Health & Wellness

Surviving Summer’s Scorchers

Protecting Yourself from Harmful Rays of Light

[ Written By Janine S. Pouliot ]

The good ole summer time is a pleasure for just about everyone. But the summer sun … well, not so much. That big yellow globe in the sky definitely has its downsides: skin damage from exposure, sunburn, heat exhaustion and even the potential for heat stroke. But there are ways to enjoy the summer season and still mitigate the disadvantages of all that glorious sunshine. It just takes a little know-how and prevention.

The medical community is in complete agreement that the rays emitted by the sun are not our allies. Not only are they dangerous in terms of skin cancer, they also prematurely age us. Dr. Alexander Gross, a dermatologist specializing in general and cosmetic dermatology at Georgia Dermatology Center, Cumming, explains what’s going on. “There are two types of sun rays responsible for sun damage. When you go to a tanning salon you’re getting mainly UVA. But when you’re out in the sun, you’re getting both UVA and UVB.”

To clarify the difference between the rays, Gross suggests thinking of it this way: The “B” in UVB could stand for burning, while “A” in UVA stands for aging. Neither type is something anybody should want.

Sunscreen to the Rescue

UVA penetrates very deep in the skin where collagen and elastin are located, thus damaging the proteins that keep skin looking young. That’s where sunscreen comes in. However, not all sunscreens are created equal and what you don’t know can definitely hurt you.

For starters, numbers do count. There is a theory circulating around the dermatology world that any sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) above 30 is really overkill. Not so, notes Gross. “The science behind SPF can be explained in a simple fashion.” Essentially, naked skin in a laboratory is exposed to sun and monitored to ascertain how long it takes for that area to get red. Next, a layer of sunscreen containing a precise amount of skin protection is applied to another patch and checked for time to reach sunburn. An equation is then developed which identifies the SPF level. “Let’s say without sunscreen it would take five minutes to redden,” Gross said. “We would expect that if you used an SPF of 15, it would take five times 15, or 75 minutes to get red.”

It’s pretty straightforward until you examine how people put on sunscreen. “People are probably applying about half of what the manufacturers use during the studies,” Gross noted. And that’s where the SPF number really counts. If you aren’t following the letter of the sunscreen law, then the highest SPF screen available affords you just that much more protected time in the sun.

“I think one of the most common mistakes that people make is not applying sunscreen early enough before exposure,” added Stacy Crabtree, registered nurse at Byrd Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center, Roswell. “You should apply at least 20 to 30 minutes prior to going outside.” Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on a cloudy day, when the sun’s harmful effects are still a risk. The best defense is to keep sunscreen accessible at all times. For instance, MD Skincare has a new line of SPF 30 Sunscreen Packettes that can be easily tucked in a purse or pocket to ensure you “never leave home without it.” The SPF 30 disposable pads also remove iron (found in tap water) from your skin, which magnifies sun exposure. For more information or to order these sunscreen packettes, visit www.mdskincare.com.

It’s also important to use sunscreen that blocks all types of rays. “[Some] sunscreens have only UVB protection,” Gross said, which means UVA rays are getting in even though you’re not burning. Today’s newer sunscreen using Helioplex is one option that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Helioplex is considered by many skin doctors to be the most revolutionary breakthrough in sunscreens in decades. It provides higher levels of protection for longer periods of time and is much more sun worshiper-friendly than anything else on the market. It doesn’t break down as quickly as traditional screens that just sort of evaporate even if you don’t sweat or swim.

Protecting Little Ones

As more and more studies discover rising melanoma, especially in teens and young adults, parents can protect and serve by making sure children wear sunscreen outdoors from infancy on. And it’s essential to reapply regularly, particularly if kids are also swimming, sweating or even playing on the playground. “Sunscreens may claim they’re waterproof, but they are not sand proof,” explained Dr. Lemuel Arnold, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente TownPark Medical Center, Kennesaw.

For infants under six months, Arnold points out that minimal usage of sunscreen may be OK, but problems may occur when toxic chemicals are absorbed into the skin — thus the labeling of sunscreen for six months and up. “Smaller children have a greater skin surface-to-sunscreen volume ratio. Therefore the sunscreen is absorbed in higher concentrations,” he said.

The best approach, noted Arnold, is to stay stationed in the shade and dress infants in protective clothing such as a shirt, shorts and socks. But be wary of overdressing little ones in intense heat. “Kids have less ability to control their temperature, so it’s easy for them to overheat,” Arnold said. In addition, considerable heat is lost through the head and if tots are wearing a hat, parents need to be even more careful to keep them cool and in the shade.

Appropriate Clothing

Well-meaning parents anxious to protect against the fierce summer sun often outfit their children in lightweight white T-shirts at the pool or beach to help reflect the intense light. But they’re on the wrong course.

“Lightly colored fabrics transmit ultraviolet light. So the light gets passed through to the skin,” Gross said. By contrast, dark clothing absorbs the ultra violet rays so the damaging rays stay locked within the fabric, never making contact with the skin. While it may seem that a dark blue or black shirt is the most unsuitable garment for outdoor activities, it’s actually the best choice. In addition, arms should be fully covered and the garment should hang loosely from the body. Tight clothing tends to stretch as we move, leaving gaps for the sun to penetrate. Opt instead for fabrics with a tight weave.

One option is to purchase garments treated with chemical UV absorbers, known as colorless dyes. Only clothing with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of at least 15 may be labeled as sun protective, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Attire marketed as sun blockers usually have an UPF of 50 or more.

A similar effect can be achieved with a laundry additive called Sun Guard, which contains the sunscreen Tinosorb(R)FD. When added to detergent, it increases the UPF of clothing and lasts through 20 washings, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Soothing Relief

In the unfortunate event that you do get sunburned, the best way to treat it is with an application of aloe, said Dr. Gabrielle Sabini, dermatologist, North Atlanta Dermatology, Duluth and Johns Creek. “But use the real plant, not aloe from a jar. Also, a soak in green tea may help. Tropical steroids prescribed by a doctor can get rid of inflammation.”

Crabtree also recommended a variety of sunburn treatments. “Some home remedies include a wash cloth soaked in cold milk. The reason for that is the milk proteins form a film that helps ease the discomfort,” she explained. “Also cold compresses with apple cider vinegar will help alleviate pain associated with sunburns. Another option is a cold bath with two ounces of baking soda. And be sure to avoid soap, which can be very drying.”

When treating a sunburn, avoid any ointments or greasy lotions because they can block glands and prevent heat from escaping your skin. Instead, apply 1 percent Hydrocortisone cream several times a day, take ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory pain reliever and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, suggested Crabtree.

And keep your hands off that burn, warns Sabini. “Let [skin] exfoliate on its own. When the burn is in the blistering stage, the skin underneath is raw and if you peel it, you run the risk of leaving a scar.”

But when should someone visit the doctor for treatment? “Basically a sunburn is a thermal injury so you have to treat it like any other burn,” Crabtree said. “You should seek medical attention if it is a large area of the body that becomes blistered. If you start running a fever or have extreme pain, you should check with your doctor.”

Summer fun offers plenty of opportunity for recreation and relaxation. To stay healthy and protect yourself, all it takes is a little forethought and planning. pn

Lead photo courtesy of ©photos.com