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www.thevillagenews.co.za
18 December 2019
Slip, slop, slap for sunburn protection Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie
L
ike South Africans, Australians are sun worshippers – the more of it the better. Unfortunately, too much fun in the sun is not good for our skins and may result in severe health consequences in the long term. Which is why we would do well to adopt the Australian sun protection slogan, Slip Slop Slap – slip into protective clothing, slop on lots of sunscreen lotion and slap on a widebrimmed hat. Although there is a growing awareness of the dangers associated with over-exposure to harmful UV rays, some people still seem to have an illogical obsession with tanning, while there are others, like farmers or game rangers, whose occupation holds an inherent health hazard. As dermatologist Dr Lizmaré Brönn points out, according to the Fitzpatrick categorisation, there are six distinct skin types, each of which responds to a varying degree to over-exposure to the sun. “The number one skin type is your typical redhead, blue eyes and pale skin, and that is the one most prone to severe blistering. I often see holidaymakers from the UK and Europe, so excited about our sunny weather that the first day they arrive at the coast they rush onto the beach and spend the whole day there. After that experience, the rest of the holiday is spent indoors on their beds covered in after-sun cream to ease their blistered skin. “Fortunately, people with that skin type are generally more careful about taking precautions. They only need one bad burn to realise how painful it can be, whereas those with a darker
skin, go their merry way in the sun with apparently no ill-effects until it suddenly catches up with them at the age of 70 and then it’s often too late.” Dr Brönn emphasises that the worst damage to the unprotected skin occurs before the age of 20, but there is a cumulative effect and after one too many of such moments in the sun, dermatologists end up diagnosing skin cancer. She is also absolutely unequivocal about the dangers of trying to acquire a tan by means of a sun bed. In several definitive studies, particularly in Northern Hemisphere countries, it has been shown that they have a catastrophic effect on the skin, so much so that they are referred to as melanoma machines. You definitely don’t want to go there. There are three major forms of skin cancer, which Dr Brönn refers to as the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Based on the seriousness of the condition: they are the rodent ulcer, often seen in the fair-skinned group, which can be successfully treated; squamous cell carcinoma which develops from solar keratoses and may not want to heal, possibly requiring surgery, and the really Ugly one – melanoma – which, if not caught in time, may lead to death. Any sign of an existing or new mole (the ‘ugly duckling’ amongst the rest) which grows fast, is painful or bleeds, calls for an immediate visit to the doctor; in fact an annual skin check-up is a good idea – the doctor may pick up something you hadn’t even noticed. But of course, prevention is better than cure and a useful rule of thumb, whether you’re going to the beach, playing a round of golf or working in the garden, is do it before 10:00 in the morning or after 14:00 in the after-
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noon. During the hottest time of the day, it’s best to remain indoors or in the shade (and don’t forget, UV levels can be as bad – or worse – in overcast weather as on a sunny day). Dr Brönn has some other helpful tips for avoiding sunburn, so let’s go back to our slip, slop, slap slogan: Slip on protective clothing Any thick-weave, preferably dark, cotton top is good and remember wet fabric lets in the rays, so always wear something over a wet costume. Children who are much more vulnerable to sunburn than adults would do well to wear long-sleeved UV-protective swim suits, and this goes for people engaging in kite surfing, body boarding and surfing as well. Time flies when you’re having fun and before you know it, you’re burnt.
Slop on protective sunscreen “There is quite a lot of controversy around sunscreen lotions and creams, but if you choose a well-known brand containing no harmful chemicals, which has been thoroughly tested, approved by the EC or the FDA and is at least a factor SPF 50 broad-spectrum product, it should be 100% safe,” says Dr Brönn. “Make sure you apply lots of it, though, at least 30 ml for adults (about two tot-glasses full) all over the body and do it half an hour before going into the sun – it needs that amount of lead time to become fully effective. “The other thing to remember is to repeat the application at least every two hours, or after you have been in the water. Even perspiration will dilute its effectiveness.”
Slap on a hat Very simple: it must be a broadbrimmed hat, which will protect your face and neck. A cap is not a hat. In the unfortunate event of a child suffering severe sunburn and blistering, it is important to get her or him to a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will no doubt advise that the child be given lots of fluids and be kept out of the sun altogether for the next couple of days. An anti-inflammatory will probably be prescribed, as well as an after-sun cream. So these holidays, let’s all be safe rather than sorry. Carelessness could cause serious long-term damage. It’s super-easy – just slip, slop and slap, and your vacation on the beautiful Whale Coast could be the best ever.
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