DYK UV Safety? Kristin Shaw, mySpaShop

Who doesn’t love to soak in the sun on a beautiful summer day? Eyes closed, face upturned, the warmth of the sun’s rays relax us as the surrounding world fades away.

Feels like a healing experience, but without proper protection, we could be doing some serious and potentially dangerous damage to our skin.

Cancer of the skin is the most common cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.  Many of us are under the assumption that melanoma is the most deadly. But we’d be wrong.  With more than 1 million cases of Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) diagnosed in the U.S. each year, SCC is the second most common skin cancer with latest figures suggesting that more than 15,000 people die from it.  That is more than twice as many as from melanoma.  Melanoma ranks 2nd in deaths.  An estimated 7,230 people will die from it in 2019 and an estimated 192,310 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019.  Of the Melanoma deaths, approximately 66% will be men and 34% women.The number one form of cancer Basil Cell Carcinoma (BCC), an estimated 4.3 million cases of are diagnosed in the U.S. each year with about 3,000 deaths.  ...

Some of us are under the assumption that the states that get the most sun overall likely have the most incidences of skin cancer.  Wrong....  Find your state in the chart below.  Click on image for more detail.

Unless you have your head buried in the sand, you have heard all the messages, and you understand the need to use a good sunscreen that offers good protection. But what do all those letters mean? UVA? UVB? SPF? And what SPF number makes sense? 

SPF(sun protection factor) is the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun and theoretically represents the amount of time you can be exposed to the sun without protection before burning. For example, if you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes before you burn then by wearing an SPF 20 would enable you to stay out 200 minutes or twenty times that period without protection. This does NOT take into account sweating, swimming, or using a towel, any of which would remove your sunscreen. The key is to stay on top of it, and re-apply often. 

UVA (ultraviolet A) rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancers such as melanoma. Because UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer (the protective layer of atmosphere, or shield, surrounding the earth), they make up the majority of our sun exposure.

UVB (ultraviolet B) rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts, and immune system damage, as well as also contributing to skin cancer. Melanoma is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but enough of these rays pass through to cause serious damage.

UVC (ultraviolet C) rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don't reach the earth. Finally, some good news!

Aside from uncomfortable or even painful sunburn, the sun wreaks havoc on our skin’s appearance, in ways that may not be seen until we get older. These effects include age spots and freckles, wrinkles, and thinned or thickened blood vessels. Sun exposure can lead to cataracts or retina damage. 

Now that there’s no excuse for not adhering to sun safety rules whenever you are outdoors, here are some basic steps you can take to protect your health and appearance:

1. Apply sunscreen of SPF15 or higher, at least 30 min prior to sun exposure (and don’t forget to reapply after being in the water or engaging in any physical activity that makes you sweat!). Some of our favorites are Brave Soldier Solar Shield SPF 30, Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Sunscreen SPF 15  or their SPF 15 Gel and SouthSeas Sport Lotion SPF 30.
2. Reduce sun exposure between the hours of 10am – 4pm while the sun’s rays are at their peak. When you do head out, check the UV index in your local weather forecast, and plan activities and protective steps accordingly.
3. Protect your eyes by wearing UV protective sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat. We love these effective yet gorgeous products by Physician Endorsed  and UV activewear from BloqUV 
4. Be diligent about protecting your kids. You can’t keep them inside all summer – and the sun, in limited doses, is actually healthy for their immune systems and bones. Take a cue from Australias Slip-Slop-Slap campaign: slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat!
5. After your time in the sun, even when protected, your skin will love some TLC. We recommend TARA Sun Therapy Rehydrator Lotion, Kerstin Florian Rehydrating Neroli Water, and June Jacobs After Sun Hydrator.  Shop more Sun Protection & Tanning products here. 
6.  At least once a month, examine your skin from head to toe (you can self examine or use a partner), observing any abnormalities. The Skin Cancer Foundation offers excellent information on what to look for.

While sun damage cannot be reversed, you can enjoy younger looking skin with effective anti-aging products, such as Spa Technologies Regenerative Oil or  Spa Technologies Eco Protective Cream

A bit of sun is a healthy thing. We need 10 minutes a day to ensure that we get enough Vitamin D, important for the health of our hearts and our bones, and for maintaining a strong immune system. Unfortunately, any sun exposure above and beyond that is overkill and unsafe. Be smart about the sun – you’ll be glad in the long run.