All About SunscreenAs summertime approaches you begin to hear a lot about sunscreen. African Americans have a sort of natural protection from the harmful effects of the sun. The darker you are the more protection you have. But, if you have lighter skin, sunscreen is something you may have to concern yourself with.
What causes the problems is the UV rays that comes from the sun. There are two kinds of sunscreens out there. There are physical sunscreens that block UV rays because they are dense and/or reflect rays. Chemical sunscreens block UV rays by absorbing UV energy sparing your DNA.*
They are different levels of UV rays. These rays can be broken down into three types:
UVC waves: these are measured between 290 and 200 namometer which can cause the most damage but are absorbed by atmospheric gases before they reached the earth's surface.
UVB waves: these are measured between 320 and 290 nanometers, which burn the uppermost layer of the skin which causes sunburn.
UVA waves: these are measured between 400 and 320 nanometers which penetrates the skin further and can destroy the collagen matrix.
Since the sun will be shining its rays on our skin pretty soon it is important to know what sunscreen is. The most important aspect of sunscreen is SPF, which means sun protection factor. The level you should use depends on how fast you burn. An article in the June 2001 issue of Harvard Health Letter shows an example of how it works. "If skin reddens in 10 minutes without sunscreen, it will redden in 150 minutes when protected by an SPF-15 sunscreen and in 300 minutes with an SPF-30 sunscreen." **
So to end this article on a happy note, go out and enjoy the summer, run frolic and cavort, just be aware of the damage that the sun can do. It just takes a little common sense.
Organizations that will give you information about sun care:
The American Sun Protection Association, 1670 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80214. Phone (303) 239-3555 Fax (303) 239-3521
Environmental Health Center, 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20036. Phone (202) 293-2270 Fax (202) 293-0032
Sources:
* http://www.sfsu.edu/~shs/skinclinic/sunscreen.htm
** "What to look for in a sunscreen" Harvard Health Letter June 2001
Karyn Siegel-Maier, "Made in the Shade & Better Nutrition" June 2001
"Sunscreen" SFSU Student Health Services 2002 April 21
