SUN PROTECTION

Afreen Pappa, MD

JAVᾹNI Med Spa

GOALS

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will:

Understand the effect of UV rays on skin Be able to both define SPF and know the

minimum recommended value for SPF Identify risk factors for sun damage Identify ways to reduce the risk of sun

damage List things that minimize risk of sun damage

Why is sun protection important? What are the benefits of sunlight? What are the risks?

How many of you use a form of sun protection when at the: Beach? Park? Afterschool or afterwork activities? Walking the dog?

LET’S SEE WHAT YOU KNOW (OR DON’T)

1. If you use plenty of sunscreen, you can stay in the sun as long as you'd like.

A. TrueB. False

2. Which of the following surfaces reflects

ultraviolet rays?

A. SnowB. SandC. IceD. WaterE. All of the above

3. You don't need to protect or cover your skin

on cloudy days.

A. TrueB. False

4. Wearing white during hot weather protects you from sun damage because light-colored clothing reflects light, rather than absorbing it.

A. True B. False

5. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least:

A. 5B. 10C. 15D. 30

6. Darker lenses on sunglasses offer better protection from ultraviolet rays than do lighter sunglass lenses.

A. True B. False

7. Sunbathing or sun tanning once in a while won't hurt your skin.

A. True B. False

8. The darker your skin color, the less you need to worry about sun protection.

A. True B. False

PHYSICS

Sunlight Total spectrum of the Electromagnetic

Radiation given off by the sun Electromagnetic Radiation

The full range of wavelengths that makeup light (visible and non-visible)

Light waves are fluctuations of electric and magnetic fields

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

Band of sun rays 5% of sunlight that reaches the earth Reflects off of water, snow, sand and

ice Three types

UVA UVB UVC

UVA 90% reaches the earth on a cloudy day Not blocked by window glass Penetrates light clothing Penetrates deeper into the skin Has more long-term effects than UVB

UVB “B” for burn Cloud cover provides some protection Intensity varies

Time of day Season Altitude Weather

UVC Most rays are absorbed by the earth’s

atmosphere More dangerous than UVA and UVB Causes serious damage to DNA

HOW DOES ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AFFECT THE SKIN?

Sunburns -- the most common and acute response Photoaging – the leading cause of skin aging;

damage begins as early as in one’s 20’s Cancer – ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen

(cancer causing agent)

The effect is cumulative; the more time spent unprotected in the sun over your lifetime, the greater the risks.

MELANIN

Skin’s protective sun filter Natural pigment Acts as a shield against the sun’s

ultraviolet rays Greater in populations that live in areas

with greater sun intensity (Africa, Central America, Indian subcontinent, etc.)

SKIN TYPE

SKIN CANCER

The most common form of cancer in the US

1 million new cases are diagnosed yearly 1 in 5 Americans and 1 in 3 Caucasians

will develop skin cancer in their lifetime >90% of all skin cancers are caused by

sun exposure The risk for skin cancer doubles if a

person has had 5 or more sunburns

TANNING BEDS

Newer high pressure sun lamps can emit UVR in doses 15 times that of the sun

Occasional use of tanning beds almost triples the chance of developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer; the use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk for melanoma by 75%

People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell cancer and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell cancer

On an average day, more than 1 million people in the US tan in tanning salons; 70% are Caucasian women ages 16-49.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Everyone

EVERYONE

SPF -- SUN PROTECTION FACTOR

A rating system developed by the FDA to describe the level of sun protection provided by a sunscreen

For example: an SPF of 30 allows an individual to stay out in the sun 30 times as long as without the sunscreen before developing the same reddening of the skin.

SUNSCREEN

SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming ultraviolet rays

SPF 30 blocks 97 percent SPF 50 blocks 99 percent AAD and the Skin Cancer Foundation

recommend a minimum SPF of 15 Reapply every 2 hours (even on cloudy

days), especially after swimming or sweating

SUNSCREEN RECOMMENDATIONS

Broad spectrum providing protection from UVA UVB

Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure Reapply every 2 hours Reapply immediately after swimming,

toweling off or excess sweating Use 1 ounce each time

SUNSCREENS

Physical Made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide Protect against UVA and UVB Prevent rays from being absorbed

Chemical Mexoryl protects against UVA and UVB Avobenzone or Oxybenzone protect

against UVA OR UVB Absorb rays before they can do damage

SUNSCREENS

Cream formulations Contribute to destruction of coral reefs due

to chemicals Mineral based sun protection

(Colorescience® Sunforgettable) do not have chemicals that affect the environment

SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION RECOMMENDS

Window film Sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection Self tanners Sun protective clothing and fabric Makeup, lip balm and moisturizers with a sunscreen Umbrellas For more information and to learn more about the

“Go With Your Own Glow” campaign go to www.skincancer.org

LET’S SEE WHAT YOU KNOW

1. If you use plenty of sunscreen, you can stay in the sun as long as you'd like.

False

Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours

2. Which of the following surfaces reflectsultraviolet rays?

A. SnowB. SandC. IceD. WaterE. All of the above

All of the above

3. You don't need to protect or cover your skin

on cloudy days.

False

UVA rays still penetrate through clouds

4. Wearing white during hot weather protects you from sun damage because light-colored clothing reflects light, rather than absorbing it.

FalseUV rays are still absorbed through

lighter colored clothing

5. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least:

A. 5B. 10C. 15D. 30

C. 15

6. Darker lenses on sunglasses offer better protection from ultraviolet rays than do lighter sunglass lenses.

FalseGlasses should specifically state that they provide UVA and UVB protection

7. Sunbathing or sun tanning once in a while won't hurt your skin.

FalseSun damage is cumulative

over a lifetime.

8. The darker your skin color, the less you need to worry about sun protection.

False

Even darker skin types can get sun damage and skin cancer.

RESOURCES

www.skincancer.org www.aad.org www.aafp.org