Play it safe with the summer sun

It’s summer time, which means beach, braais and the great outdoors. It also means more time in the sun, which can be dangerous if not treated with respect. Discover more…

The Facts

• Skin cancer is ranked among the 10 most common cancers in South Africa.
• South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, after Australia.

How to protect your employees and their loved ones:

Facts about blood types:

Protect face and eyes with a broad-brimmed hat (at least 10 cm all the way around) and sunglasses that filter out 99 – 100 % of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Employees should cover their body by wearing long sleeves and pants when they aren't swimming.

Stay out of the sun from 10:00 to 16:00, even on cloudy days. UV intensity is determined by the angle of the rays and not the temperature. UV radiation is most dangerous between 10:00 and 15:00, when the sun is at its most intense.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15: Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before being exposed to the sun and reapply every two hours when outdoors.

Monitor your exposure: Your employees should monitor their UV-ray exposure with a CANSA UV-Smart Armband that turns darker as the UV-rays intensify. Each shade gives protection recommendations to follow in order to avoid sunburn.

If your employees children are going to be spending most of their time outdoors, they might want to invest in sun-protective clothing with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher. (A product with a UPF of 30 will allow just 1/30th of the sun's UV radiation to penetrate the cloth.)

Top tip: Look out for the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR) on sunscreen products, clothing, swimwear, hats or sunglasses. It is the guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective products have complied with a strict set of criteria developed by CANSA in the interest of a SunSmart South Africa.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

UVA and UVB are both ultraviolet lights that differ in their biological activity and the depth at which they penetrate the skin. Here is what you should know:

UVA

UVA accounts for up to 95% of the solar UV radiation reaching the earth's surface.

Prevalence: It can be 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays.

When: UVA rays are present during all daylight hours and throughout the winter months.

Damage: It penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and plays a major part in skin aging and wrinkling.

NB: UVA radiation can penetrate glass and clouds.

UVB

UVB is the middle range of UV wavelengths and is responsible for burning, tanning and the acceleration of skin aging.

Damage: UVB tends to cause damage in more superficial epidermal layers and plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. NB: The most significant amount of UVB hits between 10:00 and 16:00 but it does not penetrate glass.

The truth about tanning

There is no such thing as a good tan. Tanning, whether it is on the beach or from a sunbed, is bad news. Why? Because tans are nothing but sustained skin cell damage caused by harmful UV radiation. At the very least, the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more) or, even worse, skin cancer. In fact, indoor UV tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors.

Five tops tips to ease sunburn

1. Act quickly: If your employee feels the tingling of a burn or sees any sign of skin reddening on them of their child, they should get out of the sun at once and start treatment.
2. Moisturise regularly: After a cool shower or bath, use a moisturizing cream or lotion to soothe the skin. Repeat frequently to make peeling and flaking less noticeable. Also consider products containing vitamin C and vitamin E as these can help limit skin damage. DO NOT scrub, pick or peel your skin or break blisters.
3. Keep hydrated: Any burn will draw fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of the body. So drink extra water, juice and sports drinks for a couple of days and watch for signs of dehydration, including reduced urination, headache, dizziness and sleepiness.
4. Assess the damage: Most sunburns can be treated at home but if blisters cover more than 20% of the body (eg: a child's whole back), seek immediate medical attention. Also, if you are sunburnt and are suffering from fevers and chills, you should seek medical advice.

Get screened

Check your moles regularly: Look out for any changes to moles, ie: size, texture, shape, colour and bleeding. Top tip: visit www.saveourskin.co.za for a step-by-step self-examination guide.

Get screened at your local CANSA Care Centre (www.cansa.org.za). If your employees are concerned about symptoms, they should contact their local Care Centre, doctor or dermatologist immediately.

Other Resources

www.skincancerfoundation.org.za
www.cansa.org.za

This article contains opinions and facts and references to other information sources. You should always consult a registered healthcare professional for any personal advice.