UV Protection and Sunbathing
Chelsea Simon
Psychology
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What is Ultraviolet Radiation?
Ultraviolet radiation, or more simply known as UV radiation, is a certain type of radiation that is given off by the sun and reaches the Earth's surface. Although the ozone layer helps to soak up most of the hazardous rays UV can still be harmful and people should be more aware of the dangers. Ultraviolet rays are invisible so one must be careful on cloudy days, or even in the shade. These rays can bounce off of any thing from sand, to water, to snow. There are three different types of UV radiation. UVA rays is the radiation that is in the atmosphere all day every day, not just when the sun is shinning. This kind of radiation causes wrinkles and damages skin. UVA is radiation that has a wavelength between 320 and 400 nanometers that is produced by the sun. The second type of radiation is UVB. UVB is the kind of radiation that we all would most often think of. UVB damages DNA within skin cells. UVB is radiation that has a wavelength between 280 and 320 nanometers produced by the sun. This form of radiation is what burns us and makes us tan. It is also the one that can give us skin cancer. The third kind of ultraviolet radiation is known as UVC. UVC is radiation that has a wavelength between 100-280 nanometers. This radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer and by oxygen, so a relatively small portion of this radiation actually reaches the Earth's surface .
What Sunbathing Does
The sun effects different skin types in several ways. This is due to the melanin that is inside the skin. The melanin is a form of pigment. When this pigment is introduced to UV rays it changes into a brownish color, giving us our tan glow (Postgraduate Medicine). Getting a tan is really the skin protecting itself by producing extra pigments (Federal Trade Commission). If the skin's melanin is exposed to more sunlight then it can handle it burns, and that is why people sunburn. For lighter skinned people the threshold is much lower than it would be for people with darker skin.
How Sunbathing has Changed
In the early part of the 20th century it was considered to be of high class to have skin that was protected from the sun, as opposed to today's idea of beauty which seems to be that tanner skin is more socially desired, at least in the United States. Sun exposed skin use to be for those who did labor in the fields and were immersed in the sun throughout the whole day, while the Aristocrats kept inside. Women actually used make-up to make their skin appear lighter because sun kissed skin meant you were a laborer, and of poorer class. As time passed a tan became desired because it represented wealth. Only the rich could afford to vacation to places with warm climates. After awhile the middle class could afford to take these types of vacations (Clarke). Today tan skin is everywhere, especially in the media. In fact the term Tanorexic has been recently made up to explain societies obsession with the sun and the tanned look. Tanorexia is when someone can not seem to get enough sun, as if they were addicted to it. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Pamela Anderson, among many others, all seem to be tanorexic. Today many people feel that a tan reflects a person of good health and youth. However tan or sunburned skin is essentially skin that is suffering from damage. Sunbathing is becoming more and more dangerous due to the ever growing hole in the Ozone Layer (Blesius).
Role of the Ozone Layer
Almost 90% of the Earth's atmosphere is made up of the stratosphere or better known as the Ozone Layer. The Ozone Layer is made up of molecules that contain three different types of oxygen atoms. The Ozone Layer soaks up most of the sun's rays, but since it is depleting it is not able to absorb as much UV radiation as it once could. This is a concern for not only humans but all organisms. Although it is normal that ozone levels change depending on time of day and place, in the past decade a significant decrease has been found in the Ozone Layer all over the globe. This change has been especially noticeable over the last 50 years. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are found in the troposphere, the layer underneath the stratosphere, and play a major role in the depletion of the Ozone Layer. Wind moves the CFCs up into the stratosphere, where the UV radiation they breaks them down and causes the CFCs to release chlorine atoms that deplete the Ozone Layer. Just one of these chlorine atoms can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules. 16% of chlorine in the troposphere is due to natural sources such as, fires and volcano eruptions, however 84% of these atoms are there because of chemicals that are widely used by humans. These chemicals are things like refrigerants, solvents, and foam blowing agents.
