Solar Radiation and its Effects

In Australia there are over 1000 deaths from skin cancer every year. Melanoma continues to increase more rapidly than any other cancer despite increased awareness of the need for sun protection and associated lifestyle changes. People with red hair, freckles and very fair skin are particularly at risk of developing skin cancer with extended exposure to the sun .

Harmful Effects of Exposure to Sunlight

Would you be enticed by an advertisement for a coat that is waterproof, stretchable, washable, never requires ironing, and automatically repairs small cuts, rips and burns?

Sounds too good to be true, but we already have such a coat - our skin! It is guaranteed to last a lifetime - with reasonable care. This coat, whose purpose is mainly protective, is so easily damaged by the sun, and it never forgets a a severe sunburn. A suntan is not a sign of good health, it is a sign that the skin has received enough UV radiation to be damaged.

The acute outcome of excessive sunlight exposure is sunburn. Visible light may trigger recurrences of cold sores in sensitive people. Long term effects include wrinkling, premature aging, freckling, bruising and cataracts. Melanin is the skin's own substance responsible for pigmentation of the skin. Melanin is the most efficient sunscreen known.

The other chronic effect of exposure to sunlight are skin cancers. Most of us have heard of a melanoma. This is the least common but most dangerous skin cancer. It looks like a freckle, mole or spot which appears or changes colour size or shape noticeably over a couple of months. Look for an irregular shape, uneven surface, or a colour change in or around the mole. Most deaths from skin cancer are from a melanoma. However, if treated early, melanomas are cured in over 95% of cases.

The second type of sun cancer is a basal cell carcinoma.
This is the most common type, representing 70 -80% of
all skin cancers in Australia, it is also the least dangerous. These are generally found on the face, neck or upper trunk. They appear as a smooth, shiny pearly lesion. It may show surface blood vessels and sometimes appears as an ulcer or sore which doesn't heal, a scaling patch or a patch of eczema.

The final type of skin cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma. This is less common than the basal cell carcinoma but more dangerous. It appears on the hands, forearms, face, neck and tips of ears. These rarely spread internally but can cause disfigurement if left too long. Usually a reddish lesion with crusting scales, frequently mistaken for psoriasis, eczema or an infection.It is important to examine the skin regularly for any unusual changes or growths. Early medical diagnosis is important since skin cancer is easily treatable in the early stages.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Ideally the best solution is to stay out of the sun. but this may not be a realistic option for many Australians who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. It is however best to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, 10 - 2pm. It is still possible to burn on cloudy days, at high altitudes such as when skiing and when in the after, as the suns rays reflect off the water. The " Slip Slop Slap" campaign has been instrumental in educating the public about how to prevent over exposure to the sun.

SLIP - on a shirt to protect your should, back and chest.

No amount of sunscreen can provide a physical barrier like a shirt when worn both in and out of the water. Ski m suits for both children and adults are now available which are made from a stretch nylon which cover a greater body surface area than traditional bathers.

SLOP - on the sunscreen.

There are many sunscreens now available, many offering a 30+ protection. In 1997 the major change to the standard was the lifting of the maximum SPF that may be claimed on the label of a product from 15+ to 30+. SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a numerical ratio which refers to the time required to produce sunburn with a sunscreen, divided by the time required to produce a sunburn without a sunscreen. It has been claimed that SPF 30+ products are only 3.5% better than an SPF15+ product since SPF30+ absorbs 96.5% of UV radiation whereas SPF15+ absorbs 93%. However, since SPF is a time ratio, the benefits have to do with time. With an SPF 30 sunscreen you would have to stay out in the sun twice as long as you would to get burnt using a SPF 15+ sunscreen.Sunscreens should be applied liberally to clean, dry skin at least half an hour before sun exposure to allow for bonding to the skin. Use a mirror when applying to the face to ensure all areas including neck and tips of ears are coated. Sunscreen should not be totally rubbed in as this may also cause some of the sun screen to be rubbed off. All sunscreen s should be reapplied frequently at least every couple of hours and particularly after swimming, towel drying and sweating, this is despite manufacturers claims of how long their product is water resistant for.Foundations and lipsticks with 15+ sunscreens are now available and are a good choice.

SLAP - on a hat.

This protects the ears and scalp from burning. Make sure that the brim is mot lined with a light colour as this can reflect UV radiation back onto the face.Sunglasses protect the eyes from direct UV damage causing cataracts, pterygiums, as well as preventing the wearer from squinting and thus promoting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Cure

Sunburn should be cooled immediately. Use of cold compresses for 10 minutes at a time help to draw the heat away from the burn and relieve discomfort. Creams should be avoided in the first 24 hours after a burn since they only keep the heat in the skin. Keep aloe vera gel in the fridge and smooth on frequently , not only is it cool but very soothing and moisturising. Local anaesthetic sprays and analgesics can be of benefit, but first consult your pharmacist. Vitamin C and Zinc may be of assistance in aiding skin healing. Your pharmacist will be able to advice you on the correct products and dosage for you.

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