How Does Sunscreen Work To Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
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.
Avoid going out in the Sun when it is strongest. This means from around 11 in the morning through to 3 in the afternoon. Naturally, mid days is the worst time to be out in the Sun. Granted, this may not always be possible, especially if you work outdoors or leave the office for lunch. In this case take other precautions.
Wear clothing that can protect your skin form sunlight. Darker colored clothing works better than lighter colors. cover your arms and legs if practical or comfortable.
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.
After taking all these precautions you should then apply sunscreen. Cover parts of your body that are not protected by clothing and come into direct contact with the sunlight.
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).
A way to determine the effectiveness of a sunscreen is to look at it’s Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The popular recommendation in this respect is to always go for an SPF of 30+. SPF pertains to the ability to protect the skin from UVB radiation that is thought to be the worst form of radiation for sun burn and skin cancer. However, it does not protect against UVA radiation, which researchers feel can be just as dangerous as UVB. Products that are known as Broad Spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
Sunscreens that act as a sunblock are best if you have to spend plenty of time out in the Sun. No doubt you have seen people wearing such creams on the nose or lips. It is almost like a paint that they have applied to the skin. This puts many people off using such creams but they are the best way to protect your skin from the Sun.
Sunblock sunscreen will have either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in them (they are also sometimes referred to as zinc cream). If you don’t appreciate having a large band of zinc cream across your nose then an alternative is ultramicronized titanium or zinc sunscreens. They are transparent but do the same job of reflecting UV rays.
Another aspect of sunscreen is that it will only last for around 2 hours so you must always reapply it after this time limit. It may be even shorter if you are very active or are swimming. You should also apply it before you go into the Sun and not once you are in it for obvious reasons but people often don’t do this.
Tags: cancer, Diseases And Conditions, health, health and fitness, Skin Cancer, skin care