Pale skin healthier than burned

Warm weather sends everyone outdoors. But beware. With sun can come skin problems, including cancer.

By Janie Leonhardt, MD

With summer in the Pacific Northwest come longer, warmer days when many sun-starved men, women and children take to the outdoors for boating, hiking, walking, biking or working in the garden.

But we’re not always as diligent as we should be about applying sunblock and, unfortunately, that “healthy glow” we get from being in the sun too long can result in more freckles and premature aging. Tanning and sunburns cause the skin to lose elasticity and wrinkle prematurely.

Also, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer. One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, later in life, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.Getting sunburned is more common than it should be – 42 percent of people polled reported experiencing sunburn at least once a year, the foundation reports.

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Protecting ourselves from exposure to the sun’s UV radiation is the most important thing we should do to maintain healthy skin year-round. Every day, we should wear a sun block with an SPF of 30 or greater on our face, ears, neck and forearms. UV rays can be harmful even on cloudy days when 70-80 percent of ultraviolet radiation is still penetrating through cloudy skies.

Make sure the sun protection you choose provides adequate protection against ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. You’ll know you have the right product if it is a broad-spectrum sunblock, such as those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Other tips for keeping your skin healthy and youthful this summer:

  • Apply sun protection 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapply after water exposure or every three to four hours.
  • Avoid exposure to the midday sun when possible.
  • Wear sun-protective clothing like broad-rim hats and full-length shirts and pants (with adequate ultraviolet protective factor – or UPF) when enjoying outdoor activities.
  • Schedule an annual full-body skin examination by a dermatologist.
  • Perform monthly self-skin exams. If you notice spots growing or changing in color or size, or a spot that doesn’t seem to fit in with other spots, then arrange for an evaluation by a dermatologist.

In addition to increasing the risk for skin cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause irreversible eye damage, allergic reactions and suppression of the body’s immune system that can leave you more vulnerable to diseases like skin cancer.

There is really no safe tan. If you want to look tanned, consider using a temporary bronzer or self-tanning lotion. These products can give you the desired look without the damage.

 

Janie Leonhardt, MD, is a dermatologist at Virginia Mason-Bellevue, 425-637-1855, VirginiaMason.org