Why Skin Cancer Happens To People Who Use Sun Screen

Sun tan lotion can help protect the skin while a person enjoys being out in the sun. But, if not used correctly, the skin can become as damaged as if the person had not used sun screen at all. Here is how the sun interacts with the skin and the proper way to use sun screen.

Sunlight and the Skin

Sunlight is made up of three types of ultraviolet rays:

• Ultraviolet A - These rays travel deep into the skin tissue. They can travel through glass and light clothing.

• Ultraviolet B - These rays affect the surface of the skin and do not penetrate far beneath it. These rays can be blocked by clothing.

• Ultraviolet C - These rays are normally blocked by the ozone layer around the planet.

The skin contains special cells which produce a dark pigment, called melanin, in response to the UV rays of the sun. This is the tan that people experience when they are out in the sun. While many people enjoy the darkening of the skin, the real purpose is to shield the skin from UV rays.

The skin can produce a limited amount of melanin and when that is exhausted, the skin becomes vulnerable to damage. The UV-B rays can cause the cells to change on the surface of the skin and become cancerous. The UV-A rays can create malignant tumors deep in the skin layers.

The Use of Sun Screen

Sun screen lets a person stay out longer in the sun because it blocks out part of the UV rays so the melanin-producing cells don't have to work as hard. Sun screen is only an effective block if properly used:

• apply liberal amounts over all of the exposed skin

• reapply to areas where the sun screen as been removed by perspiration

• reapply often as directed on the container to maintain the protection

Failure to reapply sun screen per the manufacturer's instructions is one reason that people who use sun screen still have skin damage.

Signs of Impending Skin Damage

Red skin is an indication that the skin is no longer protected. Applying more lotion at this point won't help. A person with red skin needs to get out of the sun. Covering up with a shirt also doesn't help as the UV-A rays can pass through clothing.

Ifthe redness doesn't go away after a few hours, it's time to see a dermatologist Palo Alto to determine if there is skin damage. If the skin becomes dry, then there is likely damage and the doctor will prescribe lotions to re-moisturize the skin. If left untreated, dry skin can result in scars and skin cancer.

By knowing how the sun and skin interact, and how to properly use sun screen, a person can enjoy the sun and protect their skin from the damaging ultraviolet rays.