Important Information to know about the Sun & Sunscreens

As your dermatologist, I would like for you to know and understand what the sun can do to your skin and the steps you can take to protect yourself from it. Some facts to consider:

• Sun induced skin diseases have increased over 25%.
• According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
• In 1998 alone, over 1,000,000 people were diagnosed with skin cancer.
  • Melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer accounted for 41,600 of those new diagnoses.
  • Sadly, 7,300 lives were lost from the same cancer.
• Among women:
  • Ages 25-29, skin cancer is the number 1 form of malignancy.
  • Ages 30 and older, skin cancer is the number 2 form of death. Surpassed only by breast cancer.

While sunlight is a part of our everyday life and is accepted by most as “good and beneficial”, advances in our knowledge of photo dermatology, however, has been able to prove otherwise.

Ultraviolet radiation has become a major environmental factor known to cause deleterious effects to our health. Topical sunscreens have become an essential tool in providing protection against both acute and chronic adverse effects of solar radiation.

There are different types of UV rays, all affecting the skin differently. The 2 most damaging rays are: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the “aging rays”, the wavelengths are longer, reaching deeper into the skin and having the greater affect. UVB rays are the “burning rays”, the wavelengths being shorter only the top layer of skin is affected causing a burn.

The effects of both UVA and UVB are additive and work together to cause photo damage and skin cancers. Because of the different effects, it is best to invest in a sun protection that will protect against both types from an early age.