The Dangers of Too Much Sun
by Jean Gifford, R.N.

Having a deep tan has been the goal of many of us over the years, but did you realize that the amount of sun exposure needed to develop a dark tan damages the skin and can lead to skin cancer?

I’ll bet that you have noticed that the makers of products once promoted as tanning aids have changed their marketing tactics to push protection against the sun’s rays. And the good news is that the new products do live up to their claims.

Two specific forms of ultraviolet radiation are responsible for sunburn: UV-B, which is primarily responsible for the sun’s effect on the skin and, UV-A, which also causes sunburn, but to a lesser extent.

When ultraviolet rays from the sun penetrate the skin, the small blood vessels dilate, causing the initial reddening of the skin. Your natural skin type as determined by the amount of melanin or skin pigment, determines your susceptibility to the sun’s rays.

As this ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin surface, cells several layers down increase melanin production. The pigment then migrates to and darkens the upper layers of the skin. This results in a tan. The darker your natural complexion, the more melanin and natural protection you have. However, even the darkest skinned people can burn with sufficient sun exposure.

Sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and physically blocking it from reaching your skin. A sunscreen’s effectiveness depends on the amount of protective chemicals it contains. Products are labeled according to their degree of effectiveness with a "sun protection factor" or SPF. The SPF is simply a multiple of the time it takes the sun to turn the skin red. The higher the SPF number, the greater the protection. Very fair skinned people need the greatest protection whereas very dark skinned folks need the least SPF protection.

Always use a sunscreen if you have sensitive skin, suffer allergic reactions to the sun or are exposed to the sun on a regular basis. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s burning rays can penetrate cloud cover.

Apply your sunscreen about 45 minutes before going out to allow time for the protective chemicals to absorb into the skin. Reapply the sunscreen if you remain outdoors for any length of time and after swimming or drying off with a towel. Use sunscreen under makeup; it is still effective.

And finally, remember that hats and protective clothing are the best protection.

Jean Gifford, R.N., graduated from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She is retired from a long career in public nursing, but remains active in health education and numerous community activities. A cradle Episcopalian, she resides in Richmond, Indiana.