The Damaging Effects of

UVA Rays on the Skin

 
 I can appreciate the lifestyle of any rodeo woman. The integrity and passion that is put into the demanding schedule of any cowgirl is highly respectable. Although I can’t say that I myself am a true cowgirl, I know enough and have been around and taken part of the work involved of caring for horses and working on a ranch.  Sometimes there are countless tiring hours spent in the hot sun and not all of the time you are protected by a covered arena or protected at all from the sun. Yes, a nice golden tan is beautiful, but the long-term effects are damaging. Today, there are alternatives to sun tanning. No, sorry not tanning beds……….but self-tanning lotions! Tanning beds are just as damaging if not worse as the sun. According to the Mayo Clinic, both sunlight and tanning beds raise your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. It's impossible to compare the risks of tanning beds and exposure to sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and tanning beds damages your skin. The degree of damage depends on:

  •                Amount of exposure, which is cumulative throughout your lifetime 

  •                Intensity of the radiation 

  •                 Predominant type (wavelength) of UV light — UVA or UVB

    Sunburn is the immediate effect of overexposure to UV light — UVB more than UVA. Repeated exposure to UV light may lead to tanning and damaging your skin.

    The UV source used in tanning beds gives off high doses of UVA — up to three times more than in sunlight. UVA stimulates the pigment cells (melanocytes), which causes tanning of the skin. In addition to stimulating the pigment cells, UVA can damage the skin's immune system. This decreases its ability to prevent skin cancers including melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. You can prevent UV skin damage by:

                     Avoiding excessive exposure to UV light

               Using sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15  

  • The UV content of sunlight varies. It's greater at higher elevations because it's unfiltered by clouds or haze. But reflected ultraviolet light from snow, sand, water and other highly reflective surfaces can burn as severely as direct sunlight.

    It has long been known that UVB is a cause of sunburn and plays a significant role in superficial skin cancers called basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Research on the relationship between sunlight and melanoma — the most serious type of skin cancer — is less clear-cut. Studies suggest that those exposed to occasional periods of intense sunlight, such as indoor workers who spend vacations lying on a beach, are at greater risk of melanoma compared with farmers, roofers and others who regularly spend long hours in the sun.

    UVA radiation also may contribute to cancer. It penetrates into the deeper layers of your skin and can impair your skin's immune system. UVA usually causes the leathery, sagging, brown-spotted skin of those who spend a lot of time in the sun. The longer waves of UVA can also penetrate window glass, including car windows. Tanning beds also emit high doses of UVA.

    Here are some important questions:

    How important is sunscreen in protecting you from UVA and UVB radiation?

    Protection from the sun is very important in the prevention of skin cancer. To be most effective, protective steps should begin in early childhood. But all people, regardless of age, should practice sun protection. It's the sensible thing to do. The regular and correct use of broad-spectrum sunscreens is the key element of a program to prevent sunburn, sun damage and skin cancer. Other components include sun-protective clothing (broad-brimmed hats, long sleeves, sunglasses) and sun-smart behaviors (avoiding sports or outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day).

    What are some important points for people to know about sunscreens?

    We recommend the proper use of sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15. Probably the biggest problem with sunscreens is that people don't really know how to use them correctly. Studies indicate that people don't use sunscreens as frequently as they should and don't apply a sufficient amount.

    Labels of most sunscreens call for liberal and frequent applications. A liberal application is 1 ounce — the amount in a shot glass — to cover all exposed parts of the body. That's more than most people put on. Timing is important, too. To have the best effect, sunscreens need to be applied 30 minutes before you get to the pool or beach, not after you arrive. And people should reapply even water-resistant sunscreens every 90 minutes

    What about so-called bronzers that make the skin look tanned?

    I think that's an excellent way of getting the look without paying the price. They are safe. The one caveat is that many don't have sunscreen in them, and the "tan" you get with them won't protect you from the sun. You still need to wear sunscreen. But overall, they're a much healthier way to achieve the look without the risk. With experimentation, people can find a level of color that looks best on them.

    • In closing, I hope I have answered your most important sun care concerns. I also encourage you to visit the American Academy of Dermatology to keep yourself educated on the risk of exposure to the sun. You can visit them at http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/SunSkin.html.

    Best Regards,

    Valarie Hurst

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