Health & Wellness: Safe Sun

How to get a healthy glow

by Patti Owen, M.N., R.N., Director of Oncology Services, Northside Hospital

June 1, 2008

W arm weather is here! Whether you are lounging by the pool or playing in the park, summer is the time to be outdoors. But being outdoors means being in the sun, and that can be dangerous for you and your family. According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million new skin cancer cases will be diagnosed this year. So before you head outside, take some time to learn your risks for developing skin cancer and ways to protect yourself against the dangers of sun exposure.
   
Skin cancer can be divided into two groups: melanoma and nonmelanoma. Most skin cancer cases are diagnosed nonmelanoma, which develops in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, neck and hands and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Melanoma, on the other hand, is much more serious, accounting for almost 11,000 deaths in 2007 alone. Melanoma may develop from an existing mole or independently and tends to spread to other parts of the body more quickly.

Know your risk     
The risks of developing skin cancer are both environmental and genetic and include:
•Having unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 
•Being fair-skinned, with red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes. (While darker-skinned people can develop skin cancer, it is less common in them than in people with fair skin.)
•Having occupational exposures to coal, tar, radium, creosote and arsenic compounds.
•Having a mother, father, sibling or child who has been diagnosed with melanoma increases your risk by 50 percent.
•Receiving severe sunburns as a child. Sunburn, which is caused by overexposure to UV rays, is a typical sign that your skin is in trouble. A particular danger is the intermittent episodes of sun exposure that occurs before age 18, resulting in peeling or blistering skin. 

Protect yourself     
Too often we think about sun protection when it is too late, such as after we get to the pool, step on the beach or we are already burned. But protecting your skin is the most preventable measure you can take against cancer and should be a part of your daily routine. Below are some skin care protection tips.
•Schedule "sun time" for early or late in the day. Peak sunburn hours are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to avoid intense sunlight during these times.
•Apply plenty of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 on all exposed skin before going outside. This will help reduce, but not completely prevent, the harmful effects of UV rays. Apply sunblock at least 20 minutes before going outside and again every 30 minutes. If you are exposed to water, either through swimming or sweating, a water-resistant sunscreen should be used.
•Protect yourself on cloudy days. Although the weather is overcast, UV rays still travel through clouds. •Wear tightly woven, bright-colored clothing that covers most of the body. Bright colors and tightly woven garments are more effective at blocking the sun's rays and preventing unnecessary exposure.
•Avoid tanning beds. Sun lamps are just another source of UV rays that cause skin damage. 

Safe tanning     
Sunless tanning is a great alternative way to get the golden glow without the harmful exposure to UV rays. Sunless tanning products contain the ingredient dihydroxyacetone, which temporarily darkens the outermost layer of skin. As the skin cells slough off, the tan will gradually disappear, usually within a week, unless the tanner is reapplied.     

Sunless tanners are easy to use; however, they are not all created equal. It may take a few tries to find one that gives you the most natural look. Try gradual tanners to help slowly build the color you want. If you have dry skin, look for products with moisturizers to add softness. If your skin is oily, try alcohol and gel-based products.     

Professional spray tans also are an option. Although these may cost more than the do-it-yourself choices, having a professionally sprayed tan may give you more realistic results and better coverage.     

Remember, a sunless tan is the best tan. Always choose a product with at least an SPF of 15 and exfoliate and moisturize your skin to help keep your tan looking natural as long as possible. 

See your doctor     
All women should check their skin at least once a month for symptoms of sunburn and skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology uses an ABCD rule when doing self-exams:
•Asymmetry – the halves don't match
•Border – irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
•Color – varied from one area to another; shades of tan, brown and black; sometimes white, red or blue
•Diameter – although melanomas are usually larger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.     

If you find anything unusual or a mole that looks different from others, see a dermatologist immediately.

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Digital Mapping For Early Diagnosis Of Skin Cancer
Both melanoma and nonmelanoma are highly curable when found and treated early. It is important to closely examine your skin from time to time for changes in the moles on your body. Noticing changes is the key to the early detection of skin cancer. Many dermatologists now recommend baseline total body photography for patients who are at high risk for skin cancer. Physicians used to rely on memory and self-written notes to track changes on a patient's skin, but Mole Map, a new technology offered at Northside Hospital, creates a digital "map" of  the skin's surface for physicians to use as a baseline for comparison when a suspicious change is found, possibly leading to the early detection of melanoma. For more information on Mole Map, call 1.800.368.6223.