Why did I get skin cancer, and what can I do prevent my family from getting it? A common question of people who are diagnosed with skin cancer.

Lets talk about first the dark side of the sun for us to know how to prevent skin ageing and skin cancer.

The sun can accelerate skin ageing and also can increase your risk of skin cancer. Lets dive deeper.

Solar Radiation

The Sun light travels at a speed of 299,792 kilometers per second; 186,287 miles per second. It takes 499.0 seconds for light to travel from the Sun to reach the Earth. When sunlight reaches the earth’s surface, it is made up of three main types of radiation.

1. Infrared radiation

This radiation gives sunlight its warmth.

2. Visible light

Helps us to see

3. UV light

The major culprit for damaging our skin. It is a type of radiation that we can't feel or see.

There are 2 types of UV that can damage our skin in a slightly different ways.

UVB

The most damaging form of UV radiation. This type of UV causes sunburns and can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Epidermis, the upper layer of skin, is penetrated by the UVB unlike visible light where it is reflected. UVB reacts with the DNA cells that causes DNA damage. Skin cells have the ability to repair itself, but if lots of DNA damage accumulates, skin cancer my form.

Melanocytes, cells in the epidermis, releases a dark skin pigment called melanin when skin cells are damaged by UVB. This melanin absorb UV light, you can say that this is like UV shield. But melanin isn't able to completely stop skin damage from UVB.

A sign that skin damage has already occurred is the tanning of the skin, and the body is preparing itself for further UV exposure.

UVB causes so much damage in a sunburn. This damage causes the skin cells to die and the upper layer of the skin peels off. This death of cells can also make the skin red, hot and painful to touch.

UVA

This type of UV can also increase the risk of skin cancer but ot is mostly involved in accelerating skin ageing.

The dermis, deep layer of the skin, can be infiltrated by the UVA. The dermis has a scaffolding of molecules such as collagen that makes your skin elastic. This makes you skin spring back when you pull it off.

UVA damages this collagen scaffolding. This makes your skin more prone to wrinkling and sagging.

The Good News

Moderate amounts of sunlight is helpful to us in making Vitamin D. Also, UV light that is prescribed by doctor can be helpful for immune based skin condition like psoriasis.

A healthy doses of sunlight can be good for us, but how do we protect ourselves for the excess UV that causes damaging effect? Simple solution is Sunscreen.

The 4 steps to choose Sunscreen for you

1. Spectrum of Activity

Check what kind of UV the sunscreen protexts you from. Sunscreen that protects you from UVB and UVA is a good choice, this are called broad spectrum sunscreen.

2. Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Look for the SPF rating of the sunscreen. This is designed to measure UVB protection. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB radiation, SPF 30 blocks 97% and SPF 50 blocks 98% (EPA and Sunsmart). There isn’t much difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50. So any sunscreen that is both broad spectrum and above SPF 30 is a great choice.

3. Sunscreen Ingredients

Sunscreens uses different ingredients to block UV light. This is split into two: physical and chemical. Choose sunscreens which are fda approved.

4. Formulation

Roll ons and lotionz tend to provide best sun protection because it is easier to get an even coating on the skin.