By Heather McCauley
Today is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. And what better way to welcome summer than by talking about its most prominent feature, the sun? Today, the sun will shine longer than any other day of the year (sorry, Southern Hemi – this won’t happen until December for you). While most of us have a casual relationship with the sun – perhaps missing it when clouds obstruct it from our view, others have a more intense relationship with this celestial body. We witness and romanticize beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We plan entire days’ activities around the sun. We also allow the sun’s rays to wash over our bodies, some of us to the point of ritualistic worship – only feeling satisfied when we have turned our skin a different color or experience a blistering burn. Unfortunately, there is mounting evidence to indicate the latter type of sun lovers may be playing with fire.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (http://www.skincancer.org/), an adult’s risk of skin cancer doubles if s/he has had five or more sunburns – in a lifetime! For children, the risk doubles with having had just one sunburn. Although the sun’s negative effects are cumulative, there is also the risk of any one-time exposure leading to a form of skin cancer. Some people are more at risk than others depending on skin type, family history, ethnicity and the number and size of moles a person has on their body. Indoor tanning is known to increase skin cancer risk by 74% and major organizations are currently taking notice; WHO (World Health Organization) and the FDA. The government has even implemented new taxes related to indoor UV tanning and is in the process of regulating its use by younger persons. The bottom line and your best defense against skin cancer is don’t burn.
Although the argument for receiving your daily Vitamin D may be your reason for sun basking, only 5-10 minutes of indirect exposure a day is necessary to receive this benefit. In addition, Vitamin D is also readily available in supplement form and in foods such as fish and fresh dairy. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends several things in order to avoid the dreaded sunburn:
- Use SPF 15 or greater every time you go outside and reapply often
- Avoid the sun between 10a.m-4p.m.
- Avoid indoor tanning
- See a dermatologist at least once a year and check your body from head to toe every month for unusual marks or moles
- Don’t forget your head: face, ears, and eyes – use sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats if necessary
- Do not expose infants younger than six months to the sun
- To reverse some of the damage of UV radiation, try laser peels, chemical peels, retinol, facial resurfacing and/or LED devices (light-emitting diodes)
Take care of your skin – it’s the largest organ you have and your first line of defense. If you just can’t bear to wear your own base skin color proudly, rest assured that technology has come a long way in the development of spray and self tanners. They no longer paint you (and your bathroom, and your linens) carrot-orange. The better ones actually simulate a real tan in that your skin will become darker with continued use. By spending a little time applying sunscreen and taking other simple precautions, you can enjoy the summer without increasing your risk for skin cancer. Happy Solstice!
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