Sun and skin cancer

Most of us love being outside in the summertime. Sunshine not only makes everything look better, it makes us feel good too. However, it is important to remember that the ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sunlight can damage the cells in your body. It is especially important to avoid getting burnt by the sun. Over time, small amounts of sunburn damage can build up and skin cancer or melanoma may develop as a result. The number of cases of skin cancer has doubled during the last few decades.


Ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage the body's cells.


Tanning is a natural process. When your skin is exposed to the sun it creates the brown, tan-coloured pigment to protect it against the harmful UV rays in the sunlight. But this protection fades during the winter, so remember to be particularly careful in the spring when your skin is pale and unprotected. Having a tan does not guarantee that you will not develop skin cancer later on in your life.

What are the warning signs?


Heat - your skin feels warm to the touch, even when you try to cool it with water.


Reddening.


Soreness.


The reddening can be hard to see at first, but gradually becomes more obvious; you can test for reddening by pressing a fingertip against the skin, for example on your shoulder. Lifting the finger will reveal a white area. If this turns red again quickly, you may have spent too long in the sun.

The importance of skin types

Sunburn can be prevented by following a few basic rules for your particular skin type. Choose one statement from the list below which best describes your skin type. Imagine you are sunbathing in the spring for the first time - without wearing any sunscreen.


I always burn - I never tan.


After spending an hour in the spring sun I feel slightly burnt the next day. After seven days I have a slight tan.


After spending an hour in the spring sun I feel slightly burnt the next day. After seven days I am moderately tanned.


I never feel burnt after spending an hour in the sun. After seven days I am very tanned.


How can sunburn be prevented?

Skin type 1: avoid sunbathing entirely and make sure you cover all bare skin with clothing when exposed to the sun. You will not get a tan and attempting to do so will only cause damage to your skin, which may later develop into skin cancer. Remember that fine, pale skin does not age as quickly as other skin types - your tanned friends will get wrinkles long before you do.

Skin type 2: you should not attempt to get a tan and must be very careful in the sun. Sunbathing can cause damage to your skin, which may later develop into skin cancer. If you cannot stay out of the sun entirely you must use a high sun protection factor sunscreen (SPF 15-20) during the peak of the summer season. At the end of the season you can use a sunscreen with a lower SPF but not lower than 8.

Skin type 3: you should wear a sunscreen with a high SPF for a couple of weeks before switching to one with a lower SPF (not lower than 8). You are also at risk of developing skin cancer and should take care when in the sun.

Skin type 4: you should use an SPF 8 sunscreen. You will still tan though not quite as much as without the sunscreen. Your chances of developing skin cancer are less than those of people with skin type 1, 2 or 3 but the sun can still damage your skin and cause wrinkles.

Medicine, perfume and pregnancy

Certain medicines can cause hypersensitivity to the sun's rays. Patients who take these medicines risk developing severe eczema from sunbathing. Consult your doctor or chemist before sunbathing if you are taking any type of medication.

Certain perfumes and a few perfume-free creams can also have the same effect. To be safe, avoid wearing any products other than sunscreen when exposed to the sun.

Small children usually love the sun and want to stay outside far longer than adults. However, they are very sensitive to the sun's rays and must be protected.

American SPF numbers differ from European SPF numbers

There are two systems for specifying a sunscreen's protection: an American system and a European system. As a rule, American SPF numbers are double the SPF numbers on European products. An American SPF 8 sunscreen is equivalent to European SPF 4.

Remember to check which system is being used when you buy a sunscreen, and ask the pharmacist if you are in doubt.

What you need to know about sunscreens


The starting point for the European SPF system is the period of time in which a person with pale northern-European skin can remain in the sun without getting red and tender - which is normally 20 minutes at the beginning of the sunbathing season.


If, for example, an SPF 8 sunscreen is applied, this means the skin can remain in the sun for 8 x 20 minutes (160 minutes) without getting burnt.


Remember that sunscreens only protect the skin from getting burnt. They do not block out the harmful rays that can cause skin cancer.


To obtain the sun protection factor indicated on the product, make sure you follow these rules:


a thick layer (1-1.5mm) of cream must be applied to obtain the protection indicated on the bottle.


the effect of the sunscreen is significantly reduced after one to two hours in the sun.


to completely protect the skin, either cover it with clothing or apply a total sunblock. Look for total sunblock products containing titanium dioxide.


remember that even on a cloudy day, 30 to 50 per cent of the sun's ultraviolet rays reach your skin - it is still possible to get burnt.


you may not feel the sun's rays so strongly when the wind is blowing.


swimming makes the skin more sensitive to the sun. Use a water-resistant lotion or a product based on liposomes - these penetrate the skin and protect it from the inside. Always re-apply sunscreen after swimming.


sweating dissipates sunscreen: be particularly careful after strenuous physical activity or if you are prone to sweating.


sunscreen is completely harmless, but some people may be allergic to the fragrance or the preservative ingredients.


brief intensive sunbathing is harmful and may contribute to the development of skin cancer (malignant melanoma).


remember that the sun's rays are strongest from 11am to 2pm. If you do not have a watch, then you should not go in the sun unprotected when your shadow is shorter than you are.


What can be done to relieve sunburn?


Cool the sunburnt area in tepid water (approximately 25ºC) for 30 minutes to one hour.


Take extra care when cooling children's burns.


Apply a pain-relieving gel, calamine lotion, or other soothing lotion. Ask your pharmacist for advice on products that can be bought without prescription.


When to contact a doctor

Contact a doctor if:


the skin becomes very red and painful


blisters or a rash form


a small child or infant has been sunburnt.