Without protection against UVA and UVB rays from the sun, the skin can be seriously damaged. The recently published cancer figures for 2022 show a sharp increase in the number of people diagnosed with mole cancer last year. By then, we were already at the top of the world in terms of mortality from mole cancer, according to the Cancer Society. news has asked dermatologist Mohammad Rizvi what one should think about in the face of the summer sun. Mohammad Rizvi Specialist in skin diseases Senior doctor at the skin department, Rikshospitalet Daily manager at Askin, digital dermatologist service Why should I use sunscreen? – Sunscreen should limit the harmful effects of sun rays and their negative consequences, says dermatologist Mohammad Rizvi. Around 90 per cent of skin cancer cases have a connection to UV radiation from the sun and solarium, according to the Cancer Society. – A rule to remember is that A stands for aging and B stands for combustion, says Rizvi. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause wrinkles and age-related changes. UVB rays stop at the outermost layer of the skin and do not go deeper. The UVB rays mainly lead to sunburn and cell changes in the skin. – Both types of UV radiation can cause skin cancer, but UVB probably causes the lion’s share, says Rizvi. Along with sunscreen, it may be a good idea to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the radiation by wearing a sun hat or long-sleeved clothing, and taking breaks when the sun is at its strongest. UV radiation Ultraviolet rays, also called UV light, come mainly from the sun, but also from some artificial light sources. This is light that humans cannot see. Depending on the wavelength of the rays, they are divided into three groups, UVA, UVB and UVC. About 95 percent of UVA rays reach the earth’s surface. The UVA rays pass through the skin’s top layer and can penetrate deep into the skin and cause cell changes that can lead to aging of the skin, the formation of dark spots in the skin (pigment changes) and, in the long term, the development of melanoma (mole cancer). About 5 percent of UVB rays reach the earth’s surface. The UVB rays are absorbed in the top layer of the skin and it is these rays that cause the skin to turn brown. In excessive amounts, on the other hand, the UVB rays can lead to redness of the skin and sunburn, which in the long run can lead to the development of melanoma. UVC (100-280 nm wavelength): The UVC rays can be dangerous even in small amounts, but they are stopped in the ozone layer of the atmosphere and do not reach the earth’s surface. Source: fhi.no How much sunscreen should I apply? – A rule of thumb is that a handful of sunscreen is enough for the whole body, says Rizvi. He experiences that consumers, manufacturers and the media contribute to an increased focus on the use of sunscreen. Nevertheless, his impression is that consumers do not use enough cream. – If you apply sun protection factor 30, but do not take as much as recommended in the instructions for use, you are in practice less protected than you think. An adult needs a handful of sunscreen for the body. Photo: Hans Ola Hevrøy / news How often do I have to apply a new layer? – You should lubricate yourself every two hours out in the sun, encourages Rizvi. If you bathe frequently or sweat a lot, you should lubricate yourself more often. – You should preferably apply sunscreen fifteen minutes before going out in the sun. I understand that it is not always easy, but feel free to try. What sun factor do I need? Sunscreen with factor 15 protects against 93 percent of UV rays, factor 30 protects against 96 percent, and factor 50 protects against 98 percent, according to sml. – Factor is a ratio between how quickly the skin can be burnt with sun factor compared to without sun factor, explains the dermatologist. The ratio figure is based on the measurement unit “minimal erythema dose” (MED). A MED is the smallest dose of energy needed to produce a slightly burnt red color in the skin. – You must not be deceived by the fact that a high sun factor means that you can be out many times longer in the sun, says Rizvi. He does not want to say that a higher sun protection factor means that you can spend more minutes in the sun between each application. If you sunbathe longer with sunscreen than you would have done without, you are exposed to greater amounts of UV rays, even if you apply sunscreen. – If you are more exposed to the risk of skin cancer or have had skin cancer, you should use factor 50. Different skin types and the use of medication will also play a role. Do you use sunscreen? Yes! Weekday. No never. Yes, but only when it’s sunny. Show result Medicines and the sun – what should I think about? – Some medicines increase sun sensitivity, this applies to some antibiotics, heart medicines and immunosuppressive medicines. Research has shown that long-term use of some of these drugs increases the risk of skin cancer, explains Rizvi. Does skin type matter? – Consumers with darker skin types, who have more pigment are more naturally protected from the sun’s rays, may have slightly less need for sunscreen and have less chance of developing skin cancer, says Rizvi. Lighter skin types need more protection from the sun. – Dark skin provides more natural protection against the sun’s harmful rays, but not complete protection. That’s why everyone, regardless of skin colour, should use sunscreen, notes Rizvi. I want to tan – should I ditch the sunscreen? A common myth is that you won’t get a tan when you use sunscreen. – So many UV rays are released through the sunscreen that you get a tan anyway, says Rizvi. Using sunscreen will not make you less tanned. On the contrary, the sunscreen will ensure that you don’t end up like a boiled lobster. Photo: Anders Aagaard Does sunscreen stop vitamin D production? Another myth Rizvi is familiar with is that using sunscreen stops the body’s production of vitamin D. – 90 percent of vitamin D production in the body occurs from sunlight, specifically UVB rays. Ten minutes of sun on the face, hands and feet three times a week is enough to maintain the vitamin D level you need. From Oslo and northwards there is no UVB radiation from September to April, and thus the body does not produce vitamin D in the autumn and winter months either. – It is not without reason that we have an old woman’s advice to take cod liver oil in all months with “R”. But do we still have to apply sunscreen when the UVB rays are absent? Do I have to lubricate myself all year round? – Even on cloudy days in summer, up to 40 per cent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate the clouds and reach your skin, says Rizvi. It is therefore important to use sunscreen in the summer, even if it is cloudy. – I personally believe that in the winter months, when the sun is not so high in the sky and the UV radiation is not so strong, it is strictly speaking not necessary to wear sunscreen. Nevertheless, Rizvi clarifies that different experts and professional groups will probably give different advice. – I believe that sunscreen should be used mainly when solar radiation is at its strongest. Others believe that since you have UVA rays all year round you should always use sunscreen. – One third of the factor in sunscreens sold in Norway must apply to UVA radiation. Does sunscreen have an expiration date? – It is usually said that sunscreen is a fresh product. If you have had it lying somewhere without it being exposed to the sun, you can use it after the expiry date and if it smells and looks good, explains Rizvi. Without sun protection, UVB rays can burn your skin quite badly. Burns increase the chance of skin cancer. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB If the accident is out first – what do I do? – If you are first burned, it is important to take care of the skin. Red skin corresponds to a first-degree burn. If there are large areas of deeper burns, such as blisters, it is a second-degree burn. – Apply moisturizer and apply a bandage. If it is very burnt, you can visit your local emergency room to see if you need further treatment. Can I get skin cancer after just one burn? – The more burns, the higher the risk of getting skin cancer. Our skin “remembers” our sunburns. Even a burn can, in theory, increase the risk, says the dermatologist. Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. 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– You must not be deceived by a high sun factor – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
