Did you know the sun's invisible rays, known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) cause the most problems and the most potential damage to your skin? The longer wavelength, UVA, is much more penetrating than UVB, not even stopped by glass! Over exposure to both UVA and UVB can damage the make up/components of your keratinocyte - skin cells - and lead to disordered cell division and ultimately skin cancer.
That's why sun protection at any age is both essential and important in helping to prevent the short and long term effects of sunlight. Short-term intense over exposure to sunlight results in painful red sunburned skin, which you may be familiar with. Research has shown that multiple episodes of intense blistering sunburn before the age of 12 yrs, can significantly increase the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer in later life.
Long-term over exposure to UVA/UVB on the other hand causes more long term visible effects like wrinkles, freckles, muddy brown age spots, prominent blood vessels and changes in skin texture, that in combination make it look older - this is known as photoageing. And if that isn't depressing enough, skin cancers particularly non-melanoma skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can occur.
So, as you see, sun avoidance is the best all-round defence against premature photoageing and possible skin cancer. But the good news is that by following a few common sense, simple steps, you can help to reduce these harmful effects.
Why sun protection is your summer essential
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- Seek shade between 12pm and 3pm, when the sun's ultraviolet rays are at their most intense.
- Wear light coloured, tightly woven protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat when out and about in the sun, for example when gardening. A good way to tell if your clothing is protective enough is if you hold your shirt/T-shirt up to the sun and see how much light comes through the material. This will give a guide as to how effective a barrier your item of clothing is.
- Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate eye area and never look directly at the sun.
- Apply sunscreen regularly with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Remember; the higher the SPF, the greater the safety margin.
- Make sure it is applied to all areas of the skin that are exposed - for example don't forget the hands, back of the neck, tops of the ears etc. These are all delicate areas that need extra protection.
With an SPF 15 sunscreen applied properly, a fair skinned person who burns in 30 minutes can tolerate 15 times 30 minutes (450 minutes) without burning. But, this should not be an excuse to spend extra time in the sun, as you will still burn through sunscreen, as UVA will not be affected by the SPF factor. Other "sun blocker" systems, such as those contained in Healthspan nurture's Australian Standard SPF 30, can provide the necessary protection against these more penetrating and harmful UVA rays through their special filters.
Remember sunscreen is only effective if applied generously and re-applied regularly, particularly after swimming or exercise.
The London Clinic of Dermatology applauds Healthspan nurture sun block for adopting the Australian Standard for sun protection, acknowledging the tremendous success that these sun care standards have brought to the fight against photo-damage and skin cancer formation. We hope that you will continue to enjoy the benefits of ultraviolet light without experiencing the adverse effects associated with its exposure.
Remember sunscreen is only effective if applied generously and re-applied regularly, particularly after swimming or exercise.
The London Clinic of Dermatology applauds Healthspan nurture sun block for adopting the Australian Standard for sun protection, acknowledging the tremendous success that these sun care standards have brought to the fight against photo-damage and skin cancer formation. We hope that you will continue to enjoy the benefits of ultraviolet light without experiencing the adverse effects associated with its exposure.
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