With summertime coming, our thoughts turn to skin protection. However, no matter your age, family history of skin cancer or skin types, it pays to be vigilant and prioritise skin checks and sunscreen protection year-round. Here in New Zealand, melanoma is our deadliest cancer, over 7,000 people are diagnosed each year, reports Melanoma NZ. Not only does this dangerous cancer grow rapidly, it also has the highest resistance to chemotherapy. Understanding the effects of UVB and UVA rays on our skin, prioritising the correct SPF and application of trusted broad-spectrum sunscreens, are key steps to detection and prevention of skin cancers.
Spots can appear on our skin at any age, but new ones typically appear in middle age – and are often consequence of previous sun exposure, and sometimes artificial UV light – like that of tanning beds. Some new spots will also be associated with skin conditions or be a side effect of certain medications. Most are harmless, but certain types are cancerous. In New Zealand we have one of the highest rates of skin cancers in the world and melanoma is our deadliest. Melanoma cancer arises from melanocytes – certain cells that provide pigment. Sun exposure causes these cells to produce pigment to protect the deeper layers of skin – the more sun exposure we have as a child, the greater the risk of developing melanoma – and this particular cancer spreads fast and goes deep.
UVB and UVA rays both effect our skin, not one or the other.
As reported in Skintel’s ‘The Definitive Guide to Sunscreen’, ultraviolet radiation (290-400 nm) is the causative agent for several impacts on skin health including skin cancer and photoaging. The most significant components of UV are:
UV weakens the bonds between cells in the top layer of skin by affecting proteins in cornedesmosomes that help the cells to adhere together. The result – sunburn. SPF, or the sun protection factor compare the minimal erythema – sunburn – dose from solar radiation of sunscreen-protected skin compared to unprotected skin.
“Where MED refers to the minimal erythema dose, basically the smallest amount of ultraviolet to cause your skin to turn red (sunburn),” reports Skintel. “This means that wearing an SPF 50 sunscreen takes fifty times longer to cause sunburn compared to not wearing any at all.”
Regardless of season, what science tells us is that skin protection should be used on the daily, and applied in the right dosage.
As reported by Skin Cancer Foundation in their blog ‘How much Sunscreen Should I Be Using on My Face and Body’, most people don’t apply enough sunscreen. To achieve the SPF reflected on a bottle of sunscreen, you should use approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre of skin. Essentially, applying the equivalent of a shot glass (two tablespoons) of sunscreen to the exposed areas of the face and body.
At Da Vinci Plastic Surgery Clinic, we stock IS Clinical’s sunscreen and lip balm. These unique products not only keep UVA/UVB rays at bay, they are also antioxidant rich and gentle in their approach.
IS Clinical Eclipse 50 – This broad-spectrum sunscreen provides maximum protection against harmful UV rays. Suitable for those with sensitive skin, this sunscreen won’t inflame or irritate. Engaging Extremozyme® skin DNA protectants and powerful antioxidants, to enhance protection against UV-related damage, it works to prevent photoaging and sun damage, with a transparent and non-greasy coverage.
IS Clinical Lip Protect SPF 30 – Specifically formulated for the lips, this broad-spectrum balm delivers antioxidant-rich protection, with active ingredients like Vitamin E and coconut oil, linoleic acid and elderberry extract that work to minimise the effects of photogaing and protect against environmental factors.
