Illuminating Sun Safety : Empowering Skin Health for All
10 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
ONAJIA STUBBLEFIELD , MS & SARAH TAHERI , MS
MISCONCEP- TIONS AND CHALLENGES
Growing up , I remember being told by peers and adults that sunscreen wasn ’ t necessary for people with darker skin tones like mine . The prevailing belief seemed to be that melanin provided sufficient protection against the sun ’ s harmful rays . As I ’ ve grown older , I had hoped these comments would fade away as people became more health-conscious and aware of the sun ’ s dangers . Unfortunately , even now , I still hear a comment or two every summer without fail . Sadly , my experience is not unique . Individuals with skin of color often receive inadequate guidance on sun protection measures , leading to a lower likelihood of sunscreen use . Misconceptions regarding the necessity of sunscreen and the perceived invulnerability of darker skin contribute to this disparity . 1
Melanoma , a type of skin cancer for which UV radiation exposure from the sun is a major risk factor , poses a significant threat regardless of skin color . 2 , 3 , 4 Alarmingly , Kentucky has been among the top states with high melanoma incidence rates in recent years and these rates are steadily increasing . 5 , 6 A Google Trends analysis might reveal some of the cultural attitudes contributing to these numbers . Kentucky stands out among all states with the second highest number of searches for “ tanning beds ” but ranks within the bottom 10 for “ sunscreen ” within the past five years . 7
These personal experiences , statistics and insightful findings inspired us to write about the myriad benefits of sunscreen , along with its optimal usage . We also wanted to share tips on spotting potential skin cancer and the role the medical community plays in advocating for sun protection practices and fostering skin health equity .
BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The most important purpose of sunscreen is to serve as a barrier for UV rays that harm our skin . The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people use sunscreen that satisfies three conditions : broad spectrum ( protects against UVA and UVB rays ), sun protection factor ( SPF ) 30 or higher and water resistance . 4 UVB is a high energy wavelength and primarily affects the epidermis , the most superficial layer of the skin . UVA is a lower energy wavelength and is absorbed into the deeper dermis layer . 8 , 9 In general , UVB is associated with sunburn and skin damage ; however , UVA can increase the risk of skin cancer as well . To indicate protection from both UVA and UVB , sunscreens will have a label that states “ broad spectrum .” Look for this as well as SPF level of 30 or higher . It ’ s important to note that SPF only measures protection against UVB rays specifically , so be sure to check that the sunscreen is broad spectrum !
There are two primary types of sunscreen : chemical and mineral . Patients may ask their provider about the difference between the two and ask for the provider ’ s recommendation . Chemical sunscreens act to absorb the sun ’ s rays and convert them to heat , while mineral sunscreens both absorb the rays and act as a physical barrier to block and reflect the rays . Mineral sunscreens contain the ingredients titanium dioxide and / or zinc oxide . If the sunscreen doesn ’ t have either of those ingredients , then it ’ s a chemical sunscreen . Most importantly , both chemical and mineral sunscreens are considered safe and effective at protecting skin from harmful UV damage .
However , recent investigations by the FDA have determined that six of the most common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream . The clinical significance of these findings is still unclear , but the FDA has not yet determined these ingredients to be unsafe and still strongly advises all Americans to use sunscreen . 4 , 10 Some individuals are concerned about these findings and for this reason prefer mineral sunscreens . Additionally , mineral sunscreens are often recommended for those with