3 Best Practices for Skin Protection

6/2/2014

As you head outside to work in the yard, go for a swim or enjoy a round of golf, protect yourself.

Sun damage comes from two kinds of rays — ultraviolet A (UVA, or long-wave) and ultraviolet B (UVB, or short-wave).

UVA penetrates skin deeply and contributes to tanning, as well as wrinkling and other signs of aging. It can also cause skin cancer. UVA penetrates cloud cover and window glass, meaning it damages skin even on cloudy days.

UVB penetrates more shallowly. It leads to sunburn, as well as other skin damage. UVB can harm eyes and cause skin cancer.

Why Does Sun Exposure Matter? 
Sun exposure can lead to the most common form of cancer in the United States: skin cancer. If a mole or mark displays one of the following ABCDEs, ask your doctor to check it for cancer.

• asymmetry, meaning the sides are shaped differently
• an uneven border
• more than one color
• a diameter wider than an pencil eraser
• evolution, meaning change over time

Sunscreen Label 101 
The number of sunscreen options in your neighborhood drugstore can seem overwhelming. And how can you know whether the claims on the bottle are actually true? The Food and Drug Administration recently changed labeling standards for sunscreen. Here’s what you should know.

• Sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays is labeled “broad spectrum.”
• Products that are broad spectrum and have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 can state that they protect against sunburn and can reduce the risk of skin cancer and skin aging.
• Products that are not broad spectrum or that have an SPF 14 or less carry a “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert” label.
• Water-resistant sunscreen labels must identify how long the SPF will be effective — either 40 or 80 minutes.
• Sunscreens can no longer be labeled as “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” “sunblock” or “instant protection.”

Have you noticed a change in your skin? Let your doctor take a look. If you don’t already have a physician, you can find one by using our Find a Physician feature.

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Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health. Back