Summer Skin Care

I’d waited for months to flip the calendar to the month of May. We’d planned a wonderful summer vacation and I was looking forward to relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea, but this year was going to be different. After recently losing a friend to skin cancer (melanoma), I’d become obsessive about my family and if it meant slathering everyone with gobs of creamy product, then I was going to be the sunscreen police on our trip.

In preparation for the big day, I went shopping. I needed to buy sunscreen. In the store, there were sprays, creams and balms – some waterproof, some water-resistant and some neither. The levels of protection ranged greatly from SPF 15 all the way up to 80+. As I tried to select the best product, the terminology confused me – UVA, UVB, SPF, broad spectrum. I felt like I needed a degree to decipher all the initials, so I bought nothing that day.

At home, I consulted “Dr. Google.” As I read, I discovered SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” I also found there are two different kinds of rays that affect the skin – Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). Both are part of the spectrum of light emitted by the sun. UVA rays cause wrinkles and aging while UVB rays are the rays that can burn skin. UVA rays can penetrate glass, UVB rays typically can’t. Overexposure to either of these rays could lead to skin cancer.

I learned not all sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Only broad-spectrum products do that. Sunscreens block or absorb UV rays before they damage skin. Some products, such as those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide create a barrier on the skin’s surface that block and scatter UV rays.

Looking at the difference between SPF numbers I discovered SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays and SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays. But there are other factors that must be considered such as skin coloring, length of exposure and medications. Fair-skinned people, like my daughter, needed a stronger SPF product. Those choosing to be in and out of water might need a water-resistant sunscreen. Some blood pressure medications, like the lisinopril my husband takes, can cause a person to be very susceptible to the sun and to burn easily no matter what level of sunscreen was applied. For optimal protection, all products I researched recommended application 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and then reapplication every two hours thereafter and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Since my friend Greg’s death, I learned excessive exposure to the sun and repeated cases of sunburn could lead to a dangerous form of skin cancer called melanoma. This type cancer can appear anywhere on the body but most often appears on exposed body parts like the back, arms, legs and face. Melanoma occurs when melanin-producing cells (melanocytes), the cells that give color to your skin, are damaged. Exposure to UV light doesn't cause all melanomas, but it can certainly put you at risk for developing one.

To reduce the risk of melanoma or other types of skin cancers, it’s important to avoid being out in the sun during the middle of the day. During that time, the sun’s rays are the strongest. It’s also important to wear sunscreen throughout the year, not just when it’s sunny. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet rays come through and can damage the skin. Protective clothing can help, along with hats and polarized sunglasses.

Melanoma often appear as odd-looking moles. That’s why it’s important to pay particular attention to your skin. Be aware of any existing moles or those that appear suddenly. There are particular characteristics you should watch for and if you remember the letters ABCDE, they’ll help:

• Asymmetrical shape: Watch for moles that are shaped irregularly and may have two different looking halves.
• Border: Watch for moles with oddly shaped borders, especially notched or scalloped borders which are characteristics of melanomas.
• Color: Pay attention to the color of moles. If they are light with a dark center or vice versa, or if there are other color abnormalities, get them checked.
• Diameter: Pay particular attention to moles larger than a pencil eraser.
• Evolving: Moles that change size, shape or color over time should be checked. Also, watch for itchiness or bleeding.

My husband wasn’t too happy to have a thick coating of sunscreen on the tops of his ears, on the tip of his nose and on his forehead, but he knew I was serious about keeping all of us safe. Thankfully, through my policing efforts, none of us suffered sunburn while on vacation.

Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies and we must take care to protect it, especially during the hot summer months when many of us choose to be outside. There’s an old slogan for Olay, “Love the skin you’re in.” If we’re going to love the skin we’re in, we have to take good care of it. Otherwise, skin cancer might become an unwanted part of our future and no one wants that.

It only takes a few minutes to apply sunscreen, and with the convenience of many of the new spray on products, it’s easier than ever. And don’t forget to use sunscreen year-round. You don’t have to wait to be in the summer sun to use it.

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