Keep Skin Beautiful

All though it's the end of the summer, the sun's rays can still penetrate through the clouds. In fact, there is still a chance of developing skin cancer even in the winter.

Here at The Thrifty Scholar we understand that there is a great deal of information regarding skin safety, and some of it can be confusing so we broke it down for you by answering some of the questions readers submitted.

Q: I love the way a tan makes me look, plus I’ve heard there are actually some benefits to sunlight! Is this true?

A: Yes, spending 30 minutes a day in the sun several times a week is a good source of Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium, a mineral needed to maintain healthy bones. However, most people don’t have a problem getting enough Vitamin D since it requires very little sunlight, even with sunblock on.

Sunlight has also been useful in treating psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo, but you should always consult your doctor before undergoing these treatments.

Q: OK. If spending time in the sun is making me healthier, why do people tell me it’s bad for me?

Too much of a good thing can be harmful, and sunlight is no exception to this wise proverb.

The sun emits ultraviolet light, known as UV rays. While UV rays are responsible for making the Vitamin D we spoke of earlier, it is also linked to skin cancer. 

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and has multiple layers. The top-most layer is known as the ‘epidermis’ and it regenerates itself completely every 2-3 weeks to replace cells that have become damaged.  To explore the anatomy of skin, check out this interactive slideshow from National Geographic.

UV rays penetrate into individual skin cells, and damages the cell’s DNA. When these damaged cells undergo their regeneration process they mutate and replicate very quickly, causing abnormal growth which can lead to skin cancer. UV rays also cause the breakdown of collagen, brown sun spots, wrinkles, and saggy skin. 

To learn more about UV rays, watch this excerpt from the TV documentary “The Universe.”

Q: So too much sun exposure might lead to skin cancer. It probably won’t happen to me.

Think again. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and the Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Our skin is made up of different cell types, and the chart below shows those that are most at risk for skin cancer:

Skin Cell Type	Tumor Name	Frequency	Quick Facts
Basal Cells	Basal Cell Carcinoma	2.8 million cases/year	Most common; rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow.
Squamous Cells	Squamous Cell Carcinoma	700,000 cases/year	2nd most common, can spread to other organs.
Melanocytes	Melanoma	The fastest growing cancer in the US.	Less common, but easily spreads to other organs in it’s later stages.

Skin tumors are commonly found on parts of the body exposed to the sun. The people at highest risk for skin cancer are those that spend a lot of time in the sun. 

Q: I don’t want to be another skin cancer statistic. How do I protect myself and my family from skin damage?

The key to preventing skin cancer is to avoid too much sun exposure:

1.       Avoid deliberate tanning.

2.       Limit sun exposure between 10a-4pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

3.       Wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UV rays.

4.       Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Enter your zip code into this widget to find out what the UV rating is for your area.

Q: There are so many different types of sunscreens available now. How does it work and which one is right for me?

Sunscreen creates a protective layer that prevents the UV rays from penetrating your skin’s surface. The Food and Drug Administration finalized new sunscreen regulations this year. 

 Look for:

• "Broad Spectrum" sunscreen which provides UVA (think to yourself A is for aging) and UVB (think to yourself B is for burning) protection. Both rays are cancer-causing.
• Since sunscreen companies will no longer label their products as “sunblock”, “waterproof” or “sweatproof”; look at  how many minutes the sunscreen resists water. Use longer-lasting sunscreen if you will be sweating a lot or going into the water.

• It's not certain yet if SPF's over 50 will be banned. Some think that anything over SPF 50 is marginally beneficial. You will need at least a SPF 15 which blocks 93% of UVB and SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB.

Remember, you need to make sure that protective layer of sunscreen isn’t too thin, and that it doesn’t get washed or wiped off. Apply a shot-glass amount of sunscreen all over exposed skin and re-apply every 2 hours after sweating or swimming.

Q: I really love the healthy glow my tan gives me. Isn’t there any way I can tan safely?

Any tan or sunburn is a sign of skin damage which will occur when your body is overly exposed to UV rays. This is true regardless of whether you tan outdoors, or in a tanning bed.

The only safe tan comes from a bottle. Good quality self-tanning products and bronzing make-up, along with daily moisturizing and weekly exfoliation, will ensure a beautiful “bottle” tan.

Sun Safety Apps: 

• Sun Safety (free for the Apple iPhone): Provides useful, up-to-date sun exposure danger information for any U.S. city, along with tips on how to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer.

• UV Index (free for Android): This easy-to-use app allows you to enter your zip code or city/state to get the color-coded UV index each day.

• Coppertone MyUVAlert (free for the Apple iPhone): Offers custom SPF reapplication reminders along with personalized product recommendations, coupons, sun protection advice, and local UV index forecasts.

• Handy Weather for Blackberry (Free for the Blackberry): Venturing out of the country? This app shares worldwide weather forecasts for over 40,000 preset cities, including the UV index, real feel temperature, wind, and humidity.