Protect your skin this summer
A dermatologist is urging the community to wear sunscreen to avoid skin cancer.
DERMATOLOGIST at Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital, Dr Koraisha Hoosen, is urging residents to protect their skin while they enjoy the hot summer days ahead.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays has many beneficial effects on health, as it provides warmth and light that enhances your feeling of well-being and is essential for vitamin D synthesis. However, the harmful effects of solar radiation are also well documented. Ultraviolet (UVC, UVB, UVA), visible and infrared red light are associated with deleterious effects on the skin. UVB causes sunburn, pigment darkening/tanning and immune-suppression and UVA causes premature aging and skin cancers.
Hoosen said the incidence of skin cancer has increased worldwide. There are three major types of ultraviolet induced skin cancers which arise from the upper epidermal layer of the skin. The most common are squamous and basal cell cancers which rarely spread beyond the skin. Melanoma is less common but is more likely to invade local tissue and spread to distant organs. Actinic keratosis is not a cancer but an altered state of the skin that can sometimes transform into a squamous cell cancer.
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What do skin cancers look like?
*Actinic keratosis – Rough pink-brown flat or raised scaly patch.
*Basal cell cancers – Smooth, pearly or waxy red bump, that may bleed or form a non healing ulcer.
*Squamous cell cancers – Firm, red-brown, raised bump with a thick scale or ulcer.
*Melanoma – Darkly coloured mole with asymmetrical borders and irregular multi-coloured raised or flat areas.
People who are at risk of skin cancer are those exposed to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning beds) over long periods of time, those who had several sunburns as a child or adolescent, those with a fair complexion, defined as fair skin that freckles and burns with blue or green eyes and red or blonde hair, those with other factors including past radiation, a weak immune system, genetic disorders and exposure to arsenic and with a history of moles or melanoma.
“Skin cancer is preventable and if caught early curable. Most cancers are excised surgically. Depending on the stage and type some may require chemotherapy or radiation. Daily use of sunscreen has a protective effect on the development of skin cancers and photo-aging,” she said.
Daily photo-protection strategies include avoiding peak sun hours between 10am and 3pm, seeking shade when outdoors, wearing UV protective clothing, sunglasses and wide brim hats and apply sunscreen to sun exposed areas.
Hoosen said sunscreens are only effective when applied regularly and generously. One palm-full should be used over the entire skin surface.
The revised teaspoon rule is a useful guide (1tsp = 5ml) – 1tsp should be applied to face, head and neck, 1tsp to each upper limb, 2tsp to back, chest and abdomen and 2tsp to each lower limb. Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, after sweating or swimming.
Sunscreens can be altered in extreme temperatures. Avoid storing in cars and in direct sunlight. Store in cool areas and in the shade.
“Although a little sun is good for everyone, minimise exposure to off peak times, choose a good sunscreen and always stay sun safe to keep your skin youthful, wrinkle reduced and skin cancer free,” said Hoosen.
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