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Most of us know that to protect ourselves from sunburn and skin damage, we should stay out of the sun during midday hours, use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing. Now we'll address the common myths of sun and tanning. Myth:
SPF 30 sunscreen offers twice the protection
of SPF 15 sunscreen.
Fact:
The math isn't that simple. The American
Academy of Dermatology's fact
sheet says that SPF 15 blocks 93% of the sun's
UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97%. The
SPF rating indicates the amount of time a person
can be exposed to sunlight without burning relative
to exposure time with no sunscreen. So if you normally
burn after 30 minutes in the sun, in theory SPF 15
sunscreen will enable you to stay in the sun 15 times
longer (7.5 hours) without burning. In practice,
the actual amount of protection you receive depends
on many factors, such as your skin type, the amount
of sunscreen applied and frequency of reapplication,
and loss of sunscreen due to sweat, water, and skin
absorption. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF value
of 15 or higher, apply it 15 to 30 minutes before
sun exposure, and reapply it at least once every
two hours or after swimming or perspiring heavily. Myth:
Broad spectrum sunscreens protect you from
all of the sun's harmful rays.
Fact:
No sunscreen can protect you from 100% of
the sun's harmful rays, and most sunscreens offer
less protection from UVA rays than UVB rays. UVB
rays are the primary cause for sunburns, and UVA
rays are the primary cause of tanning. Both UVA and
UVB rays contribute to skin cancer risk, skin aging,
and damage to the eyes and immune system. According to a 2003 article from US News & World Report, even broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreens do not protect wearers from certain types of UVA rays. Since SPF only measures UVB protection, the only way to judge UVA protection is to check for ingredients like zinc oxide and Parsol 1789 (avobenzone), which offer strong UVA protection. The FDA has proposed a new sunscreen labeling system, which would include a four star rating system for UVA protection in addition to SPF ratings. Myth:
Getting a "base tan" before going on a tropical
vacation will prevent sunburns.
Fact:
According to a Mayo Clinic article,
a base tan does not offer significant protection
from sunburns. Tanned skin offers a protection equivalent
to SPF 4 sunscreen or less, which means almost no
protection at all. However, doctors do recommend
that patients with certain types of eczema or psoriasis
get pre-exposure to UV light before visiting a sunny
climate. Myth:
Tanning in a salon is safer than tanning
under sunlight.
Fact:
The FDA
warns: "Indoor tanning can be as harmful as outdoor
tanning." Since tanning bulbs primarily emit UVA
rays and not UVB rays, people usually tan without
burning in salons. However, the Mayo Clinic article
says: "Any change in skin color is a sign of damage
from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Repeated exposure
to UV radiation – whether from the sun or a
sunlamp – increases your risk of premature
skin aging and skin cancer." The FDA discourages
the use of tanning beds and sunlamps. If you simply
can't resist the tanning beds, remember to limit
the number of visits and the amount of time you spend
per visit, and always wear sunscreen and protective
goggles while tanning. Myth:
Sunless tanners and bronzers are the safest
way to get a tan.
Fact:
This one is true, since these products achieve
the look of a tan without UV exposure. Dihydroxyacetone
(DHA) is the active ingredient in most tanning products,
and it makes the skin darker by reacting with amino
acids in dead skin cells. Since dead skin is constantly
shed, this color change only lasts for five to seven
days. DHA has been FDA-approved
for external use since 1973, and has been used in
cosmetic products for about 30 years. Tanning booths
that apply a tanning spray containing DHA, such as
Mystic
Tan, must be careful to prevent the product
from contacting users' eyes, lips, and mucous membranes,
and prevent inhalation and ingestion. The "tans"
produced by these products offer no sun protection. Discuss This ArticleHave something you'd like to say? Tell us what you think! Read and post comments for this article. Like this article? Read more! Browse our archive of 1,085 articles. Also, see our master index of all MedHunters articles! Find a JobChoose your career: MedHunters is the world's biggest healthcare job board. Our job directory has 17,514 jobs with 2,480 hospitals and other direct employers. We want you to find your next job on MedHunters. Need Help? Call us at 1-888-884-8242, email us at info@medhunters.com or sign up now. Have an article or story for MedHunters? Email us today at submissions@medhunters.com. |
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