The Sun and your Skin
Is the sun really that bad for me?
Consider these facts:
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
It can affect anyone, regardless of skin color
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70
People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75%
More people develop skin cancer from indoor tanning than develop lung cancer from smoking
Your risk for developing melanoma doubles if you have had 5 or more sunburns
Every hour, 1 person dies from melanoma
How to fight the stats
UV exposure is the most preventable risk factor
Regular use of SPF 30+ sunscreen reduces your risk of melanoma by 50%
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing
Regularly check your moles for growth and irregularities
Comparing the 2 types of sunscreen
Mineral vs. Chemical
| Mineral | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Mineral sunscreens work by reflecting the full spectrum of UV rays | Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing a small range of UV rays |
| Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide Titanium Dioxide |
Active ingredients: Oxybenzone Octinoxate Homosalate Avobenzone |
| Works immediately | Must apply 30 minutes before sun exposure |
| Stable. Can withstand heat. Lasts far longer. | Often highly reactive and unstable. Breaks down in heat. |
| The only 2 filters considered safe and effective | Many are highly toxic and bleach coral. Do not use on children 6 years and younger. Do not use in ocean. Currently under review by the FDA. Lack of safety evidence. |
Know your sunscreens
Mineral filter sunscreens are safe and do not harm the skin or seas. Many chemical filter sunscreens have toxic effects on your skin and the environment.
Ingredients matter!
These are the 3 you should avoid:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Homosalate
One of more of these chemical filters is in 80% of broad spectrum sunscreens. These chemicals are highly toxic and their negative effects are exacerbated in sunlight. They are absorbed by the skin causing hormone disruptions in humans and in wildlife.
Oxybezone and Octinoxate have been proven to bleach and kill coral. These chemicals have been banned in Hawaii setting the gold standard for ocean conservation.
1 drop of oxybenzone is enough to kill the coral in 6.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
More than 16,000 TONS of sunscreen enters the waters around our reefs each year. We need to know what is going on our skin and in our oceans. Visit savethecorals.club for more information.
Skin care tips in the sun
Unprotected sun exposure plays a large role in skin aging, wrinkles, and increases your risk of skin cancer—the most common form of cancer.
Wide-brimmed hats
Protection from the top down.
An important tool for protecting your eyes, nose, and lips.
Every inch of brim can reduce your risk of skin cancer by 10%.
Apply sunscreen even on cloudy days
Wearing an all mineral sunscreen decreases your risk of skin cancer and protects against signs of aging.
For best results, look for an all mineral, water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen.
Wear a UPF shirt
UPF clothing is the best way to protect your skin from sun exposure.
The tighter the weave and darker the color, the better protection it offers.
Antioxidant Superpower
The secret to the antiaging revolution
Antioxidants stop the formation of free radicals, which are molecules with an unpaired electron, created from stressors such as UV exposure. Free radicals attack healthy molecules trying to steal an electron in reactions causing cell damage and cell death. Antioxidants used in proper ratios donate an electron to terminate these chain reactions.
Prevention and Detection
The ABCDE’s of Melanoma
| Check your spots for... | |
|---|---|
| Asymetry | If you were to fold it in half, the two sides wouldn't line up. |
| Border | An irregular, uneven, or poorly defined border. |
| Color | Color varies from one area to another, including shades of tan, brown, black, and even red, white, and blue. |
| Diameter | Usually larger than 6 millimeters when diagnosed (the size of a pencil eraser), but they can be smaller. |
| Evolving | A mole that is changing in size, shape, or color, or looks different from the rest. |
If you observe any kind of change on a mole, see your dermatologist.