Costa Health - Safe Sun

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Costa Lifestyle: Stay Safe in the Sun

>> Don’t rely on sunscreen; it’s not a licence to bake
It can be tempting at the first sign of sunshine to wear as little as possible and lie basking on your terrace, by the pool or on the beach. But there are some things you need to know before you head out to your sun lounger. Skin cancer is definitely on the increase, so it's clear that the message about safe sun just isn’t getting across.

>> The damaging effects to the skin
It’s the sun’s UVA rays - the longest rays in the spectrum - that penetrate deepest. They are responsible for causing damage at a cellular level, making them the main contributor to the signs of ageing in the form of wrinkles and pigmentation. UVA is present all year round, even in winter. UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and cause the burn or tan effect in the skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer, so wearing a broadspectrum sunscreen with antioxidants is essential

UV exposure causes far-reaching damage to skin. It may not be noticeable at the time but accumulates and shows its ugly face when we hit our 30s and 40s. Both superficial and deep destruction include:
> Collagen reduction and changes to elastin, causing wrinkling
> Changes in the dermal blood vessels causing dilated capillaries
> Free radical damage causing DNA damage and breakdown of dermal tissue
> DNA repair inhibited, potentially leading to skin cancer
> Immune system reduced, again contributing to potential skin cancer.

>> How to protect yourself
The best way to prevent skin cancer and sun damage is to protect skin from the daylight and direct sun every day of the year. One burn doubles your risk of melanoma.
> Avoid the midday sun; you need to seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when sunlight is strongest; cover up with clothing, a broadbrimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
> Protect yourself all year-round; there is as much UVA in the winter as in the summer
> Remember, UV radiation can penetrate through light clothing, windshields, windows and clouds.
> Protect children from an early age, as the damage is done before we are 20.
> Regardless of the SPF, or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours. The active ingredients in most products begin to break down when exposed to the sun. Only physical blockers like zinc oxide stay potent after two hours, but not all sunscreens are made with these ingredients.
> Don’t count on sunscreen to last through hours of swimming. To be safe, reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.

>> What’s SPF
The SPF represents the ability of a sunscreen to delay sun-induced burning. It is important to realise that an SPF is only a measure of how much UVB protection it provides. Sunscreens work by two mechanisms:
> Chemical sunscreens - Absorb UV rays, lowering the energy level and releasing energy as heat. This type needs to be applied to the skin before any other product, and normally 20 minutes before sun exposure.
> Physical Sunscreens - Reflect or scatter the energy rays. They are mineral based so therefore less irritating. They need to be applied last, as they bounce the rays off the skin. You will also find physical sunscreens in mineral make-up, which is normally SPF 20-26, depending on the brand.

It is important to understand that, even though you may be using a sunscreen, some UVB rays will still penetrate through your skin - you cannot filter out 100% of the sun's rays.

For example, SPF2 products protect your skin from 50% of the UVB rays, so you can stay in the sun twice as long as you would be able to without protection.
> SPF2 is far too low
> SPF 8 blocks 87.5 % of UVB rays
> SPF 15 blocks 93.33 % of UVB and some UVA rays
> SPF 30 blocks 96.6 % of UVB and some UVA rays
> SPF 60 blocks 97.98 of UVB and some UVA rays

>> How much sunscreen to apply
Make sure you apply an adequate amount to ensure you are getting the desired SPF. That's generally about one teaspoon for the face and about on eighth of a cup for complete body coverage. Reapply sunscreen whenever you swim, exercise or sweat profusely - or around every two hours.

>> The different types of skin cancer
Dermatologists divide skin cancer into two categories. The most deadly is malignant melanoma. This is the least common of the skin cancers generally but, in the 20-39 age group, it’s actually the most commonly diagnosed of all cancers. The second category is the nonmelanomas, which are split into basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

>> What to look for
Malignant melanomas are usually dark patches with uneven edges. They generally look nasty, as if there’s something wrong. Sometimes they bleed or itch, but not always. Another, rarer, type is called amelanotic melanoma, which is either flesh coloured or pink and lumpy. Men tend to get melanomas on the back and women on the lower legs, but these areas are not exclusive.

Remember, you don’t have to be directly in the sun to enjoy it; warmth can be felt in the shade. If you do crave direct contact with rays, head out early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when there is much less UV radiation.