The Ozone depletion is a global problem, however countries such as Asia, Australia, South Africa, Europe, and the Untied States are being affected most. In the U.S. ozone levels have fallen as much as 5-10%, depending on the season. This is a great concern because the less ozone there is, the less protection we get, and the more UVB can reach the Earth's surface, making it more dangerous to be in the sunlight. Since this is a growing problem and the levels of ozone are vastly decreasing, it is only becoming more hazardous to sunbath (Ultraviolet Index).
Damage the Sun Causes
Youth is a time when people should be most careful and aware of the damages the sun can do. Children should be especially protected since the sun can do the most damage within our first 20 years. Also it is during our early years in which we spend a significantly substantial amount of time out in the sun. The sun can cause skin to age quicker than it normally would. It makes the skin rough, and wrinkled (The Sun and Your Skin).
Cancer is an ever growing concern among our culture. Skin cancer is found on more than 90% of sun exposed body skin, which would lead one to believe that the sun plays a major role in what causes skin cancer ( The Sun and Your Skin). There is no doubt that sun damage can lead to skin cancer. Since this type of cancer is slow to emerge it can take up to 20 years to develop. That means the sunburn you receive today, although it may not be noticeable now, could possibly become skin cancer later in life (Introduction to Skin Cancer). The American Cancer Society predicts that that in the next year there will be about 55,1000 new cases of melanoma and that this would lead to 8,000 deaths. Skin cancer is a major problem that is becoming impossible to ignore. It is expected that in the next 10 years skin cancer will be responsible for more deaths than lung cancer.
Three Types of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinomas: The most well-known form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinomas. Although this is the most frequent type of skin cancer it is not the most dangerous because it is rare if it spreads and it can easily be treated. The face is the most commonly know place where this type of skin cancer is found. This is due to the amount of sun exposure the face receives. Basal cell carcinoma starts out looking like a small bump covered by small blood vessels. These blood vessels are called telangiectases. It is said that these pumps can have a "pearly" look to them. Sometimes it is hard to even see these bumps at first because they are flesh-colored and can resemble a mole, which is why you are to get suspicious looking moles checked out by your doctor. Basal cell carcinomas grows slowly, and it can take months for these bumps to become noticeable. Since this form of cancer is found on the face it can cause major damage to the eyes, ears and nose. The best way for this to be treated is to have the bumps removed. The method of removal is known as shave biopsy. How deep the doctor must scrap and how big the scar is depends on how sever the case is (Rockoff).
Squamous Cell Carcinomas: The second most known form of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinomas. This is a little more dangerous. Even though they typically do not spread they can occasionally. This type of cancer begins in squamous cells. These are flats cells that, when looked at under a microscope, appear similar to fish scales. These cells can be found in tissues at the surface of the skin, the lining of certain organs and passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Typically men and people with lighter skin are more likely to get this form of cancer than women and people with a darker complexion. The most known cause of squamous cancer is sun exposure. The sun allows actinic or solar keratoses, to develop. Actinic and solar keratoses is another name for precancerous spots. Common places for these spots to occur is the forehead, checks, and the back of the hand. The form of treatment is similar to how they cure basal cell carcinomas. Punch biopsy is what doctors call removing this cancer because typically a biopsy is performed (Rockoff).
Malignant Melanomas: The third type of cancer is the most dangerous, although not at common. Malignant melanomas is the skin cancer that can lead to death, especially when not treated. The cancer starts in certain cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin color. The melanocytes will produce more pigment when it is exposed to light. This is what causes us to tan or burn. This type of cancer comes about when the melanocytes become malignant, or cancerous. These cells can then go into and destroy other tissues.
This disease is also called cutaneous melanoma. Because this form of cancer can easily and rapidly spread, doctors have given us the ABCDs to help tell us what to look for in moles, so that we can detect this disease faster.
