Category — Skin Damage

According to the Centers of Disease control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, can be treated and the success rate for recovery is very high. The third most common form of the disease, melanoma, is the most dangerous, especially among young people. They estimate that between 65-90% of melanomas are attributed to exposure to UV light. The CDC also reports that in 2005 8345 people died of melanoma.

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of skin cancer. Some of these are a family history of the disease, a light natural skin color, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes and a history of sunburns at an early age.

Ultraviolet light (UV) is an invisible form of light and can come from several sources. The most common being the sun but also from tanning beds and sunlamps.

With the summer months upon us and more people outside in the sun we must think of how to protect against skin cancer. Due to recent studies there is good news that there is a natural way to help in this effort. Lutein has been found to help us do this from the inside.

For some time now lutein has been known for its ability to protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but there is new evidenence that it can also help protect one from the dangerous effects of UVB light and skin cancer.

Lutein can be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale as well as in egg yolks. It is a potent antioxidant that may help protect our skin from the harmful effects of sun damage.

Dr Salvador Gonsalez of Harvard University led a study in this area. He is quoted as saying “Lutein has been widely recognized for its eye health benefits for several years. But, our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer. Dr Gonsalez goes on to say “In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health”.

Lutein is present in the eyes and skin of the human body.
Also it is found in the cervix and breasts of women. It acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting us from the effects of aging. It also has the effect of filtering light which helps protect us from the damaging effects of the sun. The body can not produce lutein and it must be obtained thru nutrition or supplementation.

There are two types of harmful rays found in sunlight, these are UVA and UVB. The first, UVA rays are responsible for contributing to the wrinkling of skin and the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that are primarily responsible for sunburn and skin cancer.

A good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) can be effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays, but there are some other things you must be aware of to protect yourself and your family.

- When in the sun wear wrap around UL-blocking sunglasses.
The reason for this is that over time exposure to UV light can cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which is an irreversible form of blindness.

- For parents, always protect your children’s skin. Studies have shown that even one severe sunburn can double the chance of skin cancer later in life.

- When applying sunscreen always check the expiration date.
Most have a shelf life of three years or less.

- Consumption of 6 mg. of lutein a day, either from diet or nutritional supplementation is recommended.

-Wear protective clothing to protect exposed skin and a wide brim hat to protect head, eyes, ears and neck.

- Seek shade during the hottest part of the day when UV light is most intensive.

In conclusion, while sunlight can be damaging there are also benefits to sunlight. This is where we also receive some of the vitamins our bodies require. Exposure to the sun should be done in moderation and by taking some of the steps that I described above to minimize the negative effects can also be a lot of fun. Enjoy your summer.

The skin condition known as sunburn is associated with microscopic changes to your skin. This is caused when you have experienced excessive exposure to the sun’s rays and, more specifically, the ultraviolet UV radiation that is emitted from the sun. The sun, however, isn’t the only producer of UV rays; you could also suffer sunburn from exposure to other UV light sources including solaria or tanning salons.

During the summer months, it’s hard to avoid sun exposure; let’s face it, we can’t exactly hide from the sun and with so many factors that could increase your chance of sunburn there has never been more of a need for you to take precautions when out in the sun. So what are these other factors that could increase your chance of sunburn? If you live in regions that are closer to the equator you are at more of a risk just like you are if you are situated in areas that are at high altitudes. The reason for this is UV radiation increases 4% for every 300m increase in elevation. Another aspect that could increase your chance of sunburn is, when you are exposed to the sun at certain times of the day; 65% of UV radiation reaches the earth between the hours of 10am and 2pm so you are at an increased risk during this time. You should also be aware that UV radiation can be reflected by snow and ice, in fact as much as 80% can be.

When you look at factors such as the above you start to get an idea of just how much you are exposed to UV rays, even when the sky is cloudy. With this knowledge in mind, you should do all you can to protect yourself from the harmful rays emitted by the sun, especially as someone who has light skin only needs to spend 15 minutes in midday sun to suffer the effects of sunburn. However, signs and symptoms of sunburn usually only occur after 2-6 hours of exposure.

UV rays cause changes to the surface and deeper layers of the skin. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, as well as the formation of age spots but the effects don’t stop here.
These rays can go deeper into the skin and change the structure of cells as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

Some of the most common sites when it comes to damage to your skin are the neck, ears, temples, lips, face, and nose. One way in which you can reduce the damage done to these areas is through wearing a hat. However, when you are choosing your hat make sure it shades the whole face, neck, ears, and head.

On top of wearing a hat, you also need a decent SPF sunscreen. In order to choose the best one, you need to ensure that it is suitable for your skin type. You need to make sure it still moisturizes and hydrates your skin like your moisturizer does but that it is strong enough to protect your skin. So, if you have fair skin you need quite a high SPF, whereas if you have brown skin you will only need a mild SPF sunscreen as you are less prone to burning.

Just make sure that whatever skin type you are you have the right protection and you apply sunscreen throughout the day to minimize your risk of sun damaged skin.