Understand risks of sun exposure; take measures to protect skin

        As temperatures rise, so does the amount of time we typically spend outside. It’s important to understand the risks of sun exposure and take preventive measures to prevent sun damage to your skin.
        Brian Snyder, MSN, APRN, CNP, at ProMedica Urgent Care – Perrysburg, shares 10 common myths about sunburn and the facts you need to equip yourself for a safe summer.
        Myth: I can’t get sunburnt from a tanning bed.
        Fact: Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%. Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, and the risk increases with each use.
        Myth: I need a base tan so I don’t get burnt.
        Fact: You can still burn if you have a base tan. “Getting burnt at the beginning of the season will not enable you to tan more,” Snyder said.
        Myth: Suntans aren’t harmful, but sunburns can cause cancer.
        Fact: Evidence suggests that tanning, even if you don’t get burnt, greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. “Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage,” Snyder said. “Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.”
        Myth: I don’t need to re-apply sunscreen.
        Fact: All products should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun, reapplied after 30 minutes and then every two hours after that, even if it’s water-resistant.
        Myth: 30 SPF is twice as protective as 15 SPF
        Fact: Don’t assume a linear increase in protection as the SPF increases. For example, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, whereas doubling to SPF 30 only increases protection by 4%, to 97%.
        Myth: I can’t use sunscreen because I suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.
        Fact: Even if you suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, you shouldn’t stop wearing sunscreen. “The risk of melanoma is far greater than Vitamin D deficiency for those that choose to not wear sunscreen,” Snyder said. “If you have a Vitamin D deficiency, it is best to wear the sunscreen and take a Vitamin D supplement.”
        Myth: I can’t get sunburnt if it’s cool or cloudy outside.
        Fact: Eighty percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds, meaning that you can still get sunburnt if it’s cloudy outside.
        Myth: All clothes are created equal with regards to sun protection.
        Fact: Dark, tight-fitting clothes offer more sun protection than lighter colored, looser fitting garments. “Focus on covering/protecting as much skin as possible with your garments. Any color and fit are better than no coverage at all,” Snyder said.
        Myth: If I wear cosmetics with an SPF rating, I don’t need sunscreen.
        Fact: Most cosmetics offer very little protection against harmful UV rays. “Don’t base any potential of protection off the SPF rating on your cosmetics. It is best to apply a separate sunscreen, and reapply during your time outside,” Snyder said.
        Myth: Glass provides protection from sun’s rays.
        Fact: While some UV rays (such as UVB rays) are sometimes hampered by glass, UVA rays can still penetrate glass. Exposure to either type of UV rays can increase your risk of developing skin cancer, so protection against both UVA and UVB rays is important.
        “Always wear sunscreen, reapply consistently and cover as much of your body in garments as possible to decrease your risk of skin cancer,” Snyder said. “While it may be aesthetically pleasing to some, tanning to any degree is dangerous. It is so much better to manage skin concerns with prevention methods now than to have to face treatment of skin concerns later in life.”
        Sunburn treatment
        If you do experience a sunburn, it will typically resolve on its own. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends treating mild sunburn with cool baths, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams and anti-inflammatory drugs to ease pain and swelling. Topical cooling agents containing menthol and camphor, or compounds containing aloe vera, may also provide relief, although they don’t change the natural course of the sunburn.
        If you experience a severe sunburn, characterized by a large area of red, blistered skin with a headache, fever or chills, seek medical help immediately. Contact your primary care provider or go to an urgent care facility for treatment.