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Our skin has a number of important jobs to perform. It helps us avoid infection by keeping harmful germs on the outside of the body. It helps regulate the temperature of our body and synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight, which helps to keep our bones strong. It pays to protect our skin, so it can do a good job protecting us. Here are some suggestions for doing so.
Get in the habit of sunscreen
Sunlight, with its harmful ultraviolet A and B rays, can inflict a lot of damage to exposed skin. Not only does overexposure to UVA and UVB increase the risk of skin cancer; it can also cause the breakdown of elastin and collagen in the skin, resulting in wrinkles and brown spots. Controlled studies have shown that regular use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 50%, melanoma by 50% and by 24% premature aging.
The best thing you can do to avoid damage from the sun is to wear sunscreen every day, even in cloudy or rainy weather and in winter if you are often outdoors. Apply it on your hands, arms, face and other exposed areas. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and get a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against ultraviolet rays A and B.
Even the best sunscreens are active during only three hours, reapply for lunch and even late in the day in the summer, especially if you are exercising or working outside. If you spend a lot of time driving, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends excellent protection products against UV rays. In addition, UV protective clothing and hats are very useful, especially on the outside for long periods. Look for a UPF rating of at least 30 on clothes.
Try to avoid overexposure to the sun during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's rays are the most damaging.
Check your skin all over your body skin about once a month, looking for something unusual. Familiarize yourself with the different moles and other imperfections of your skin and note if any of them starts to change or if new ones appear. Use a mirror to help you see your entire body. If you notice something suspicious, new or that seems to be changing, consult your dermatologist. And every year or two, ask a dermatologist to check your skin. If you have a family history of skin cancer, if you have used tanning beds, if you have more than 50 moles or if you have ever had skin cancer, ask your doctor or dermatologist how often you should be examined by a professional.
Take care of your skin throughout your life
Adopt a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water daily to keep your skin healthy and supple.
As we move into middle age, our skin naturally begins to change and the effects of the sun begin to appear. Over-the-counter skin products containing glycolic acid and alpha-hydroxy acid help moisturize and rejuvenate the skin. Retinol products help reverse old sun damage and should be applied at night.
In our 60s or 70s, the skin becomes drier and may need a creamy sunscreen or a moisturizer. In years later, the fragility of the skin, in which the skin is easily torn, can also become a problem. Fragility can not be reversed, although glycolic acid moisturizing creams help gently plump the skin to minimize bruising and tearing. Protecting fragile and sun-damaged skin with thicker clothing is also helpful.
The fragility of the skin is largely due to exposure to the sun, so it is particularly important to regularly wear sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as possible.
Your skin is an essential part of your overall health, so do it well.
Deborah Elder is with Charlottesville Dermatology
This column, which promotes community health, is sponsored by the Martha Jefferson Sentara Hospital, the Ten Area Community Services Committee, the Thomas Jefferson Health District and the health system of the University of Virginia.
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