Sunscreen safety tips : How to Avoid Burning?

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Nowadays, skin cancer is increasing faster than any other form of cancer and for this the most common cause is sun damage. The sun radiates light to the earth which consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. These UV rays are of three types UVA, UVB, and UVC. They cause burning of the skin and other skin damage on reaching to the skin. Tanned skin is also one type of damaged skin, which can lead to dryness, wrinkles, brown spots and skin cancer. This damage cannot be repaired. To avoid damage to the skin, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen whether a person is light- or dark-skinned, whether it's cloudy or sunny outside.

Act of enjoying the sun has become very complicated with many questions. These questions are how much sunscreen to use (more than you think), how often to apply (frequently) and what those acronyms (UVA, UPF, SPF) mean. Last month, the Environmental Working Group likened sunscreen to "modern-day snake oil," calling most of the products ineffective and questioning about their safety. According to this group the products were "exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals." However, dermatologists say that there is no evidence that sunscreen is unsafe and that going unprotected is much more dangerous.

Sunscreen Safety tips:

UVA and UVB protection with sunscreen:

Sun rays consists of two types of ultraviolet radiation that damage and increases risks of skin cancer. Sunscreens protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburns. While UVA rays age the skin, causing wrinkles and tans. So, be sure about your sunscreen product that it has both UVB and UVA protection.

According to dermatologists, the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are active key ingredients of sunscreen that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Ostad said, “Evidence has shown the best sunscreens are the ones that block UVB and UVA. The majority of these companies that market sunscreen products, they try to make people more aware of the SPF."

Clothing matters:

All clothing protects the skin to some degree from sun rays according to Dr. Ariel Ostad who is a clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a tightly woven fabric such as denim confers more protection than linen, because it permits less light infiltration.

Ostad said, “Even with T-shirts, I see people who get burned. If someone has a history of cancer or is very fair skinned, it doesn't hurt to put it on underneath the clothes.” Also, he added that some companies make UV-absorbing clothes that might be helpful for people who spend hours in the sun, because the fabric's weave is designed to protect against the sun.

These types of clothes have ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which indicates how much UV radiation can penetrate the fabric. 30 UPF shirt means just 1/30 of the sun's radiation can get through.

A high SPF is hype:

It is believed that products, which have higher Sun Protection Factor value, give better sun protection against UVB light. Some studies have suggest that an effective SPF 15 can block about 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent.

About 99.1 percent of the UVB rays are blocked by a product with SPF 100+. Ostad said, “You don't really need a high number. They end up being expensive and don't do more than SPF 50." Also, remember that SPF protects only against UVB rays.

Sunscreen sprays are not as effective:

The sprays are very easy to apply than creams and other products. However, the downfall is they're less effective. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not available in spray form and most of the sprays protect mainly against UVB rays.

People don't use enough sunscreen is the another problem, said by Dr. Rutledge Forney, a dermatologist in Atlanta, Georgia. She said that an average person should use a dollop, enough to fill a shot glass. 30 minutes before going outside, about one ounce of sunscreen should be applied and it should be reapplied every two hours.

Forney said, "Whether the sun is out or not, put on sunscreen on your face and hands, just like you would brush your teeth twice a day.”

Darker skin tone isn't a free pass:

People who have dark skin have some natural protective qualities from their pigmentation. However, it is not a type of immunity against sunburn and skin cancer.

To diagnose skin cancer in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, might be harder and color of these people get the disease, too. Diagnosis of skin cancer is harder in such people as the growths often appear in atypical locations for example palms, soles of the feet, toenails and fingernails.

According to skin experts, all racial groups require to use sunscreens.

How to Avoid Sunburn?

To prevent damage to skin and to avoid sunburn effect on skin, following tips may be helpful to you.

Use a sunscreen that has a 15 sun protection factor (SPF) or higher. Sunscreens that say "broad-spectrum" can protect the skin from ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays. Sunscreens come in lotions, gels, creams, and ointments.
Don’t go outside during the midday sun (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), which have the strongest sunlight. If you need to be outdoors, then find shade. By using the shadow rule, you can also calculate how much ultraviolet (UV) exposure you are getting.
Children skin is very sensitive than adult and it is very urgent to prevent sun exposure in children. Children get most of their lifetime sun exposure in their first 18 years as they spend a lot of time outdoors playing. Babies, who are under 6 months of age, keep them out of the sun. If sunscreen is required, a small amount on the face or the back of the hands is not damaging. Also, you can teach your children the ABCs of how to protect their skin from getting sunburned.
- A = Away. Stay away from the sun in the midday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- B = Block. To protect babies' and children's very sensitive skin, use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 20 or higher.
- C = Cover up. Wear clothing that covers the skin, hats with wide brims, and sunglasses with UV protection. Even children 1 year old should wear sunglasses with UV protection.
- S = Speak out. Teach others to protect their skin from sun damage.
To protect yourself from the sun, use hats which are wide 4 in. (10.2 cm) brims that cover your neck, ears, eyes, and scalp.
Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going in the sun to all the skin that will be uncovered to the sun, including the nose, ears, neck, scalp, and lips. Sunscreen requires to be applied evenly over the skin and in the amount suggested on the label.
To protect your lips from getting sunburned or developing cold sores, utilize lip balm or cream that has sun protection factor (SPF). Do not use sun block on your lips. Instead, use only sun protection products designed specifically for lips.
Apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours while in the sun and after swimming or sweating a lot. If a person sweats heavily or is in water the SPF value decreases because water on the skin decreases the amount of protection that sunscreen provides. Sunscreen effectiveness is also affected by the wind, humidity, and altitude.
While swimming, wearing a T-shirt does not protect your skin unless sunscreen has also been applied to your skin under the T-shirt.
Wet skin can burn easily, so it is essential to protect your skin even if you do not feel that you are getting sunburned. Some sunscreens are water-resistant or waterproof and can protect for about 40 minutes in the sun if a person is doing a water activity. Apply sunscreen more often if you are in water.
If you have had a skin reaction (allergic reaction) to a sunscreen, look for one that is free of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), preservatives, and perfumes. These ingredients may cause skin reactions.
Use a gel if you have oily skin or you work in dusty or sandy conditions. Gel dries on the skin without leaving a film.
Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age. Parents with children under 6 months of age should severely limit their children's sun exposure.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you have sensitive skin that burns easily.