7 Eye-Opening Realities About the Sun and Skin Cancer

Spring is officially here, and we all look forward to being outside on the beautiful, sunny days ahead. Finally we can experience the pleasure of getting out of the house to participate in our favorite springtime activities. To take full advantage of the wonderful weather, however, we need to remember to practice preventative skincare. While we all welcome the sun, it is both friend and foe, and we need to be safe In order to make sure we get many more years of reveling outside. It is much easier and more important to take the steps now to protect ourselves and our families from the risks of the sun. Did you know:

1. Each year there are more than 2 million new cases of skin cancer. That’s more than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined.

• 1 in 5 will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
• Between 40-50% of Americans who live to age 65 will have either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma at least once.

When focusing on our health, it is often easy to forget about our skin. Other cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, are often represented in the media, and while skin cancer might not be as frequently mentioned, it can be just as dangerous. Skin cancer can be caused by genetic factors in addition  to excessive exposure to the sun. While skin cancer is a serious concern, a few easy, preventative steps every day can really make a difference in skin health.

2. Sun exposure causes most of the skin damage misinterpreted as signs of aging.

It is often assumed that wrinkles are only a sign of aging.  However, other factors, such as genetics and harmful sun exposure also cause serious wrinkles. Meet Bill McElliott, a delivery driver for over two decades. Below you can see the damage from twenty-eight years of the sun shining through his driver-side window.

3. Daily use of sunscreen can reduce the aging process by 24 percent.

Applying sunscreen as part of a daily routine is easy, affordable, and extremely beneficial for reducing the process of aging. We are lucky to live in a time where there are a variety of sunscreens for different skin types and aesthetic preferences. For sensitive skin and golfers we recommend TIZO. This amazing sunscreen doesn’t burn when applied and there’s no greasy residue left on your hands. Try the Summit brand light-weight sunscreen for everyday application under makeup, and Elta MD if you are prone to breakouts. If you are interested in learning about what type of sunscreen is right for you, feel free to schedule a visit with our esthetician in the Wilmington, Supply, or our new Hampstead office. Your cosmetic consultation is free.

4. It is scientifically proven that wrinkles are caused by UV radiation from the sun!

Sun exposure creates chronic inflammation that weakens the immune system’s ability to repair skin cells and enhances the breakdown of collagen which leads to wrinkles.

UV (ultraviolet) radiation comes in two harmful forms: UVA & UVB.

• UVA: Associated with skin aging. Effects elastin. Leads to wrinkles and sun induces skin aging, skin cancer.
• UVB: Associated with sun burn. Has strong links to malignant melanoma and basil cell carcinoma risk.

When you’re exposed to sun, these microscopic high-energy rays of light slice through your DNA. This happens an untold number of times over your lifetime. Your body is really good about taking the DNA that has been sliced up by the UV rays and healing them. But, sometimes it makes a mistake. When it makes a mistake, one of two things happens:

1. Nothing:  This is what happens most of the time when the DNA is repaired by the immune system.
2. Cancer forms: Sometimes the DNA gets sliced up and put back together in a way that the code does run. And what it tells it to grow uncontrollably. In this case, it’s vital to get into the care of a doctor who can diagnose and treat the cancer.

5. You cannot feel UV damage your skin, and the sun’s rays are everywhere.

In true horror movie monster fashion, going inside won’t save you. UVA rays can pass through glass, making sun protection necessary inside, as well as outside. You also need sunscreen on a cloudy day. Eighty percent of the sun’s rays can pass through clouds and fog.

6. Guarding against UV exposure is the only way to prevent skin cancer.

This can be difficult because the sun is not going away soon – we hope. The majority of sun damage is accumulated before the age of twenty. With the exception of sun burn (or blistering in the case of a third degree burn), the effects of sun damage take awhile to manifest.

All factors that play a role in skin damage:

• Sun exposure
• Skin type
• Presence of disease
• Genetic disorders
• Location
• Medication

So what’s a contentious person to do? Nearly 10,000 people in the US will end up dying of skin cancer in 2017. Preventative sun protection is the only way to stall aging, defend yourself against skin damage, and live to a healthy age with beautiful skin.

7. Taking preventative measures is as easy as one phone call.

Start with the basics. Tell your dermatologist you are looking for a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s a minimum of SPF 15. If you’re like the 99% of us that apply sunscreen wrong, you might want to read our next article on how to step up your sunscreen application game.

At Summit Plastic Surgery & Dermatology we specialize in skin care: from esthetic dermatology procedures to Mohs surgery (skin cancer surgery), we are Wilmington, NC’s skincare experts.

Call us at (910) 794-5355 to schedule your skin check up appointment today!