Sunscreens: What is SPF and How Much is Enough?

Remember when a deeply tanned body was considered a sign of health and beauty? “Tall and tan” were the first three words of the hit recording “The Girl from Ipanema.” Advertisements featured tanned bodies, prominently featuring the “tan-line” to make the point that it was in fact sun tan and not natural coloring. People would sit on the beach or by the pool with dark glasses to protect the eyes, but not much to protect the skin. Indeed, encouraging the sun to darken the skin went so far in certain colder climes that individuals would sit with reflective surfaces under their chins to enhance the effect of the sun’s rays. Not so much anymore. Wisely or by accident, the public has learned that too much sun can be more dangerous than the temporary discomfort of sunburn. According to the The Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. That’s more new skin cancer cases than all breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers in the country combined. While there may be many causes of skin cancer, extensive and extended exposure to the sun, without some form of effective protection, is a primary precursor. The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC), with an estimated 2.8 million cases diagnosed each year, The good news is that BCC is seldom fatal. The bad news about BCC is, if left untreated, it can result in disfigurement. On the other hand, there is no good news with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While not as common as BCC, SCC is estimated to be diagnosed 700,000 times each year in the U.S. The result is an estimated 2,500 deaths from SCC annually. Research suggests that both BCC and SCC are triggered by over-exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UVA & UVB). UVB is responsible for burning. UVA is responsible for aging. Both rays can cause cancer according to the American Cancer Society. Experts strongly suggest that individuals who venture into the sun should use sunscreen products that protect against both UVA and UVB. American Cancer Society’s Otis Brawley says that sunscreens can be effective but they also can lead to a sense of complacency. “You can actually use sunscreen to avoid sunburn, so you can get more UV radiation and increase your risk of melanoma” according to Brawley. He suggests covering up with a hat and long sleeve shirt as the safest way to ward off harmful exposure to UV rays. How helpful are Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings? According to Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS, a board certified plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, FL, where the sun can be brutal, “sunbathers should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. In my cosmetic surgery practice, I deal with women who have experienced serious skin damage from over exposure to the Sun. It is not a pleasant condition, and often requires restorative procedures. In extreme cases, it may require anti-cancer regimens.” At the same time, Dr. Brueck says, “Sunscreen SPFs rated higher than SPF 50 are unnecessary,” a position that is shared by the Skin Cancer Foundation. So, how much sunscreen should you apply? Many experts recommend using about an ounce of sunscreen to cover the entire body. It should be applied 15-20 minutes before exposure and applied again 15 to 30 minutes after initial exposure. Repeated applications are recommended after going in the water, sweating or rubbing up against something. Dr. Brueck, who also blogs on subjects of health and beauty, goes further and recommends applying two coats of sunscreen before going out in the sun when the heat can cause sweating. He also recommends covering up with SPF 50 clothing, particularly if one is going to spend an extended period in the sun, such as on a beach, boat or tennis court. “A hat and UV-protected sun glasses also make sense, as does an SPF 50 umbrella or canvas cover. Don’t overlook the fact that UV rays can be reflected onto your face and body from water, sand and pavement, even when you are in the shade.” On the positive side, BCCs and SCCs can be treated with positive outcomes, when caught early enough. Dr. Brueck cautions, “Your best protection is to be aware of your skin and your habits when in the sun, and see a doctor at any sign of lesions that may present as actinic keratosis.” ~~~~~~~~~~ The author, William Ernest Waites, lives near Sanibel Island, FL, where he has seen more than his share of people emulating pigs on spits. He and his wife frequently travel to other sun-soaked areas in pursuit of additions to their collection tribal art objects. Know your skin if you want to get rid of stretch marks | Causes of Patchy hair loss | How is possible to get rid of acne scars forever? | Cure Acne - The Natural Way! | Medicine Tags: Cosmetic Surgery, skin cancer, SPF, sunbathing, Sunscreen This entry was posted on Thursday, June 30th, 2011 at 5:12 am and is filed under Skin Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.