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SUN BURN
A
sunny day makes everyone feel good. In Ireland we see so little of the
sun that we tend to rush out and sunbathe as soon as an opportunity
presents itself. We all know the burning and soreness which can result.
Apart from the immediate discomfort , we now know that too much sun can
have dangerous long term consequences. |
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Why protect skin?
You will reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer. 90% of skin
cancers are caused by ultraviolet radiation and are preventable. The
fair skinned Irish are particularly susceptible to sun damage. Skin
cancer is the commonest form of cancer in Ireland. Although most skin
cancers are curable, a rare form (Malignant Melanoma) can be fatal.
Excessive exposure to the sun will also cause premature aging due to an
increase in the amount of wrinkles in your face.
How to protect your skin
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Tan gradually : It usually takes several days for the pigment
which gives you your tan to develop. Build up the time you spend in
the sun slowly and increase gradually every day. Never stay in the sun
until your skin goes red-the damage has already been done.
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Sunscreen : Use a sun cream or lotion
with the correct Sun Protection Factor (SPF). These preparations
absorb or block out most of the sun's harmful rays. |
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Cover up : Wear loose fitting clothing to protect your shoulders,
arms, and legs when you are walking around in the sun. A wide brimmed
hat will shade your face and help protect your nose, ears and lips.
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Avoid Sun beds : Dermatologists agree
that the use of sun beds for cosmetic
tanning purposes should be actively discouraged, particularly in fair
skinned people. The UV rays emitted cause premature aging and increase
the risk of developing skin cancer. |
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Avoid reflected light : Sun rays can reflect off cement and snow
as well as sand and water. Remember ultraviolet light can burn you in
water or on cooler, cloudy or windy days. |
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Choosing a sun protection product
The ultraviolet rays of the sun which reach earth are divided into UVA
(long) and UVB (short). For many years UVB rays have been known to cause
sunburn and skin cancer. More recently UVA rays have been recognised as
causing premature wrinkling of the skin.
When choosing a sun protection product , it is important to realise that
the sun protection factor (SPF) numbers which appear on sun creams
relate only to UVB protection. As yet there is no standard system for
quantifying the amount of UVA protection a cream offers. The best advice
for now is NEVER allow yourself to burn, use a sun block with reasonable
UVB protection (SPf 10 to 15) and check that the sun block has UVA
blocking components also.
Sun protection factor
When skin is exposed for too long to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV)
rays it burns. Sun protection products absorb the sun's burning rays and
help protect your skin from damage. The sun protection factor tells you
how long you can stay in the sun without burning while wearing the
sunscreen. SPF 5, for example , means that you can stay 5 times longer
in the sun than if you were unprotected. The level of protection you
need depends on how easily your skin burns and how strong the sun is. As
a general rule the higher the SPF number the greater the protection.
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Watch out!
Most skin cancers are completely curable, especially if detected in the
early stages. Some types of skin cancer are associated with continued
exposure to the sun over a long period. People who work outdoors all the
time are more at risk here.
Malignant Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, can be
caused when skin that isn't used to the sun is exposed to frequent bouts
of strong sunlight. It can show itself by the change in the look of a
skin mole. Any new, growing, or changing mole should be shown to your
doctor immediately.
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