allison applies an SPF 30 lotion after every couple innings. Whose skin is better protected?
- Larry
- Allison
- I'm not sure
The correct answer is: Allison.
Generally speaking, Allison's SPF 30 offers greater protection because she reapplied the lotion often. However, there are a variety of other factors that can influence the effectiveness of a sunblock. When shopping for sunscreen, look for a broad spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Certain ingredients are better than others. Read the labels and buy sunblocks that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or parsol. These offer the best protection. Also, you need to apply rather generous amounts spread evenly over your skin, 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, to get the protection. If you spread it thinly, the protection is much less than the SPF factor listed on the bottle. The age of the product also can play a role. Sunscreens lose much of their effectiveness when exposed to extreme heat, such as when lying in your bag or car under the hot sun, and should be discarded after two years.
Furthermore, many people tend to think that if they aren't getting sunburned, they aren't being harmed. Be aware that although sunscreens may protect against sunburn, these products may not protect against UV radiation-associated melanoma of the skin. Always keep in mind that sunscreens should serve as an additional safeguard and not a license to spend long periods of time in the sun free of harm.
4. Diane is heading off on a tropical vacation in one week and doesn't want to look pale when she arrives at her destination. What is the safest option for her to get some color?
- Spend a few sessions in a tanning booth/bed
- Use self-tanning lotions, creams, or sprays
- Slowly build a base tan outside
The correct answer is: Use self-tanning lotions, creams, or sprays.
Your best bet is to use the sunless tanners that are available at drugstores, cosmetics counters, and salons in lotions, creams, sprays, and mists. These products give the skin a tanned appearance by interacting with the dead cells on the surface of the skin, effectively adding a layer of pigment. However, be aware that these products and the pigment they produce do not protect the skin from the ultraviolet radiation in the sun's rays the way melanin does. The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Although often advertised as a healthy alternative to the sun, tanning salons are not a safe option. The American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other organizations, advise against using tanning beds or booths because most beds and booths use bulbs that emit a significant amount of UVA and UVB radiation – both of which are associated with the development of skin cancer and premature aging. Tanning beds also can burn skin and eyes and damage the immune system. And because these facilities are considered a cosmetic service, they are unregulated by the FDA.
Experts say that getting a "base tan" offers very little protection against sunburn. In fact, it may even increase the chance that you'll get a burn once you're on vacation, because you're likely to spend more time in the sun without proper UV protection.
It's Not All Bad
By far the most serious threat from radiation to human health is excessive exposure to radiation from the sun. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't get out and have an active, healthy life. Complete avoidance of the sun isn't healthy, either. Your body needs moderate amounts of sunshine to produce the vitamin D necessary to strengthen your bones, muscles, heart, and immune system. A lack of the nutrient has been linked to an increased risk of colon and other cancers. In addition, research suggests that spending a few minutes in natural sunlight several times a week may increase blood levels of mood-boosting serotonin. But because being in the sun often over time, even if you don't burn, can lead to skin cancer, modifying some behaviors will help you continue to enjoy the outdoors for years to come.
A few more things to keep in mind about the sun
- Beware of reflective surfaces. Sand, snow, concrete, and water can reflect more than half the sun's rays onto your skin.
- Protect your eyes from the sun. Too much UV radiation can damage the cornea and lead to cataracts. Not all dark tinted glasses protect against UV radiation. When choosing sunglasses, check the label to ensure that they offer 99% to 100% UVA and UVB protection. Polarized lenses reduce glare from other surfaces, such as water or snow.
- Remember that clouds and water won't protect you — 60% to 80% of the sun's rays can get through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water.
