Most individuals know that the rays from
the sun can damage skin and cause sunburns and potentially cause skin cancer. However,
researchers are still working to gain a better understanding of the effects of
both UVA and UVB rays (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2014). UV stands for ultraviolet
light and UVA and UVB are categories of ultraviolet light (Skin Cancer
Foundation, 2014). Ultraviolet light is not visible to the naked eye, but rays
of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB, can penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and
cause skin damage (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2014).
UV
radiation causes mutations of your skin’s genetic makeup that can cause both
melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanomas which are
various forms of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma (Skin Cancer
Foundation, 2014). UVA rays account for about 95% of UV radiation and penetrate
the skin deeper than UVB rays that can cause skin cancer as well as skin
wrinkling (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2014). UVB rays cause more superficial
damage to the skin and are mainly responsible for sun burning (Skin Cancer
Foundation, 2014). 
In
order to prevent damage from UV radiation, it is important to adopt
preventative behaviors all year round, not just in the summer (Centers for
Disease Control [CDC], 2014). Most people don’t bother wearing sunscreen in the
winter or if there is cloud coverage or overcast skies, but UV rays can
penetrate the skin in those conditions (CDC, 2014). Roughly between 9am and 4pm
are the times of day where UV exposure is high (CDC, 2014). Wear sunscreen with
at least SPF (Sun Protective Factor) 15 or higher (CDC, 2014). It is also a
good idea to wear lotion or moisturizer with SPF every day to reduce the effects
of continued UV exposure that can cause wrinkling and skin cancers.
Some
people wonder if tanning beds or other forms of indoor tanning are considered
safe or offer less UV exposure than the sun. Indoor tanning devices contain
bulbs that produce UVA and UVB rays at various rates depending on the age and
type of bulb (CDC, 2014). In the interest of preventing skin cancer and other
forms of skin damage it is not advised to use tanning beds or other indoor
tanning devices (CDC, 2014). Indoor and outdoor exposure to UV rays share the
same risks to your skin, one is not safer than the other. Using sunscreen while
outdoors year round and avoiding tanning beds are the best ways to prevent
premature aging and reduce the chances of skin cancer. If you have had sun
exposure in the past, even as a young child, you may want to contact a
dermatologist to determine if there are any concerns regarding the condition of
your skin (CDC, 2014). If you have a family history of skin cancer, are light
skinned, or have a history of burning and regular sun exposure, contacting a
dermatologist can help you determine if you have any negative effects from sun
exposure or may have negative effects in the future (CDC, 2014). For more tips
on how to decrease UV exposure visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm
References
Centers for Disease Control (2014). What
are the risk factors?
Skin Cancer Foundation (2014).
Understanding UVA and UVB. Retrieved from
Kacey Sebeniecher is currently pursuing
a Master’s degree in Health Studies with an emphasis in higher education at
Texas Woman’s University and plans to graduate in the fall of 2014. She
currently serves as a health educator at The University of Texas at Dallas and
received an undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from Oklahoma State
University in 2009. Kacey is focused on educating college students on healthy
lifestyle behaviors and is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of students
both while they pursue their education and after they graduate.
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