A stands for
Asymmetry: This is when the mole is not perfectly round
B stands form
Boarder: This is when the edges of the mole are not smooth but rather jagged
C stands for Color:
Any coloring that is uneven should be looked at
D stands for Diameter: The mole changes in size
Any of these ABCDs should be looked at by a professional as soon as abnormalities are found. Also any changes in a mole or in the skin in general should be checked out immediately. The only way to diagnose this cancer is for the doctor to perform a biopsy. Then if cancer is found they must remove any suspicious looking part (Rockoff).
The Sun's Strength
The sun is the
strongest
between the hours of 10am and 2pm. At these times is when the UV rays is
most damaging (Postgraduate
Medicine).
The summer is the season when the sun can be the most harmful, also at higher altitudes where the sun is experienced more close and uninterrupted. Another aspect that will increase the damage the sun can cause is proximity to the equator. "For example, Florida receives 150% more UV than Maine" (The Sun and Your Skin).
Protection
Sun Protection Factor, better known as SPF, is the most popular form of sun protection. The number a sunscreen is given refers to how much SPF is in the product. Of course, the higher the number the more protection is offered. Most dermatologists suggest a sunscreen or sun block with an SPF of at least 15. There are many different types of skin, and this requires a personal decision on which to use. Although sunscreen is just a measure that can help prevent sunburn, and does not promise to completely protect us. It should still be worn anytime one is outdoors, even on cloudy days. Sunscreens work by 'absorbing, reflecting, or scattering' the sun's rays on the skin. Sunscreens should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outside, and should be reapplied frequently, no less than once every two hours (The Sun and Your Skin).
The clothing we wear can also help prevent the sun from doing too much damage to us. Recently there has been a strong following of clothing that is specially made to protect our skin from the sun. This clothing is tightly-woven and weighs significantly less then other clothing. The clothing has tighter weave so there are smaller holes, therefore there is less space for the UV radiation to reach the skin. The clothing should be darker in color as well. By wearing a hat, with at least a 3 inch wide brim all the way around, our face, neck, and eyes will be shaded and therefore protected from the UV rays.
The sun can hurt our eyes, as well as our skin, so it would be smart to always wear sunglasses with a 99-100% UV protection so that our eyes will be hidden from the sun. Many sunglasses will say they protect your eyes against UV radiation but it is important to look for sunglasses that have distinguished that there is at least a 99-100% UV protection. Doctors say that bright sun light can cause cataracts and other serious eye injuries. If the eyes is exposed to sun long enough the cornea can burn. Although the cornea can regenerate in 7 days the sun has the ability to permanently cloud vision and even possibly lose vision entirely (.
Alternatives to Sunbathing
Tanning Beds:
It use to be said that tanning beds were better for you than sunbathing, but that does not mean that they are completely safe. In fact, they are not really safe at all. New Hampshire tried to get a law passed that made it illegal to use a tanning bed if you were under the age of 18. However the bill was not passed. Skin Cancer will affect 7,000 people per year, and 1,700 of these case are fatal. From 1,700 100 deaths are because of tanning beds. Although tanning beds bulbs do not give off UVB radiation they do give off UVA rays. These UVA rays do not burn the skin as much as actual sunlight, and this is less likely to cause cancer than UVB radiation, but UVA can lead to aging, wrinkles, and if exposed to it long enough, eventually skin cancer (Blesius).
Spray on Tan:
Spray on tans are a much safer way to get a tan then sunbathing or a tanning bed. It works almost like airbrushing. Dermatologists says it is as safe as applying make-up. The most popular way to go about doing this is to go to a salon and have a professional do it for you. It takes about 10 minutes and there are no streaks. Although this spray on tan is definitely much safer than any other form of tanning out there right now, it is expensive and it does not last very long. Constance Nagi, who is the main dermatologist at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine says, "For those who think they look or feel better with tan skin, the spray on tan is very safe although temporary." A single session cost about $25 and anyone with diabetics, respiratory problems, or women who are pregnant should talk to a doctor first. As of now, no major problems have been discovered from the spray on tan, but doctors are cautious of patients with asthma and recommend that if there is any coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing is experienced afterward they should consult a doctor. This phenomenon is bigger than ever. Some think it might become so popular that these spray on tanning salons may be everywhere. They may even become so common that they will be in places such as hotels. You can also do this procedure yourself by purchasing a lotion. This helps cut down on the cost, but the tan still does not last long (Puente).
