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Summer is the time for outside fun. But even as you gear up for a beach vacation, make sure you have picked the right sunscreen to protect your skin. Overexposure to the sun can cause its ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays to increase the risk of a variety of skin diseases, says Dr Yan Yan of the Department of Dermatology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing. "UVA is the cause of skin aging since it can penetrate to the dermis and do harm," says Yan. "UVB is the villain in skin cancer in that it can alter some DNA of the skin cells. The adverse effects of UVB are more obvious and harmful, as it can make the skin blister and become swollen." The sunscreen you pick should be able to block off UVB, says Yan. All sunscreens come with an SPF and PA label. SPF is the abbreviation for sun protection factor, which offers protection from UVB, while PA, protection grade of UVA, helps guard against UVA. "The most important label is the SPF one," says Yan. Generally, you should choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or above. While in theory, a sunscreen with an SPF 1 can fight UVB for 15 minutes, which means one with an SPF of 30 should work for 450 minutes, Yan points out that in practice, the effect will not last for such a long time, and the lotion should be re-applied every two hours. The label PA is indicated with "+" just like the SPF showed with numbers. "'PA+++' means the sunscreen can protect you from about 90 percent UVA," Yan says. "Though the SPF number is the decisive factor, choosing a sunscreen with both SPF and PA offers the best protection." When applying sunscreen, avoid the area around the eyes as the skin here is tender and sensitive. Wash the sunscreen off once you are back home so that any irritation can be minimized. Also, you should be aware that UV rays are the most intense between 11am and 3pm. Avoid going out at this time, or apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and use sunshades, says Yan. Foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants can also offer protection from the sun's impact on the skin. Tomatoes, Yan says, for example, are rich in vitamin C and in an antioxidant, lycopene. "Lemon, nuts and fish are also good," she adds. On the other hand, eating vegetables, such as celery, spinach and caraway, may cause much irritation after the skin has been exposed to UV rays. The same is true of medicines, such as oral contraceptives and antihistamines such as chlorphenamine. "If you experience sunburn, use a cold compress. But serious sunburn - with blistering and peeling - calls for professional treatment." According to a survey done by the World Health Organization, 132,000 people every year succumb to malignant melanoma, and more than 2 million develop other kinds of skin cancer, and the culprit in mist cases is overexposure to UV rays. 2009-08-21
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