The 2012 edition of The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal features medically reviewed, reader-friendly articles such as tanning, the increasing incidence of skin cancer diagnoses among young women, & the prevalence of melanoma among white males over 50.
Issue link: https://skincancer.epubxp.com/i/319518
24 S K I N C A N C E R F O U N D A T I O N J O U R N A L photoaging is the criss-cross lines on the back of the hands. As in the melanoma trial, half of the subjects were counseled to use a broad spectrum SPF 15+ sunscreen daily, and monitored carefully, while the other half were asked simply to continue using or not using sunscreen as they always had. This "discretionary" group served as the control group, since it was deemed unethical to give them a placebo sunscreen, which would have left them completely vulnerable to sun damage. Both at the start and at the end of the study, we gave the sub- jects scores from 1 for no sun damage on the back of their hands, up to 6 for maximum sun damage. MT: Who were the subjects? Dr. Green: These were the same sub- jects we used in the melanoma study, except we did not include anybody aged 55 or over, since we were focus- ing on premature aging, aging specifcally caused by sun damage, not the normal chronological aging changes that come later. We included 900 young and mid- dle-aged people under age 55, and we found that in both young and middle- aged skin, sunscreen had a demonstrable protective efect. MT: Would you say that the impressive fndings in this and your previous studies point to sunscreen as the most important form of sun protection? Dr.Green: No, it is not the prime sun protection method, but only one of a suite of methods. If you are out- side in the sun, clothing is actually the number one protection strategy. How- ever, most of the year people do not wear gloves on their hands, and it is impractical most of the time to wear clothing on your face and nose. A hat can provide some sun protection for the face, but it won't prevent refected UV (from snow, ice, or water, for ex- ample). Shaded areas similarly provide only partial sun protection unless they ofer deep shade, where no direct or refective solar ultraviolet (UV) light can penetrate. So sunscreen plays an important role. There is a place for all forms of sun protection. MT: Given that this study focused strictly on appearance, why do your fndings represent an impor- tant public health message? Dr.Green: Yes, this was an appear- ance-based outcome, but appearance is extremely infuential on how we be- have. For millennia, aging people have been trying to preserve their looks, and spending billions on anti-aging formu- las and cosmetics to accomplish this. However, the most important cause of skin aging along with chronologi- cal aging is sun damage, so sunscreen has a greater anti-aging efect than any other cream or lotion. Furthermore, photoaging is a major risk factor for skin cancer; wrinkles and crows' feet are evidence of height- ened skin cancer risk. The same damage that causes photoaging leads to skin cancers, and the beneft of reducing photoaging is that it also decreases skin cancers. Or, you could say that prac- ticing skin cancer prevention has the added cosmetic beneft of preserving a Sunscreen has a greateranti-aging effect than any other cream or lotion. Beauty & Anti-Aging Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. Do not burn. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. Cover up with clothing, in- cluding a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/ UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spec- trum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam. Prevention Guidelines