Comprehensive Cancer Centers shares insights that you might not know about sunscreen, which can be a very helpful ally in reducing health risks from sun exposure.
The team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers understands living in Southern Nevada means being able to enjoy outdoor activities all year long. While there’s good weather and sun to be mindful of all year long, summer is the time people are increasingly active in the great outdoors. This includes hiking and walking outside, going to a pool or enjoying a back yard BBQ. With all of that additional time outside, it becomes more important to take precautions to protect your skin.
The most common form of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. Awareness and precautions have helped reduce risks for many who call Southern Nevada home. An unfortunate fact is melanoma rates have doubled nationally over the past three decades, with many cases diagnosed locally. While there is a lot you can to do reduce risks, the foundation of being sun smart comes from using sunscreen. As sunscreen sometimes becomes an afterthought, Comprehensive knows the arrival of summer serves as a good opportunity to share some facts about sunscreen that you may not know.
What Makes Sunscreen Work?
First, sunscreen works by providing a physical or chemical barrier between your skin and the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is divided into two types – UVA and UVB – that can cause damage in different ways. And with sunscreens, they come in different types including the following:
Physical Sunscreens: Physical or mineral sunscreens contain active ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These minerals work by reflecting and scattering the UV rays away from the skin. They create a physical barrier that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Physical sunscreens are effective immediately upon application.
Chemical Sunscreens: Chemical sunscreens contain organic compounds like avobenzone, oxybenzone, or octinoxate. These compounds absorb the UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin. Chemical sunscreens primarily protect against UVA or UVB rays, although some newer formulations provide broad-spectrum protection. Chemical sunscreens usually require about 20 minutes to become effective after application.
Both physical and chemical sunscreens offer protection against sunburn and skin damage, but they work differently. Some sunscreens combine both mineral and chemical ingredients to provide broad-spectrum protection.
It’s important to choose a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to ensure adequate protection. SPF indicates how long the sunscreen will protect you from UVB rays compared to not using any sunscreen. For example, SPF 30 means it will take 30 times longer for your skin to burn compared to not wearing any sunscreen. Understanding these timelines is critical in helping you remember to apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin. You should reapply at least every two hours or after swimming/sweating and seek shade during peak sun hours for maximum protection. As with any guideline, if you feel you need more sunscreen or if you feel you need to reapply more often, do it. You can always wash it off later. You cannot wash off a sunburn.
What Does SPF Mean for Sunscreen?
SPF is a numerical rating that indicates the level of protection provided by a sunscreen against UVB radiation, which is primarily responsible for sunburn. SPF does not directly measure the level of protection against UVA radiation, so it’s important to choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Here’s a general guideline for understanding SPF ratings:
- SPF 15 provides moderate protection against UVB rays. It filters out about 93% of UVB radiation.
- SPF 30 provides high protection against UVB rays. It filters out about 97% of UVB radiation.
- SPF 50 provides very high protection against UVB rays. It filters out about 98% of UVB radiation.
- SPF 50+ or higher sunscreen provide the highest level of protection against UVB rays. This sunscreen may filter out 99% of UVB radiation.
It’s important to remember that no sunscreen can offer 100% protection. Regardless of the SPF, it’s essential to apply sunscreen generously, reapply regularly, and take other sun protection measures such as seeking shade and wearing protective clothing and polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes.
How Was Sunscreen Invented?
Now that you know what sunscreen is, and how it works, where does it come from? The development and evolution of sunscreen has a long history. Here’s a brief overview of the key milestones in its development:
Ancient civilizations used various methods to protect their skin from the sun. Ancient Egyptians, for instance, used extracts from rice, jasmine, and lupine plants as sunscreen. Ancient Greeks and Romans used olive oil, while ancient Chinese employed substances like rice bran and tea extracts.
The modern era of sunscreen began in the 1930s with the development of the first commercially available sunscreen. In 1936, a Swiss chemistry student named Franz Greiter developed a product called “Gletscher Crème” (Glacier Cream). It had a sun protection factor of 2 and was primarily designed for mountaineers exposed to high-altitude sun.
Sunscreen formulations started to evolve with the discovery of benzyl salicylate and cinnamates as UV-absorbing compounds during the 40s and 50s. These chemicals were used in early sunscreen products to absorb UV rays and provide some level of protection.
The use of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, both physical UV blockers, became more prevalent in sunscreen formulations in the 60s. These minerals reflected and scattered UV radiation, creating a physical barrier on the skin.
The introduction of sunscreen agents like avobenzone and oxybenzone expanded the range of UV protection and allowed for longer periods of sun exposure without burning became more widespread in the 70s and 80s.
In the 1990s, Scientists discovered the damaging effects of UVA radiation on the skin, leading to the development of UVA-absorbing compounds like avobenzone and Mexoryl SX. This led to the formulation of broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
In recent years, there have been advancements in sunscreen technology, including the development of more photostable UV filters, improved water resistance, and the incorporation of antioxidants and other skin-nourishing ingredients in sunscreen formulations. People have also benefitted from improved aerosol dispensing, making covering the entire body a much faster and efficient process.
Regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and similar organizations worldwide, play an important role in establishing guidelines and testing protocols for sunscreen effectiveness and safety.
It’s worth noting that while sunscreen is essential for sun protection, the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, recommends it should be used in conjunction with other sun safety measures like seeking shade whenever possible, wearing protective clothing and glasses, and avoiding peak sun hours for optimal skin protection.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers (LINK 4) provide a variety of treatment options for patients with skin cancer including world-class clinical research and immunotherapy. To schedule an appointment, please call 702-952-3350.
The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
