What You Don't Know About Your Suntan Can Hurt You
You love the sun and how your skin looks after being out in it. The challenge is getting a good dose of the sun without increasing your risk of skin problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60,000 people are diagnosed each year with skin cancer. Get smart about the time you spend in the sun so you know what you face each time you go out for a tan.
Hidden Dangers in the Sun
Sunlight is made up of three types of light, two of which can be damaging to your skin:
- Ultraviolet-A (UVA) - This is the most dominant light wave that hits the Earth year round. It can pass through materials such as glass and clothing. This type of wave is most responsible for your suntan.
- Ultraviolet-B (UVB) - These light waves hit the Earth less frequently and are most noticeable during the summer months. They can be blocked by clothing and glass. These waves contribute to your tan only if exposed to them for long periods.
- Ultraviolet-C (UVC) - The ozone layer blocks all of these waves before they hit the planet.
Your Skin and the Sun's Ultraviolet Waves
Ultraviolet waves can be harmful, so your skin protects you by producing the pigment melanin. The melanin darkens as it absorbs UV waves. The dark pigment blocks UV waves from damaging the deeper layers of your skin. The tan color that you enjoy is the result of the melanin trying to protect you from the sun.
The problem is that your melanin can't block enough of the sun to fully protect you from skin damage. UVA waves go deep into the skin and UVB waves remain superficial. They both can be the cause of serious skin damage and even stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Suntan Lotion Adds Some Protection
Suntan lotion restricts the amount of UV waves that your skin absorbs, though it doesn't block them completely. The sun protection factor (SPF) on a suntan lotion indicates the relative amount of time you can stay in the sun before you burn. An SPF of 20 means that you can stay in the sun 20 times longer than if you did not apply lotion. When buying suntan lotion, look for those that protect you from both UVA and UVB waves.
When Your Skin Has Had Too Much
When your skin turns red instead of brown, the melanin is not keeping up with the UV exposure. Skin cells begin to die. With a severe burn, a dermatology physician may need to remove the dead skin to encourage new skin cells to grow. If this isn't done, you risk scar tissue developing on the skin. This is the precursor to skin cancer developing.
Prevention By Moderation
Preventing sun-related skin problems means limiting your time in the direct sun. You cannot rely on suntan lotion to block the waves. Even wearing light clothing lets enough UV waves in to damage your skin. If you have pain, inflammation, redness or dark patches on your skin the day after you've been in the sun, see a dermatologist for an assessment of any damage that needs to be treated.
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