Image courtesy GIRLintheCAFE

As a 16-year survivor of malignant melanoma, I know first hand the safety precautions that should be taken when spending time outdoors in the sun.  Given the epidemic of skin cancer in this country, sun safety should now be an important part of our lives.  Let’s start with the usage of sunscreen or I should say “sunblock”.

I recommend broad spectrum sunblock with UVA and UVB protection with a SPF of 30 in a form that is gentle enough for daily use.  Active ingredients of sunblock vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and can be divided into chemical versus physical agents.  Chemical sunblocks work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin.  Physical sunblocks reflect or scatter UV radiation before it reaches your skin.  Some sunblocks combine both chemical and physical sunblocks.

Two types of physical sunblocks that are available are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.  Both provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and are gentle enough for everyday use.  These are especially useful for individuals with sensitive skin as they rarely cause skin irritation.

Most chemical sunblocks are composed of several active ingredients.  This is because no single chemical ingredient blocks the entire UV spectrum (unlike physical sunblocks).  Instead most chemicals only block a narrow region of the UV spectrum and this is the reason I recommend a physical sunblock.

Sunblock should be applied 15-20 minutes before sun exposure to allow a protective film to develop, then reapplied after water contact and sweating.  Some sunblocks can lose effectiveness after two hours, so reapply frequently.  I often shake my head at friends who come back with a sunburn after a weekend at the lake.  They know what an advocate I am for sunblock and the dangers of skin cancer, so when they see me coming it’s not long before the excuses begin.  They often tell me that their sunblock is either outdated or that for some unknown reason it just didn’t work.  When I ask them how many times they reapplied during the day I get a blank stare.  Again, sunblock should be reapplied every 2 hours and possibly sooner if you are in and out of the water.

It is often said that a person should limit their time in the sun, especially between peak sunlight hours of 10 am and 3 pm.  I know that events come up and this is not always possible.  If you are planning time outdoors between these hours, just use your common sense.  There are many easy-to-use products that will help make your life sun safe.  Sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, awnings, and canopies can all help protect you from ultraviolet radiation.  I myself have purchased sun-protective clothing from a Minneapolis-based company, Coolibar, as well as a company called Solumbra.  Both companies sell clothing with at least a 30 SPF rating which protects the skin from 97% of UVA and UVB rays.

I have also purchased swim shirts for myself and my children from these two companies.  They are very lightweight and cover and protect much of your skin.  I highly recommend their clothing and swim apparel.

The FDA doesn’t have any data directly linking the use of sunscreens to a reduction in the risk of developing skin cancer.  Although studies have shown that limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreens decrease UV exposure, studies have not specifically linked the use of sunscreen by itself to reduced risk of skin cancer or skin aging.

Remember to look for a physical sunblock that contains the active ingredients Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.  I have found a good sunblock in Banana Boat, which has the active ingredient Titanium Dioxide.  This sunblock can be found at your local Target and K-Mart stores.

By doing your part to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays you will hopefully help slow the ever increasing chance of developing skin cancer.  Everyone should be able to have fun in the sun!  Just do your best to try and take care of your skin along the way.