Often effective UV protection need not be expensive or
laborious. Sometimes a change of lifestyle habits will do. Below
are some common rules-of-thumb that you can adopt to reduce the
harm caused by UV rays:
1. Avoid the
sun between 10am to 4pm, when UV rays are at their strongest.
2. Wear a
broad-brimmed hat to shield your head, face and neck. Wear long-
sleeves, long pants and skirts to offer protection to your
limbs.
3. Darker
fabric colours offer better UV protection than lighter colours;
tightly-woven fabric materials are a plus.
4. Wear
sunglasses with effective UV protection. Note that darker glasses
need not mean better protection. (In fact, by cutting down the
amount of light reaching your eyes, your pupils dilate thereby
increasing the potential for UV damage!)
5. When
working in offices, stay away from windows. Research has shown
ordinary dual-pane glass allows 62% of UV light to pass
through.
6. It is a
fallacy that staying underwater helps in avoiding UV rays. Water
reflects an additional 5% of UV rays back at you.
7. Many people
conscientiously apply sunscreen to their body, only to neglect
areas such as the lips and hair. Use a lip gloss with SPF and a
protective hair spray for maximum UV defence.
8. Use
sunscreens with the appropriate SPF factor. For office use, a SPF 8
sunscreen may be adequate for a quick hop to lunch but if you have
sensitive skin or works directly under the sun, a higher SPF is
warranted.
9. Use
waterproof sunscreen if you intend to swim. Note that toweling
removes sunscreen from your skin. A second application may be
required.
10. Apply
sunscreen 30 minutes prior to any activity. For sufficient
coverage, apply sunscreen (measured in terms of S$1 coin-sized
blob) to parts of your body as shown below:
Melanoma Skin Cancer by the Sun
Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer. It is initiated in
melanocytes cells that produce the substance melanin, giving
our skin the tan colour. In men, melanoma is found most often on
the area between the shoulder and hips and on the head and neck. In
women, melanoma often develops in the legs. It affects all age
groups and is one of the most common cancers among young adults.
Melanoma is thought to be associated with prolonged exposure to the
sun.
In the early stages, melanoma can often be cured. However, without
early diagnosis and treatment, the cancerous cells may spread to
other parts of the body, hence reducing the chances of recovery.
Melanoma can appear as a new mole, or develop slowly in or near an
existing mole. Spots on the skin that are changing size, shape and
colour must be evaluated promptly. If in doubt, seek a medical
opinion. For more information, visit http://www.melanoma.com.
In our next article, let us discuss about our prized follicles -
our hair and the punishment it suffers from constant sun
exposure.
Sun Maven Tip for the Consumer:
Using a tanning bed is akin to sunbathing in the Sahara desert.
Studies have found the UV exposure in most cases to be even higher
than that of the mid-summer sun. For those who wish to be bronzed
without the ill effects, fake tanning is the answer. Fake tanning
involves spraying a tan colouring onto the body. A professional
beautician should be able to mimic a natural tan as though you have
been frolicking in the Hawaiian sun.