Being a doctor makes the reality of sun damage impossible to ignore. Far too many of my patients have visited the dermatologist to have cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions removed. My few perma-tanned patients who have not developed dangerous moles complain of more rapidly aging skin than their paler counterparts. Perhaps even more sobering is my own personal cadre of sun-related blemishes. These have caused me to gather a large collection of wide-brimmed hats (for use in concert with my SPF 15), and contemplate complete avoidance of naughty Mr. Sun.
There are several problems with complete sun avoidance. As mentioned previously, the sun is good for our mental health. Sunlight makes us happy. It also makes us strong — we need the sunshine to metabolize vitamin D and maintain healthy bones. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to rickets, multiple sclerosis and cancer. vitamin D is so important that some experts even recommend (limited) daily doses of sunlight. Finally, sun avoidance is simply not practical. Especially for most parents. Between soccer matches, baseball games and outdoor swim meets, my husband and I are outside almost every day. If we were to choose solar abstinence, we would never see our kids.
What is it about the sun that is so worrisome? Ultraviolet rays. There are three types:
• UV-A rays (also present in tanning beds) which cause skin cancer and premature aging. These are not blocked by the earth’s atmosphere.
• UV-B rays which lead to skin cancer, sunburns and eye damage. These are partially blocked by the earth’s atmosphere (or ozone layer).
• UV-C rays which are also dangerous, but are totally blocked by the earth’s atmosphere.
In an effort to minimize the impact of UV-A and UV-B rays upon our skin, the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org) recommends that we “Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap.” This catchy slogan (borrowed from an Australian skin-cancer prevention campaign) is meant to help us remember to:
• Slip on a shirt, preferably with long sleeves and coupled with long pants;
• Slop on sunscreen of the “broad-spectrum,” SPF 15 type (FMI visit www.greenguide.com or www.consumersearch.com);
• Slap on a hat, of the wide-brimmed variety;
• Wrap on sunglasses with an UV-A and B blocking filter (visit www.aao.org).
The sun is meant to be respected, not avoided. With appropriate slipping, slopping, slapping and wrapping, we can joyfully explore Maine’s summer wonderland. We can also more fully relish our relationship with Mr. Sun.
Dr. Lisa Belisle is a family physician and advisor for the MaineHealth Learning Resource Centers. She practices medical acupuncture in Yarmouth, where enjoys Maine’s summer wonderland with her husband and three children.