Clare Oliver was a typical 19-year old girl, who enjoyed going to the beach and shopping with her friends. However, when she saw an advertisement – “Pay for 10 tanning sessions, and get 10 free!” her interest was piqued. Clare purchased the tanning package, and began going to tan at her local salon. The tanning attendant told her that the best way to get tan quickly, was to come in every other day, and use “speed cream”. Clare took her advice, and made it through 10 tanning sessions. However, after her 10th session, Clare’s skin began to hurt, and she decided to stop tanning.
Clare went on to receive a Bachelor of Media and Communication, as well as a Masters of Cinema from the University of Melbourne by the time she was 22. She began work as a sports journalist, and had many career plans for her future. However, when she discovered a lump under her armpit, she was frightened enough to go to the doctor. Though the lump vanished with treatment, it returned one year later. Clare eventually discovered that she had seven tumors in her chest, one in her neck, and one in her lung. After being positively diagnosed for melanoma, Clare eventually stopped responding to treatments. She lived until she was 26, and become one of the strongest advocates for putting strict restrictions on the use of tanning facilities by young girls.
Many people don’t realize the true dangers of exposing their skin to UV rays, either from a tanning salon or from spending time outdoors. To be able to safely enjoy your summer, you need to know why sunscreen is important, and how it functions to protect your health.
The Two Types of UV Rays
Sun damage to the skin is caused both by UVA and UVB rays. The damage by UVB rays is almost immediate, taking place within 60 seconds of exposure of unprotected skin. UVA rays also contribute to skin damage, being one of the contributing factors for developing premature wrinkles.
What does SPF Mean?
SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”. Currently, SPF ratings are only designed to rate a sunscreen’s protection against UVB sun rays, as there is currently no rating system for protection against UVA rays.
The Difference Between Sunscreen and Sunblock
When you see a product advertised as “Sunblock”, this means that it operates as a “shield” to reflect the sun’s rays away from your skin. Sunblock products usually contain titanium dioxide. A sunscreen product functions to soak up UV rays before they are able to damage your skin. Sunscreen products usually contain PABA and Salicylates. However, some sun products contain both sunscreen and sunblock ingredients.
Broad Spectrum Sun Products
In order to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, it’s recommended that you choose a sunscreen that is labeled as “Broad Spectrum”.
Premature Aging
Exposure to UV rays is the number one cause of premature aging, wrinkling and skin damage. Though having a tan may be socially desirable, it’s important to remember that a tan represents damage to your skin by the sun.
Sunscreen Effectiveness
The protection you gain from sunscreen is only effective if you apply it properly. At a minimum, you should re-apply your sunscreen after being out in the sun for approximately three hours. If you’re swimming, remember to reapply your suncreen after one hour, even if your sunscreen is “waterproof”. Make sure that you cover all exposed skin with a layer of sunscreen, in order to maximize your protection.