Can Sunbathing Be Benifical?
There have been many studies done on sun not being harmful, but actually benifical. Some doctors, such as Dr. Lieberman, recommend that humans need at least an hour per day outside in the sunlight without any protection. He reminds us that all living organisms thrive off of the sun, and that the sun is an essential nutrient for everyone. He even suggests that sunlight can help to cure injuries. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) discovered that people who worked mainly in the sunlight and who lived in the sunniest parts of the county were significantly less likely to have breast and colon cancer. There are two main reasons for these findings. One is that people who spend a substantial amount of time in the sun develop skin that is more protective and that blocks more ultraviolet radiation. Secondly the sun helps the skin to produce a lot more vitamin D, and essential vitamin for life (Robinson). Dr. Bernarr, another doctor, says that it is coincidence that those who happen to get skin cancer and wrinkles are also spend a lot of time in the sun, but it might have to do with poor habits. He suggests that sunlight does not cause cancer, and in fact it heals cancer. Sunlight can increase oxygen tissues and help to build up the immune system. Both doctors agree that it is not the sunlight that does the damage but rather the sun burning that is so harmful. Smoking tobacco and marijuana and then being exposed to sunlight can be a cause for skin cancer because these products have toxins in them that bring up skin cells that transform in the presence of sunlight, causing skin cancer. The same goes for drinking coffee and tea and exposure to sunlight because these contain caffeine and tannic acid.
There are many diseases that they say sunlight can actually help cure, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Hodgkin's Disease, and Kidney Diseases. It also may help treat some other problems, like Mumps, Sinuses, and Leukemia. Sunbathing is also said to help strengthen muscles and help with depression (Bernarr). Some physicians even believe that sunscreen is a toxic chemical it is the last thing you want to use to help with protection. Dr. Mercola says that sunscreen does not even work. Although it can sometimes prevent basal and squamous forms of cancer it does not protect against melanoma, and this is the type of cancer that we are to be most concerned about. Genetics are more to blame in our chances of getting cancer. Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), even say that sunscreens can increase the risk of getting skin cancer because it gives people the false sense of security. Then people stay out in the sun longer since they feel they are completely protected. Sunscreen helps to prevent UVB rays, but not UVA radiation. They suggest that you do not prolong your sunbathing time (Bernarr).
Bibliography
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Blesius, C.R. (2004). The Blesius blog: Tanorexic generation. Retrieved October 1, 2004 from http://blesius.org/blog/one-entry?entry_id=3714
Clarke, D. (2004). Sunbathing since the turn of the last century: How social norms influence behaviors. Retrieved September 9, 2004, from http://www.sunbathingnorm.html
Federal Trade Commission. (2001). Sunscreens and sun-protective clothing. Retrieved September 7, 2004 from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/sun.htm
Postgraduate Medicine. (2004). Sunburn. Retrieved September 10, 2004, from http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/05_04/pn_sunburn.htm
Puente, M. (2003). Spray-on tan touted as safer way to add a little sunshine. Retrieved October 1, 2004 from http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-07-14-spray-tan_x.htm
Robinson, L. S. (2004). The sun: A source of health and vitality. Retrieved September 7, 2004, from http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/sunbath.htm
Rockoff, A. (2004). Skin cancer: Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Retrieved October 1, 2004 from http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_cancer/page1.htm
So You Wanna. (2000). So you wanna get a relatively safe tan? Retrieved September 7, 2004, from http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/safetan/safetan.html
Suppes, L.(2000). Protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Retrieved September 16, 2004 from http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=3809&sidebar=449&category=outdoors
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