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H E A LT H Y FA M I L I E S
Are Sunscreens Still Relevant? ROBERT YOUNG, MD
dermatologist, Rocky Mountain Dermatology
Well, first, some statistics. There are roughly 3.5 million cases of skin cancer this year in America and Utah has one of the highest rates in the nation. One person dies from melanoma every 52 minutes and melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults ages 25-29. Beyond cancer risk, excessive sunshine clearly accelerates signs of aging. Yes, sunscreen is still relevant! To effectively protect the skin, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated 30 SPF or higher. Both chemical and physical sunscreens have their advantages and disadvantages, but either will adequately protect if
applied properly and reapplied every 80 minutes (sooner if swimming or sweating). Of course, abundant use of shade, broad-brimmed hats, and loose, long-sleeved clothing is encouraged. Rash guards are great for swimming. Choosing a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen is important because it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are generally the ones most responsible for sunburn, as they penetrate into the epidermis. UVA rays, on the other hand, extend much deeper into the continued on next page ...
