Feeling the Burn

Wearing sunscreen has always been synonymous with sun safety and skin cancer protection as it keeps the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays from causing DNA damage. But are they really so effective? Is our skin more susceptible to cancer if we don’t utilise sunscreens everyday?

One of the benefits of having Asian skin, because of the way that it contains more melanin (an effective absorber of light) than Caucasian skin, is that it burns less effortlessly and is accordingly less prone to sun damage and skin cancer. However, it can tan more easily and perhaps get stained. However, since Asian skin is less vulnerable to getting sunburn, we may not understand the long-term risk from being exposed to UV rays. For instance, higher risk of skin tumour.

While it’s demonstrated that sunscreens do shield our skin from sunburn, shouldn’t something be said about the confirmation for sunscreens shielding us from skin cancer? With Malaysians being exposed to the sun daily, does it truly make a difference whether we utilise SPF everyday or not?

Fact: Utilisation of sunscreen is recommended by medical organisations such as the American Cancer Society since sunscreens help in the aversion of squamous cell carcinomas (one similar to the kind of skin cancer that affected Hugh Jackman’s nose).

Fact: The utilisation of broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreens can address melanoma and photodermatitis while a diligent utilisation of sunscreen can likewise moderate the advancement of wrinkles and sagging skin.

Fact: While utilisation of sunscreens may help reduce our exposure to UV light and decrease our risk of melanoma, it comes without guarantee. Besides, if we stay in the sun for quite a while, we are at risk of developing skin cancer regardless of the fact that we have put on sunscreen.

In conclusion: While sunscreens may not prevent skin cancer, if not utilized day by day, our skin is more susceptible to cancer. Therefore, not utilizing sunscreen day by day can bring about skin cancer.

What else can you do to prevent skin cancer?

1. Avoid tanning

Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling

2. Stay in the shade

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade

3. Get Vitamin D safely

Get through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don’t over seek the sun.

4. Stay Away from the water

Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

5. Protective Clothing

Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.

Need More Help?

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