No one wants to admit it, but the sun is bad for your skin, particularly if you have light skin. It not only causes premature aging, it is also responsible for 3.5 million people developing skin cancer, annually, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation. The time when the most damage from the sun occurs, as far as timing, is between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. As far as age, the more sunburns you had during childhood, the higher the chances are that you will develop some type of skin cancer during your lifetime.
Significance
Your skin can burn even on a cloudy day. Ultraviolet rays are part of the electromagnetic continuum that extends from the sun to the earth. They are imperceptible to humans. There are three distinct wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC. Only UVA and UVB break through the atmosphere and cause skin cancers, premature aging, cataracts and the suppression of the immune system. UVA rays come through even on a cloudy or smog-filled day, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Types
Regardless of the type of rays your skin is exposed to, the most damage to your skin could have been acquired during your childhood. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous and melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly of the three and is the leading cancer among teenagers and young adults spanning in age from 15 to 29, notes the EPA's SunWise Program.
Prevention/Solution
If you must be out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., protect your skin to prevent sunburn, or even a suntan, which is really damaged skin. First, research the types of sunscreen products. Assess your skin type so you know which strength you should get, or ask your dermatologist or a pharmacist.
Sunscreens are labeled with the acronym SPF, which simply means sun protection factor. The SPF label is followed by a number. The SPF number is an indicator of how much protection you will receive from UVB exposure, or ultraviolet light B. If the number is 30, you will derive more protection than if it is only 15.
Warning
You should not assume that because you are using an SPF 30 that you can stay out in the sun for a longer. The label indicates what percentage of UVB rays the sunscreen filters out. Do not wait for your skin to feel burned before you get out of the sun. According to MayoClinic.com, it may take up to 24 hours before you can actually see a burn.
Expert Insight
Additional ways to protect yourself from the sun are to wear sunglasses that safeguard your eyes against UV rays; coat your lips, eyes, ears, and nose with sunscreen; wear a hat with a brim that protects your neck; and wear clothing that has sun protection. The best way to protect yourself and your children from potential dangerous cancers is to be wary of the sun's strength -- year-round -- and get into the habit of using sunscreen.
