Sun Care Flashcards
3 most common skin cancers caused by UV exposure
melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma
What negative effects can UV exposure have on the skin?
cancer, wrinkling and hyperpigmentation
What is photoaging?
photoaging, which is the development of visible deep wrinkles (in contrast with the fine lines that are characteristic of intrinsic aging), thickened skin, and irregular hyperpigmentation, often called age spots
What role does vitamin D play in the body.
We do need vitamin D to maintain immune function and bone health, and low levels of vitamin D appear to contribute to cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety disorders (Lucas et al., 2006). But here’s the catch: more sun doesn’t necessarily mean more vitamin D.
What are skin phenotypes?
Skin phenotype—in other words, the appearance and color of the skin—is primarily a reflection of the content and type of melanin pigment produced. Eumelanin is a dark pigment that is highly protective against UV radiation, while pheomelanin is a reddish pigment that is permeable to UV radiation and consequently does not protect the skin from damage by UV radiation. Although dark skin is certainly susceptible to damage from the sun and dark-skinned individuals can indeed develop skin cancer, the presence of higher amounts of eumelanin is protective, so it typically takes a greater amount of UV radiation exposure to cause an equivalent amount of skin damage in dark skin versus lighter skin (D’Orazio et al., 2013). At the same time, those with darker skin may require more UV radiation exposure to produce vitamin D, and may need more time in the sun than those with lighter skin in order to get the same benefits. The individuals most at risk of skin damage from UV radiation, and particularly for the development of skin cancer, are those with very pale skin that is very sensitive to sunlight, rarely or never develops a tan, and burns easily; this skin type is most common among those with blue or green eyes and Northern European ancestry (D’Orazio et al., 2013), but the determining factor is the appearance and reactivity of the skin.
How much sun exposure is adequate?
15 minutes of sun daily on the face, hands, and arms is adequate to produce 1,000 IU of vitamin D, which is generally considered enough to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D in the body (Lucas et al., 2006).
What is the difference between UVA and UVB light?
Ambient sunlight is a mixture of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) types of radiation. UVB radiation primarily drives inflammation, causes the development of sunburns, and directly damages DNA by triggering the production of photolesions, or alterations in DNA that can lead to cancer (D’Orazio et al., 2013). UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin than UVB rays, and UVA rays can pass through glass and cloud cover—you can be exposed to UVA radiation even on cloudy days, when you’re riding in a car or indoors by a window. UVA radiation is typically associated with the type of skin damage that results in visible photoaging; that’s true, but in fact UVA radiation also causes oxidative stress that can also lead to DNA damage (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2017). In other words, both types of UV radiation may be linked to skin cancer, so it’s important to protect your skin even on cloudy days.
What spf should you use?
(SPF) of 30 or higher
photoprotective Herbs
Goldern Polypody fern (Phlebodium aureum) is taken internally, as it boosts the bodies antioxidant system.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaf is probably the most well-known and thoroughly researched of the antioxidant and photoprotective herbs, but tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) aerial parts and turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome are a close second!
These herbs can be combined with other familiar anti-inflammatory and skin-supportive herbs including aloe (Aloe vera) inner leaf, elder (Sambucus nigra and S. canadensis) flower, and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower to create oils, creams, and skin sprays for post-sun skin support.
photosensitizing herbs
chrysantenum
Herbs in the Apiaceae family that can be photosensitizing include khella (Ammi visnaga) seed, anise (Pimpinella anisum) seed, and celery (Apium graveolens) seed (Stansbury, 2011), although the significance of these effects will vary depending on dose and among individuals.
What is the main constituent in photosensitizing plants?
Many plants in the Apiaceae (carrot) family contain certain types of coumarin compounds, furanocoumarins, that have photosensitizing effects. (Take note, not all coumarins are photosensitizers! That’s important to know, because many plants in several plant families contain coumarins.) But even among the plants that contain furanocoumarins, not all of them will have notable sensitizing effects; for example, celery and parsley both contain bergapten, a sensitizing furanocoumarin—but the amount is so low that eating these herbs in dietary amounts won’t cause sensitivity (Stansbury, 2011).
hypericin
photosensitizing EO’s
EOs that are derived from citrus peel, such as bergamot (Citrus x bergamia), lemon (Citrus x limon), lime (Citrus x aurantifolia), grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), and bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium). Other potentially photosensitizing oils include mandarin leaf (Citrus x reticulata), anise (Pimpinella anisum), and angelica (Angelica spp.).
What are the four primary factors that increase the risk of developing melanoma?
Skin phenotype: Very pale or light skin that’s highly sensitive to sunlight, rarely or never tans, and burns or freckles easily; most common among those with blue or green eyes and Northern European ancestry.
Moles and freckles: Presence of multiple nevi, and/or history of developing atypical (precancerous) nevi.
History of sunburns: Intermittent sun exposure that results in sunburn at any time of life—risk for melanoma increases with repeated burns.
Family history of melanoma.
What to look for during a skin self-exam?
New growth—any spot on the skin that has changed shape or size and appears pearly or translucent, black, brown, or multicolored.
Changes in color, thickness, or size to existing moles, freckles, or spots.
Irregular outlines on new or existing moles, freckles, or spots.
Very large moles, freckles, or spots—greater than ¼ inch in diameter, or about the size of a pencil eraser.
A sore or spot that itches, hurts, bleeds, or crusts over and doesn’t heal within 3 weeks.
