Sun Protection Tips for Healthy Skin

More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States and over 10,000 people will die from the disease each year. This number hits even closer to home when you consider that almost one in five Americans is expected to develop some type of skin cancer in his or her lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).



Once only a concern during the summer months, tanning is now a year-round skin danger with the thinning of the ozone layer and the abundance of artificial tanning salons. The two primary types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation are UVA rays (which deeply penetrate the skin and cause the most genetic damage) and UVB rays (the "burning" rays). The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization report that both UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer.

Damaging UVA rays and UVB ultraviolet rays slip through your windows and even a healthy jog around the block can wreak havoc on your skin, as the cellular damage from UV radiation accumulates over time. But the prime culprit behind most cases of skin cancer is sun damage from tanning.

DETERMINE YOUR RISK PROFILE

There's no way to accurately predict whose skin is most likely to show premature signs of aging or who is more likely to develop skin cancer, says Dee Anna Glaser, MD, associate professor of dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine.

You should schedule a skin exam with your dermatologist at least once a year after the age of 40. If skin cancer runs in your family, you may want to start earlier than that. In addition, it's important to do self-exams once a month. Signs of trouble include:

• Small pearly white bumps, or sores on the skin that bleed and don't heal.

• Red, scaly bumps that resemble a scar and have a depression in the middle.

• Dark spots that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, have more than one color, and are bigger than the size of a pencil eraser. These spots may be flat or elevated.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some people have a much higher risk than others. The risk factors include:

• Fair skin. It doesn't contain as much of the natural pigment called melanin that scatters the sun's rays.

• Multiple moles or "beauty marks." Melanoma cells are more abundant in moles and freckles. The more beauty marks you have, the greater the risk that cancer cells will be present.

• A history of sunburns. Even if you've had only one blistering sunburn in your life, you have a higher risk for developing skincancer.

• A tropical address. The ozone layer, which blocks ultraviolet light, is thinner in tropical regions. Ultraviolet radiation is stronger in the southern United States than it is in the north.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROTECTION

Wearing sunscreen is essential for your skin care and sun protection. You should use it every day, especially when you're spending time outdoors. To get the most benefits from sunscreen, here's what Glaser advises.

Choose products with a high SPF. It stands for "sun protection factor," and it's a measure of how well sunscreen protects your skin.

SPF refers to the length of time that sunscreen protects the skin. Suppose your skin naturally starts to burn in 20 minutes. If you use sunscreenwith an SPF of 15, you won't begin to burn for 5 hours—15 times longer. Always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, Glaser advises.

Apply it often. In real life, sunscreens aren't always as effective as the SPF would indicate, says Glaser. If you're swimming, sweating a lot, or rubbing your skin with a towel, the sunscreen is going to dissipate. Reapply this form of sun protection every 2 hours—more often if you're swimming or perspiring a lot.

Buy a broad-spectrum sunscreen. These sunscreens will help block UVB and UVA rays. UVB light is the primary cause of sunburns, and protecting skin against UVA light plays an important role in preventing wrinkling and signs of aging. Choose a product that contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone, also known as Parsol 1789.

Apply it with your makeup. If you use moisturizers or other skin care products in the morning, it's fine to apply your sun protection sunscreenat the same time. First, apply topical medications if you use them. Let them dry, then apply alpha hydroxy acid or other anti-aging creams if you use them. Be sure to follow with a moisturizer, especially if you're using alpha hydroxy acids, which may have a drying effect on the skin. Then apply the sunscreen, followed by any makeup you're going to wear.

Give it time to work. In general, sunscreen is most effective when it's absorbed into the skin. Rub it on about 20 minutes before you go outside, says Glaser.

Use the right amount. It takes about an ounce of sunscreen to cover the average person's body. That's about the amount that would fill a shot glass. "You should feel messy after putting it on,"