It is very important to learn how to use sunscreen correctly, since although it is not enough to prevent melanoma, in conjunction with proper practices it reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Preventing melanoma is the main objective of any sun protection measure . Beyond the fact that the sun's rays cause dryness or premature aging, the most important thing is that they cause cancer, and that's why you have to take the necessary precautions.
Community awareness of the risks of sun exposure has increased. However, there are still doubts regarding some points. One of them is whether sunscreens can prevent melanoma.
The answer to this question is that sunscreens do not completely prevent melanoma , but they do contribute to that end. By themselves, they are not able to avoid the risk, although together with other measures they enhance their defense effect.
Solar radiation and melanoma
The sun emits different types of radiation that differ from each other by wavelength. The famous ultraviolet rays are of three types: A, B and C. The most dangerous are type C, but the ozone layer manages to absorb them and they do not reach the Earth's surface.
Type B ultraviolet rays are the cause of skin cancer , and type A cause skin aging, but also tanning. In addition, the sun emits visible rays that allow us to perceive colors, and infrared rays that produce heat and vasodilation.
Long exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing melanoma. The damage caused by the sun's rays on the skin is cumulative , so the greater the number of exposures, the greater the risk of skin cancer. It should be noted that this neoplasm has tripled in the world in the last decades.
The word melanoma comes from the Greek roots " melas " and " oma ", which means " black tumor ". As can be inferred, it is a dark and malignant tumor that appears due to the indiscriminate growth of melanocytes , which are skin cells.
Keep reading: Keys to protect yourself from UV rays
Prevent melanoma with sunscreens
The idea that sun exposure is not dangerous if you wear a sunscreen has become popular. This is a misconception, as these products alone cannot prevent melanoma , which is the most aggressive skin cancer.
Sunscreens do help stop radiation entering the skin as long as their use is correct and accompanied by other care measures. The first thing is the correct use of these products. And we must talk about it because it is common for mistakes to be made, such as the following:
- Do not use sunscreen every day: no matter that the sky is overcast, the sun's rays always penetrate the skin.
- Using an inadequate protector: it is advisable for the dermatologist to determine what type of sunscreen should be used by each person.
- Missing the graduation: you have to use a broad spectrum sunscreen; that is, it protects against UVA and UBV rays. Likewise, they have a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 35.
- Apply once: even if it is said that the protector is of long duration, it is recommended to repeat the application every two hours if you are exposed to direct sun.
Find out more: If you have an allergy to cats, this interests you
Other data of interest
Sunscreen helps prevent melanoma if other care measures are applied simultaneously. Mainly, avoid exposing yourself to the sun, whenever possible, between 10 am and 4 pm. It is important to cover yourself well, with a cap and sunglasses with UV filter.
It is more than advisable to consult the dermatologist when a mole comes out , or when an existing mole changes appearance. To know if one of these injuries is risky, we must apply the so-called ABCD rule:
- A for asymmetry: the more asymmetrical a mole, the more suspicious.
- B of edges: irregular edges can be a sign of melanoma.
- Color C: Moles with color variation in the same area are more suspicious.
- D diameter: if the diameter is 6 millimeters or more, the mole is highly suspicious.
Melanoma can be prevented
As with many other pathologies, prevention is possible and is at our fingertips . With some basic measures that combine the use of sunscreen, plus exposure to appropriate times, we will avoid cancer. And before the doubt that a mole generates, the timely consultation with the dermatologist will put us on alert.
No comments:
Post a Comment