Sun safety now pays dividend later

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona --  Having fun in the sun is great while at the the beach, river, hiking and other outdoor activities, but too much exposure and not enough protection can lead to sunburn. Sun damage can lead to skin cancer.

"The sun can do a lot of damage to our skin, with most people thinking only of putting on sunscreen when going to the beach or a ball game," said Maj. Renae Denelsbeck, 56th Medical Operations Squadron Family Health Flight commander and nurse practitioner. "What many don't realize is that even everyday sun exposure can lead to damage and ultimately skin cancer.

Whether or not an individual gets sun burned depends on their skin type.

"Our genetic makeup and coloring can also have an impact on the amount of damage and potential for skin cancer," Denelsbeck said. "So for fair-skinned, blonde or red-haired individuals, it's even more important."

Additionally, the level of melanin, which is the pigment that gives human skin, hair and eyes color, can have an effect on the skin's reaction to the sun.

"Your body normally makes melanin to protect the deeper layers of your skin from damage," said Staff Sgt. Jason De Jesus, 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety technician. "When your skin gets damaged by the sun's rays, it makes even more melanin to try to protect your skin from further damage. This is what causes the skin to change color. Dark-skinned people usually turn darker brown, or tan, when they go in the sun, and light-skinned people usually turn more red, or burn."

"A sunburn is the skin's response to extreme ultraviolet exposure and indicates severe damage," Denelsbeck said. "In as little as 10 minutes of intense UV exposure, damage can already be in motion." Wearing sunscreen can help protect skin from UV rays.

"Sunscreen acts as a barrier and shields some of the most damaging sun rays, UV sun light, that can lead to melanoma with prolonged exposure," Denelsbeck said. "Sunscreens come in different levels of sun protection factor, or SPF, which is a measure of how well the sunscreen will protect from UV rays. I usually recommend SPF 30, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, whereas SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent."

Other than applying sunscreen, the best protection is to stay out of the sun or wear protective clothing, Dejesus said.

"Wearing dark colored clothing such as deep blue and black or bright colors such as orange and red offer more protection," Denelsbeck said. "If you can see through it, the UV rays will get through it too. Wearing broad-brimmed hats to protect the face, where some of the most damaging effects take place, is encouraged."

To treat sunburn, Denelsbeck recommends the following:

· Drink water to hydrate the body.
· Take Motrin or ibuprofen for discomfort.
· Apply a cool, damp cloth over the area.
· Use a topical lotion which contains aloe vera.
· If a blister develops, do not break or remove it. Allow it to heal itself.

"I'm new to Arizona, so I feel guilty if I'm not enjoying the sunshine," Denelsbecksaid. "But I have found you can burnquickly and easily. Remember, protectiondoes not have to be costly or complicated,just consistent."