It’s easy to spoil the disease-fighting, mood-boosting benefits of outdoor exercise by falling victim to common misconceptions about sun protection. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, five or more sunburns over the course of a lifetime double your risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Shield yourself from damaging rays during summer by learning the right way to cover up.
Myth: A base tan protects against sunburn.
The truth: Tanning does very little to shield you from sunburn. A suntan generated by ultraviolet light provides a sun protection factor (SPF) of 2 to 3 for people with light to medium skin tones. Imagine buying a bottle of sunscreen labeled SPF 2!
Base tans also don’t protect against sun damage, which happens at the cellular level. Sun exposure causes changes in skin cells’ DNA, and these genetic mutations can turn into cancer over time.
Myth: I don’t need sunscreen in the morning.
The truth: While UVB rays hit the United States between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October, UVA rays are present anytime it’s light outside — even in the early morning and late afternoon, during the winter, and on cloudy days.
Myth: I wear SPF 70. I have nothing to worry about.
The truth: The bump in protection offered by higher SPFs is minimal. For example, SPF 15 sunblock screens 93% of the sun’s UVB rays, while SPF 30 protects against 97% and SPF 50 against 98%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Seeing “broad spectrum” or “multi-spectrum” on a bottle of sunscreen is more important than a high SPF number, says Vilma Cokkinides, a cancer prevention epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society. These words indicate that the product provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which damage the skin in different ways. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburn, and SPF generally refers to the amount of protection that a product offers against this type of radiation. UVA rays, which have longer wavelengths, penetrate the skin more deeply and contribute to wrinkles and skin cancers.
Myth: Water-resistant means waterproof.
The truth: Sunscreen isn’t waterproof. “Water-resistant means a dip in the water won’t wash it off right away,” Cokkinides says. “It’ll stay on your skin longer than regular sunscreen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the whole day.” Each time you take a plunge in the water — and towel off after — water-resistant sunscreen loses its effect. Reapply after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.
Myth: A hat protects my head and face.
The truth: A hat is good for blocking the rays that come from directly overhead, but it doesn’t protect your face from the rays that bounce up from the ground.
In addition to applying sunscreen to your face, don’t forget a pair of shades. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends UV-blocking large-framed sunglasses to protect your eyelids and the delicate skin around your eyes, which are common sites for wrinkles and skin cancers. Shielding your peepers from the sun can also fend off cataracts later in life.
Myth: Light-colored clothing blocks sun best.
The truth: Dark colors absorb heat and make you feel hotter, but they offer more protection from damaging rays. Loose-fitting clothing in shades like deep blue and black, and bright colors, like orange and red, offer more protection than white or pastel clothing.
Fabric matters, too. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through it.
When buying summer workout clothes, look for items with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 50 of higher. A shirt labeled UPF 50, for example, means that only 1/50th of the sun’s UV light can reach the skin. “You can wash protection into your regular clothes using a product like SunGuard,” says Dr. Maral Skelsey, director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center in Washington, D.C.
Myth: My race shields me from skin cancer.
The truth: Nobody’s immune to sun damage. “Even if you don’t burn easily, you’re still receiving radiation,” Cokkinides says. “Know and understand your skin type and choose the appropriate protection for it.” If you’re confused, ask your doctor.
Myth: I need direct sunlight for vitamin D.
The truth: “Sun is neither a safe nor an efficient way to boost vitamin D,” Skelsey says. “Most people who live in North America cannot get enough vitamin D with sun exposure alone. It’s much safer, efficient, and predictable to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D through diet and vitamin supplements.”
No comments:
Post a Comment