Play It Safe in the Sun
If you are an outdoor athlete, spring weather may mean that it is time to start taking sun protection more seriously. Even though the temperature may be struggling to reach 50°F (10°C), the sun can still wreak havoc on your skin.
Skin Cancer: the Basics
- Fair skin
- Blonde, or red hair
- Blue, gray, or green eyes
- A history of sunburns early in life
- A history of indoor tanning
- Many moles and freckles
- Family or personal history of skin cancer
Sun-savvy Solutions
The sun's rays are at their worst during these hours. Exercise in the early morning or later in the day—a time when it is also cooler. If lunchtime is the only time you can workout, seek out a shady route, wear a wide-brimmed hat, load up on the sunscreen, and keep it brief.
You need one that blocks UVA and UVB rays, with a SPF of 15 or higher.
Baseball hats leave cancer-prone areas such as ears and the back of the neck exposed. A smarter option is a hat with at least a two- to three-inch brim. If you have thinning hair or are bald, a hat is a must.
Look for clothes with tightly woven material. When you apply sunblock, you should still apply it on areas that will be covered by clothing. A typical T-shirt has an SPF rating lower than 15.
Since the majority of skin cancers occur on these areas, consider them top priority.
Skin cancer can also occur on the lips. Look for a waterproof or water-resistant, lip-specific product with a high SPF. Plan on reapplying often as lips are moist and lip balms have a tendency to come off easily.
Choose sunglasses with UV protection. This will also protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
Applying Sunscreen and Keeping It On
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before any sun exposure so that it has time to chemically react with the skin.
Sport formulas are usually water-resistant, easy to apply, will not drip into the eyes, and will not interfere with a grip on a tennis racket or a golf club.
It should take about one ounce, or a shot glass-worth, of sunblock to cover your whole body.
If you are walking or doing a low-intensity activity, reapply sunblock at least every two hours. If you are sweating profusely, or are in the water or a windy area, apply it more frequently.
It Is Not Just the Sun
Sun reflected on snow can produce as much ultraviolet penetration as the sun on sand, especially at higher altitudes. So snowboarders and skiers need adequate protection, regardless of the temperature.
Wind can thin sunblock, so make sure to reapply every two hours or so if you are in a windy environment (think beaches, skiing, and sailing).
Cloudy days are no excuse to skip the sunblock. About 80% of the sun's rays still get through.
The closer you are to the equator, the more harmful the sun's rays are.
UV radiation increases nearly 4% every 1,000 feet above sea level you go.
Sand, concrete, water, and snow are highly reflective surfaces that can expose you to more of the sun's rays.
Burn Tactics
Get out of the sun to stop more burning.
Keep the water lukewarm, not hot. This can soothe the skin
After the bath, gently rub a good moisturizer onto your skin.
Consider using a mild over-the-counter pain reliever if you are feeling pain.
For serious blistering, see your doctor right away.
RESOURCES
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.skincancer.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
BC Cancer Agency http://www.bccancer.bc.ca
Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca
References
Ask the expert: Can darker-skinned people get skin cancer? Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/ask-the-experts/can-darker-skinned-people-get-skin-cancer. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Essential sun safety information for skiers & snowboarders. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/outdoor-activities/essential-sun-safety-information-for-skiers-and-snowboarders. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Facts about sunscreen. American Melanoma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.melanomafoundation.org/prevention/facts.htm. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Five ways to treat a sunburn. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/five-ways-to-treat-a-sunburn. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Frequently asked questions. Prevent Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://preventcancer.org/prevention/preventable-cancers/skin-cancer/faq/. Accessed March 29, 2013.
How long does it take to get a sunburn? Telluride Medical Center website. Available at: http://tellmed.org/patient-information/local-health-concerns-1/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-sunburn. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Lip cancer: Not uncommon, often overlooked. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/lip-cancer-not-uncommon. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Prevention guidelines. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Saving face. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/mohs-surgery/mohs-surgery-saving-face. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Skin cancer: prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic%5Finfo/prevention.htm. Updated February 15, 2013. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Skin cancer: risk factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic%5Finfo/risk%5Ffactors.htm. Updated March 27, 2013. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Sunscreen. The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity website. Available at: http://www.skcin.org/Sun-Safety/Sun-Screen. Accessed March 29, 2013.
Year-round sun protection. Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at: http://www.skincancer.org/year-round-sun-protection.html. Accessed March 29, 2013.