Debunking Sunscreens

Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun's rays on the skin. They are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and wax sticks. SPF, sun protection factor, is misleading because it is a measure of UVB rays only. Basically, it measures how long it will take for UVB rays to redden the skin. So for instance, SPF 15 means that it will take the sun 15 times longer to redden the skin than without sunscreen. A SPF 15 shields about 93% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%.

A few years ago, both scientists and dermatologists noticed that even though people were wearing SPF 15 or higher everyday, the incidence of skin cancer was still on the rise. It is now a known fact that UVA rays (aging, cancer causing rays) penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays. The sunscreens that were traditionally used, only blocked UVB rays (the thought was that both rays penetrated the skin at the same depth, SPF’s protected the skin entirely)

New generation sunscreens have emerged on the market. These are considered broad-spectrum sunscreens, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. They also do a better job of protecting skin from other effects of the sun including photo damage, photodermatitis, and rashes from the sun. Broad-spectrum sunscreens contain ingredients such as avobenzone, Mexoryl, oxybenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.

The FDA is currently in the process creating a regulation that rates UVA protection of sunscreens. Under this regulation, there will be a four-star rating system that informs consumers how well the product protects them against UVA light; 1-star representing low UVA protection and 4-stars containing the highest protection available in an over-the-counter product.

Common myths

Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.
There is some controversy regarding this issue, but no studies have shown that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

If it's cold or cloudy outside, you don't need sunscreen.
This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun. Also, don't forget that 95% of the suns UV rays are reflected off the snow - that's double duty sun exposure

80 percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it's too late to do anything now.
It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Are You Sun Smart?

Understanding UV Rays…
The sun is becoming a “hot” topic these days as more and more people put sunscreens under scrutiny. Most of this controversy stems from the UV rays that the sun emits. The sun emits three different types of rays: UVA (long-wave), UVB (short-wave), and UVC, which never penetrate the ozone.

Our understanding of exactly what kinds of damage UV rays cause the skin, and how best to protect ourselves, seems to shift every year as new research comes out. For example, it was once thought that only UVB was of concern, but we keep learning more and more about the damage caused by UVA.

UVA rays (Aging Rays)
We are exposed to UVA rays at an equal intensity throughout the day and all year round. This type of sun ray accounts for 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, and can penetrate clouds and glass.

UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, which plays a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. UVA damages skin cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur. (Basal and squamous cells are types of keratinocytes.) UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers.

UVA is the dominant tanning ray, and we now know that tanning, whether outdoors or in a salon, causes cumulative damage over time. A tan results from injury to the skin’s DNA; the skin darkens in an imperfect attempt to prevent further DNA damage. These imperfections, or mutations, can lead to skin cancer. The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that of the sun. Not surprisingly, people who use tanning salons are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. According to recent research, first exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk by 75 percent.

UVB Rays (Burning Rays)
UVB, the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn, tends to damage the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers. Its intensity varies by season, location (greater by the equator and high elevations), and time of day. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 AM and 4 PM from April to October. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice, which bounce back up to 85 percent of the rays. Going outside in the winter after a fresh snowfall means you’re getting twice the amount of sun rays to your skin! That’s damaging your skin twice as fast!!!


Protection Your Skin!
Protect yourself from UV radiation, both indoors and out. Always seek the shade outdoors, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. Don’t forget that UVA penetrates glass, so you are still exposing yourself to dangerous UV rays when driving or sitting by windows.
Outdoors, dress to limit UV exposure: Special sun-protective clothes with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) indicate how much UV radiation can penetrate the fabric; the higher the UPF, the better. A shirt with an UPF of 30, for example, means that just 1/30th of the sun’s UV radiation can reach the skin. Bright- or dark-colored, lustrous clothes reflect more UV radiation than do pastels and bleached cottons; and tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes provide more of a barrier between your skin and the sun. Finally, broad-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses help shield the sensitive skin on your head, neck, and around the eyes — areas that usually sustain a lot of sun damage. Sunglasses are our eyes only protection from the sun harmful rays. UVB rays have also been known to cause cataracts and melanoma on the iris.

Using these guidelines a little common sense will help to decrease your risk of skin cancer.

Stay tuned for our next topic…SPF factors and what they protect!

May is Melanoma Month - Have You Had Your Skin Checked?

Skin cancer is on the rise and is developing in younger people. The good thing is that many cases of skin cancer are preventable. All it takes is a being sun savvy and educated on our parts to prevent the disease.

I’ve listed the top three facts about skin cancer that I think you should know.

1. More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun exposure.
The UV rays of the sun are responsible for non-melanoma skin cancers. Unprotected exposure to these rays can be from being outdoors, tanning booths, and even through your car or home windows.

2. Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined.
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among men and women.

3. More than one million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1.5 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.

Throughout this month, I’ll be posting tips and facts about skin cancer and what you can do to prevent it. So stay tuned!