Healthy Living examines why skin must be protected

The weatherman is predicting sunny days over the long weekend, that is good news, you may think if you plan to be outdoors. But how much sun is good? Whether it is the Cross Country Classic, or if you go to the beach or simply plan to be outdoors, Healthy Living has some tips on how to weather the sun and protect yourself from the harsh sunrays.

Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Basking in the sun is not a choice for most Belizeans even though we live in a sub-tropical climate and we have a tendency to enjoy outdoor activities. We soak up much more sun than we realize. But how often do we take stock of the effects of the sunlight on our skin? Dermatologist, Dr. Ines Moguel points out that our sun exposure is better in limited doses.

Dr. Ines Mendez Moguel, Dermatologist
“First of all, the sunray is a way of getting energy from the sun but it is also harmful. So it can damage your eyes it can cause blindness, cataract but it can also affect your skin and the first thing that people will tend to worry about would be wrinkles, sunburn but also skin cancer. The potency of the sun rays we have basically two types of sunrays that we usually talk about. The ultraviolet A & B. The difference is that the B cause more sunburn but the A goes deeper so it cause more damage.”

This damage may not show its real effects until long after. And more importantly can affect all skin types and ages.

Dr. Ines Mendez Moguel
“Usually when you get sunburn that will mean five to ten years later you can develop skin cancer and that would be dependent on the type of skin. A misconception that people believe only white people, clear skin people should protect but that is not so. Even if we are tan we should protect ourselves. People should be aware that the earlier a person gets sunburn especially in children, the bigger the damage will be at the end. Usually we’re looking at persons who develop skin cancer and we look back five to ten years and that’s a person who should have had at least one serious sun burn.”

So how can you manage to still have fun in the sun and practice sun safety? Timing, protection and even clothing choices are essential.

Dr. Ines Mendez Moguel
“First of all, it’s the time of the day we have to avoid being outdoors between ten in the morning to three p.m.; in some countries to four. So limit your time outdoors, using sunscreen, using a hat for example which will protect your nose your ears the areas that protrude and those are places where we would find skin cancer very common. If you’re going to be outdoors because of your work, use long sleeve. Usually look for light colored clothes.”

The most common type of protection is the use of sunscreen. With the wide selection of sunscreens available, Dr. Moguel says the most important thing to ensure is to look for a sunscreen that protects from both UV rays. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Dr. Ines Mendez Moguel
“We would like to look at the number. People normally look at the number. People usually think the higher the number the more protected. It’s not so. Fifteen will protect you from ninety-three percent of the sun rays that you’re exposed to while if you use a thirty SPF it will protect you ninety-seven. So there’s no real difference. The difference is the amount of time you apply. The sunscreen when you apply there’ll like a film and it will take sometimes up to twenty minutes, sometimes half an hour to be absorbed so usually we want to make sure the patient use it at least twenty minutes before you get exposed. because if you use it and go outside you may not be protected.”

Marleni Cuellar
“So don’t put on your sun block when you’re already in the sun.”

Dr. Ines Martines Moguel
“At least twenty minutes and if you apply it and then go swimming it wash off so you’re not being protected.”

Other things to remember: drying off with a towel does wipe off the sunscreen. Makeup should be worn under your sunscreen and repellant shortens the spectrum of the protection. This is all in an effort to prevent unnecessary damage.

Dr. Ines Martines Moguel
“You have to know that the long term cost. So not protecting yourself today will probably have a problem with your health later and it would be more serious.”

Protection in this case is the main form of prevention.