Did you know that the WHO (World Health Organization) has reported a marked increase in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers over the past 10 years? According to them, South Africans (of all races) are some of the most at-risk people in the world when it comes to the most common types of skin cancers. We get sun savvy in this article.
Solar Radiation
The sun is the life-giving centre of our solar system. Without it, we would not be able to live. Without the sun, there would be no life on earth. Solar radiation in the form of light and heat takes 8 minutes to reach the surface of the earth. Mostly, this is a wonderful live sustaining thing. But solar radiation, for all the light it brings, also has a dark side. To understand the dangers of solar radiation, it is important to understand what exactly the sun is. Our sun is nothing less than a gigantic, never-ending, and immensely powerful nuclear reactor. In a process called nuclear fusion, the sun converts Hydrogen atoms into Helium, releasing unthinkable levels of energy while doing so. This radiation from a nuclear reaction is what gives us light and warmth. And that is why over-exposure to it can be so devastating to our health.
The Good News
We know this sounds scary and distressing, but luckily for us, extremely clever scientists have come up with a very easy to protect us from overexposure.
Wear Sunscreen
That’s it. Simply using the right amount of sunscreen, with the right SPF (Sun Protection Factor), in the right way, will keep you from burning! Most sunscreens contain zinc or titanium oxides, which refract and scatter the solar radiation before it penetrates our skin, to reach (and damage) our DNA.
Skin Facts
Just because you don’t burn easily, or don’t feel the pain when you do burn, it doesn’t mean that solar radiation hasn’t affected your skin’s DNA negatively. Yes, more melanin does mean you have a somewhat higher protection rate, but it doesn’t mean you can spend hours in the sun with zero protection.
Sun Savvy checklist:
- Doctors suggest that all South Africans use at least an SPF 30 Sunscreen every single day. If you are going to be spending more time outside, the suggestion is to use at least an SPF 50 sunscreen on all exposed skin.
- Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going into the sun. Use enough to cover all exposed skin and rub it in!
- Use a combination of sunscreen and protective clothing like long sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats to add a layer of protection.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, and after sweating and swimming, even if it is water-resistant.
- Stay out of direct sunlight between 11h00 and 15h00 each day.
- Because not all sunscreens are safe for babies and very young children, the best advice is to keep them out of the sun completely.
The Pets
Are you planning on taking your dog with you on holiday this year? Speak to your veterinarian or local pet shop about pet-safe sunscreen. Animals with light-skinned noses and exposed pink tummies need to be protected from the sun when they’re living their best beach lives as well.
