Family & Holistic Health

Here Comes the Sun...
Carol Barnes, MD

We all look forward to the summer. It’s a time of fun, relaxation, the children are out of school, and we can actually spend quality time with our loved ones. It’s warm and we are all able to be outside to enjoy the fresh air and the long, hot summer days. Sunlight has been shown to boost our mental and emotional well-being while supplying 75 % of the vitamin D our bodies require to metabolize calcium. It’s also the season of sunburn with painful reddened skin, sometimes blisters; because we are so excited to be outside that we spend too much time in the rays of the sun.

Dermatologists have strongly warned us that overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays makes us look older before our time and increases the risk of skin cancer. Research at the Anderson Cancer center in Houston Texas has shown that UV radiation not only suppresses the immune response of skin cells, but may also induce a generalized suppression of the body’s immune system. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 1 million new cases of skin cancer this year alone, with 60,000 cases of the deadly Melanoma. Approximately 7,700 people will die from Melanoma this year in the United States. The popular tanning beds are not, as some believe, a safe alternative to obtain a tan. They also emit UV rays. Ten trips to the tanning booth double your risk of developing melanoma.

Most doctors advise using a sunscreen or sun block to protect from skin cancer. The SPF factor of the sunscreen is important to protect you from sunburn and skin damage. The higher the number the longer the protection that you have while in the sun. There is some controversy at this time that sunscreens themselves have, at least in theory, the potential to cause damage to the skin because of some of the ingredients. Over the last decade, there has been a parallel rise in the number of skin cancers and the use of sunscreen. Some researchers believe that the sunscreen use gives a sense of protection from skin cancer and so sun worshippers spend more time in the sun. Other researchers are looking at the sunscreen ingredients as a possible source of cancer causing chemical compounds.

So, how do we protect ourselves and still enjoy the sun? There are natural sun blocking agents, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, which are natural minerals that create a physical barrier on the skin. These sun blocks scatter the UV rays away from the skin, unlike the sunscreens which absorb the UV light. These natural minerals protect against UVA (rays that suppress the immune system and promote melanoma) and UVB (the rays that can cause squamous and basal-cell skin cancers.) These natural sun blocking agents are often combined with botanical sunscreens such as shea butter, wild pansy and green tea. The natural sun blocking agents are hard to find and not usually available in most of the local department stores. You might be able to find a natural sun blocking agent at Henry’s, or Mother’s. I have recently investigated a natural product for my office, which will be available soon to my patients and the general public.

Antioxidants taken orally may provide protection against damaging sun rays, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Being sensible about your sun exposure can minimize the risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Limit your exposure to 15 to 30 minutes a day, and stay out of the sun between the hours of 10:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m., when the sun is the strongest. Wearing hats, long sleeved shirts, long pants after your 15-30 minutes of sun exposure will help to prevent sunburn, sun damaged skin and eventually skin cancer. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It protects your internal organs, helps to get rid of toxins through perspiration, and absorbs needed nutrients for optimal health and well-being. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.

May is skin cancer awareness month. See your doctor if you have any unusual shaped moles, or moles that bleed easily.