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SUN PROTECTION

1. How much sunscreen should be used, and how often should it be applied?

Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. When applying sunscreen, pay particular attention to the face, hands and arms, and coat the skin liberally. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Be careful to cover exposed areas completely - a missed spot could mean a patchy, painful sunburn. Don't forget that lips get sunburn too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen, preferably with a SPF of 15 or higher.

Sunscreens should be applied in the morning and reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called water-resistant sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water.

Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you've towel-dried, reapply waterproof sunscreen for continued protection.

2. Is sunscreen application all I need to do to protect myself from the sun?

No, although sunscreens are a very important part of maximum sun protection, wide brimmed hats, protective clothing and sun avoidance (between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) are also important. Current sunscreen preparations are not sufficiently protective to be used as the sole means of sun protection. Sunscreens should be viewed as a back up to primary means of sun protection such as shirts, hats and sun avoidance.

A number of studies have confirmed that repeated sunburns substantially increase the risk for melanoma. This is especially true for childhood sunburns because there is more time and opportunity for subsequent sun damage to lead to fully malignant melanoma.

3. Is there a safe way to tan?

There is no known safe way to tan. A suntan is the skin's response to an injury. Tanning occurs when the sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin's inner layer, which causes the skin to produce more melanin as a response to the injury. Chronic exposure to the sun results in a change in the skin's texture causing wrinkling and age spots.

4. Can melanoma be prevented?

Because overexposure to ultraviolet light is thought to be a primary cause of many melanomas, dermatologists recommend the following precautions:
" Avoid peak sunlight hours (10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.) when the sun's rays are the strongest.
" Seek shade whenever possible. Remember, "no shadow…seek the shade!" If your shadow is shorter than you are, the damaging rays of the sun are at their strongest and you are likely to sunburn.
" Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply ever two hours, especially when playing, gardening, swimming or doing any other outdoor activities.
" Wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirt and pants during prolonged periods of sun exposure.

5. Can the UV rays in sunlight damage my eyes?

Yes, sun damage can contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal damage and pterygiums. Eye protection should consist of good quality sunglasses in addition to shade and hats. Sunglasses should offer 99-100% protection from UVA and UVB light as well as screening out 75-95% of the visible light. They should be breakage resistant with brown, gray, green or amber lenses. Wraparound style and polarization are advised to help reduce glare and eye fatigue, but must not obstruct peripheral vision.

6. How do I treat sunburn?

In case you forget to cover up and apply sunscreen, the resulting sunburn can be dangerous. There are several types of burns and burn treatments.

Remember that you may not immediately see the effects of the overexposure to the sun. It may take up to 24 hours before the full damage is visible.

The two most common are first degree and second degree burns.

First-degree sunburns cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. These can be painful and are best treated with cool baths and bland moisturizers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Aspirin taken orally may lessen early development of sunburn.

Second-degree sunburns blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. When a burn is severe, accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help right away. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter. Several studies associate severe childhood or adolescent sunburns with the development of malignant melanoma, a potentially lethal form of skin cancer, later in life.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology
International Life Saving Federation