While the sun, and the vitamin D our skin generates from it, is essential to our health, too much UV exposure is extremely dangerous – especially if you live in South Africa. Second only to Australia, South Africa has the highest incidence of skin cancer among people with Caucasian skin. And if you live in the Western Cape, where the incidence of melanoma (cancer of melanin-producing cells) is particularly high, you simply cannot take any risks in the sun.

Apart from causing non-reversible skin damage, premature ageing and skin cancer, exposure to sunlight can also harm the cells that form part of the immune system. As such, sun exposure may up your risk of infection and reduce your body’s natural defences against skin cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. In children, sun exposure may interfere with normal development and possibly make vaccinations less effective.

By the age of 19, most of us will have received 50% of our cumulative UV exposure, says Dr Deepak Patel, principal clinical specialist and head of research at Vitality South Africa. If you’re a parent, you need to take special care to protect your children’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Follow these simple steps throughout life to keep both you and your children safe.

1. Use protective sunscreen and lip balm 

Applying sunscreen and protective lip balm should form part of your daily routine, come rain or shine. This means applying sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your hands, neck, face, arms and ears.

CANSA advises using broad-spectrum sunscreen products. These protect against two types of harmful rays: long-wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short-wave ultraviolet B (UVB). Always choose products that range between SPF20 and SPF50+.

“SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e. in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin,” the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains. “As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.”

Be especially vigilant when you’re spending time outdoors. Remember to apply a high-SPF, CANSA-approved sunscreen liberally and to reapply it at least every two hours. Also lather on the sunscreen and protective lip balm if you’ve been in the water, sweating or exercising. Remember that water reflects UV rays, so be extra careful if you’re spending time in or on water.

2. Wear protective clothing 

Long-sleeved shirts and pants made from tightly woven, lightweight fabric provide a basic yet effective way to protect your skin from the sun. Cover up whenever you can and get out of water-soaked clothing as quickly as possible. “Wet clothing is more transparent to UV rays than dry clothing,” says Dr Patel.

Getting children to cooperate when it comes to applying adequate sunscreen can quickly lead to tears, so protective clothing is essential. Clothing made with fabrics that provide an extra layer of UV protection to the wearer’s skin (even when wet) are now widely available. Keep an eye out for UV-protection garments (they’ll be labelled “UPF” for “ultraviolet protection factor”). Look out for CANSA’s swing tags and SunSmart Choice logo.

3. Don’t go outside without UV-protective sunglasses 

Worldwide, up to 15 million people become blind every year as a result of cataracts, says the WHO. Up to 20% of these cases may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure. Fortunately, a good pair of sunglasses can go a long way towards protecting your eyes.

“A quality pair of UV-screening sunglasses, preferably in a wraparound style, should be worn outdoors in daylight hours,” advises Dr Patel, noting that tinted glasses that don’t screen UV light aren’t sun protective. Dr Dennis Robertson of the Mayo Clinic in the US confirms that UV eye protection matters. “Choose sunglasses that block 99–100% of both UVA and UVB rays,” he advises. “Skip sunglasses that neglect to offer details about their UV protection.”

4. Cover up with hats, umbrellas, canopies and shade 

A wide-brimmed hat that covers your eyes, ears and neck, an umbrella or canopy, and shade all add extra protection against the sun. But keep in mind that shade structures (e.g. trees) don’t offer complete sun protection, the WHO warns. For this reason, it’s still important to cover up in other ways: with sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing. Importantly, babies under 12 months should always remain in the shade.

5. Take extra sun-smart steps 

Add these last few steps to your daily routine to stay safe:

• Avoid the sun between 10am and 2pm when the UV rays are most intense.
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• Some drugs can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure. The list includes certain antibiotics, birth-control pills and benzoyl peroxide products (used to treat acne). Read labels carefully and discuss possible sun exposure with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Be aware that cosmetics containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) may also up your chances of sunburn. Again, read labels carefully.
• Keep an eye on the UV index. When radiation levels of 3 and up are predicted, it’s best to stay out of the sun.
• Keep checking your skin throughout the year (examine your entire body regularly) and report any skin changes to your doctor. The longer a skin cancer diagnosis is delayed, the lower the chances of successful treatment.

Is that product safe? 

CANSA has a Seal of recognition displayed on all sunscreens that meet their strict set of criteria. All products bearing this seal comply with the new EU COLIPA Standards – it’s a complicated set of tests and criteria, but the bottom line is this: you can trust the product.

Source:  https://www.discovery.co.za/portal/individual/essential-sun-care-guide