Article written by Dr.
Beatrice Wang, a dermatologist practicing in
Like everyone else, I appreciate sunshine. Especially after a long dark
winter, people are happier, moods are brighter, skies are clearer.
But unlike everyone else, every day I see the damage that sun does to
skin. As a dermatologist, assistant professor of dermatology, as well as the
director of a melanoma clinic, teaching people to protect their skin from the
sun is one of my greatest challenges. While the sun does us a lot of good –indeed,
we could not live without it – it can also age our skin prematurely, burn our
skin, and worst of all, mutate our skin cells and cause cancer.
I have noticed that all of the warnings in newspapers and on television
about the damage caused by the sun’s rays seem to provoke two extreme
reactions:
We do not have to fall into either extreme; with some forethought and
protection, we can enjoy the benefits that sun can bring us. If we can modify
our behaviour, and demystify the sometimes confusing rules of what we need to
do to protect ourselves and our families, there is no reason to feel fear.
While we use physical protection such as shade, parasols, clothes, hats,
sunglasses to protect ourselves, we should also look to sunscreens as a tool to
protect our skin so that we can safely go outside and enjoy our favourite
activities.
With all the advice, information and warnings about the sun in recent
years it is no wonder that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation. We
will now explore some of the common myths and misperceptions about the sun and
sun protection.
Fact: Sunscreen
can work as a cream, lotion, spray, gel or stick, as long as you apply it
properly as instructed on the package. For any kind of sunscreen, reapplication
every two hours is required.
Fact: SPF (Sun
Protection Factor) is measured on a curve, not a straight line. For example,
SPF 2 protects you from about 50% of UV rays, SPF 15 from about 93% and SPF 30
from about 97%.
Certain very high SPF sunscreens (SPF 60, for example) are most
appropriate for special cases, such as concerns about hyper pigmentation, or
marked hypersensitivity to the sun.
It is important to note that SPF does not measure how much UVA
protection you are getting, so higher SPF sunscreens do not necessarily have
increased protection against UVA exposure.
Fact: Sunscreen does
not block vitamin D absorption, but it does block out the UV rays that allow
the body to produce it. However, so little sun exposure is required to produce
the required amount of Vitamin D that it does not justify the risks of
unprotected sun exposure.
Fact: As with
everything else in life, when you pay for a sunscreen, you could actually end
up paying primarily for expensive packaging. Sunscreens across the price
spectrum that meet the requirements set out by the Canadian Dermatology
Association are all effective in preventing sun damage if used correctly. As
long as they protect yourself from both UVA and UVB rays, you can choose
whichever brand you will use consistently.
Fact: Tanning
represents damage to the skin, and tanning beds are not regulated under the
Food and Drug Act, so you have no way of knowing the intensity of the UV rays
to which you are being exposed. The best protection against strong sun in
warmer climates is to use a higher SPF sunscreen from the time you get off the
airplane, and to limit the amount of direct exposure you have to the sun.
Fact: Daily sun
protection needs to be a regular habit for people with all skin types. As well,
some African-Canadians have problems with blotchy pigmentation, and sunscreen
is important during its treatment to even out the complexion.
Fact: Sunscreen
is not a carcinogen. Using sunscreens with an SPF below 15 may allow you to
stay in the sun longer without burning, but they will not protect you against
all UV exposure. Stick to proper application of sunscreen with at least SPF 15,
look for both UVA and UVB on the bottle.
Fact: The
prevalence of UV rays has nothing to do with the temperature, and UV rays are
present year-round. UV rays can actually be intensified by reflection of snow.
Fact: While UV
rays might not be as strong on a cloudy day, they are still present. One common
cause of sunburn is the sudden appearance of sun for which one was not
prepared. As well, while the clouds might make it feel cooler, UV radiation is
not linked to temperature, and may still be quite high. . Sun protection should
be a daily habit, irrespective of the weather.
Fact: Glass
reduces transmission of UVB rays, but some UVA rays get through, and their
effect can add up over the years.