5 Tips To Protect Yourself From The Sun!

Did you know that Seattle ranked 29th out of 32 cities in a 2007 nationwide-poll conducted by The American Academy of Dermatology? Respondents were tested on their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning and sun protection. At the same time, melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer, is one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer in Washington State.

Common arguments that Dermatologists hear from their patients:

“It’s Cloudy Outside”

A full 80% of dangerous Ultraviolet (UV) light passes right through cloud cover; those thick layers of water vapor will not protect you from sun damage. UV rays reach you on cloudy or hazy days as well as bright, sunny days. UV light also reflects off any bright surface such as water, cement, sand, or snow; causing burns from both above and below.

“I Never Burn, I Only Tan”

Any tan is a sign of damage. It means your skin has suffered cancer causing mutations and permanent damage to elastin and collagen. Do you have dark skin to begin with? Even the very darkest skin is equal to only SPF 5—far below the SPF 30 recommended for everyone.

“The Sun Clears Up My Pimples”

Even dermatologists cannot deny the initial magic the sun works on acne. A little color camouflages pimples and the UV rays do have a slight drying effect. But UV rays also stimulate the sebaceous glands, making your skin oilier. The skin thickens to defend itself against the sun, which in turn blocks pores and causes more pimples. It is a vicious circle. Wear sunscreen.

“I Always Sit In The Shade”

Sunlight—specifically UVB rays—reflect off most surfaces and will find you even under your beach umbrella or favorite tree. A better way to judge how much UVB exposure that you are getting is to note how much open sky you can see rather than how much sun is actually hitting you.

“Sure I Burn A Little At First, But Then It Turns Tan”

All it takes is one really bad sunburn to increase your risk of Melanoma (a potentially fatal form of skin cancer). It is also important to know that a very bad sunburn from years ago could come back to haunt you. It is a good idea to have your dermatologist perform a complete checkup annually to keep an eye on any suspicious moles or lesions that might indicate Melanoma.


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