"The Dark Side of
the Sun"
All life on earth depends on the
light reaching us from the sun. Photosynthesis
harnesses the sun's light (remember
Chlorophyll?) and
produces glucose in the plants which are then eaten by animals and since we
are animals we are here because of the Sun. Sunlight keeps
us warm. And we need sunlight to help make
Vitamin D.
And it keeps us from getting
sad as in
Seasonal Affective Disorder.
And it give us
Rainbows. And
we don't stumble over things in the day because we can see
them. So faaaar so goooood..... What's the
catch?
Lets start at the
beginning.
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum
The Problem: The "Dark Side of the Sun" UV
Radiation and Our Skin.
The Solution: Avoidance, Prevention, Protection
and Correction
The Skin Cancer Foundation - 2008 Skin Cancer Facts
New Rating for Sunscreens and Sunblocks
on the Way
The UV Index
Artificial Tanning, Sun Tanning Beds and Products
Eye Protection
Other Links,
Official agencies, Neat Products, Protective Clothing etc
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum
The Sun emits many wavelengths of
the
Electromagnetic Spectrum. Remember your Physics
Class? Here are a couple of diagrams to remind you.
These Electromagnetic Waves vary greatly in their
wavelengths and their energies. It turns out that our
atmosphere blocks out a lot of the deadliest of these waves
because of that neat
Ozone
layer. It is especially good that it stops the gamma
and xrays or we would be vaporized like in Star Trek. Radioactive
elements also emit Xrays and gamma rays and these are both helpful and
potentially harmful.
Remember Chernobyl Disaster?
Only 3 of these wavelengths have
significance for us however, the Ultraviolet, Visible and
Infrared parts of the Spectrum.
Most of the Sunlight
that reaches the Earth is in the Visible and Infrared
regions.
Visible Light
wavelengths, 400-700nm, reach the earth
and bounce
off objects. Our retinas can sense this reflection and we can
distinguish colors. This kind of light is totally
harmless and is what our Intense Pulsed Light device emits.
Visible light, especially the Blue and Red wavelength, is the
light that is used in Photosynthesis (Marijuana growers
understand all this).
(See Article).
The
Infrared wavelengths,
750nm-1mm that reaches the Earth causes 49% of the heating
of the Earth, the rest is from
the Visible light. Visible and Infrared light is
absorbed by the land and water and warms up the earth and as
long as we don't get too warm because of trapped heat (Greenhouse
effect) we're gonna be OK.
Infrared
Saunas use heaters that emit Infrared radiation
that warms the Sauna air, our bodies and/or stones.
Ultraviolet
or UV rays (Ultra = above Violet) also reach the
earth and the rest of this article deals with how these rays
cause mischief with our skin.
The UV region covers the wavelength
range 100-400 nm and is divided into three bands:
98.7% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface s
UVA.
- UVA (315-400 nm), long wave, or
Black Light, not blocked by
Ozone layer, Most reaches the earth and penetrates skin deeply
(Dermis)
- UVB (280-315 nm), medium wave, mostly blocked by Ozone
layer, penetrates thin layer (Epidermis) of skin. SPF refers
to protection against UVB
- UVC (100-280 nm), short wave,
blocked by Ozone layer, very deadly, used to kill
bacteria (Germicidal) as in
Ultraviolet Germicidal Radiation.
The Problem: The "Dark Side of
the Sun" UV Radiation and Our Skin.
UVA rays cause aging of the
skin because they penetrate into the dermis and create free
radicals and activate enzymes which damage our Collagen and
this leads to wrinkles and UVA alters our Elastin which
leads to more sagging (Gravity is also a Factor) and all
this makes us look old and our skin can start to look like
leather and kids on the beach stick their tongues out at us.
The UVB rays are the burning rays of the sun
and are
the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancers and UVB
suppresses the immune system which leads to things like cold
sores and cancers and cataracts. Humans vary >100 fold
in their sensitivity to the harmful effects of UV Radiation.
Those who have organ transplants and are on
immunosuppressive drugs have a marked increase in skin
cancers and this is worsened considerably by sun exposure.
In some people, immune suppression occurs very rapidly
making them more likely to develop skin cancer. As the
Ozone layer is depleted, the amount of UVB reaching the
Earth will increase, thus making protection from UVB more
important. Severe Sunburns as adolescents markedly
increase the likelihood of skin cancers later in life.
People with more pigment in their skin have less skin cancer
because the pigment
(Melanin) blocks some of
the rays from reaching the living cells of the skin and
prevents the DNA from being damaged. Tanning of the
skin is therefore a protective mechanism to protect against
UV Rays.
UVA rays also
cause some skin cancer, primarily Melanoma, and a little
burning and tanning too (See
Tanning Beds) but UVA is the primary ray which plays a
role in premature aging, characterized by wrinkles, sun
damage, freckles, and skin sagging with the loss of
elasticity. Unfortunately, there are approximately
500 times more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB rays which is
reaching our skin. You are
continually exposed to harmful UVA rays even in the winter,
on a cloudy day, or sitting next to a window or in your car.
The effect of UVA on our skin is "real time" with immediate
production of free radicals and activation of enzymes which
breakdown our Collagen and alter our Elastin.
For details of all this refer to the
Article of the Month and these other references.
Pathophysiology
of Premature Skin Aging Induced by Ultraviolet Light
Fisher, E et al NEJM 1997
Skin cancers after organ
transplantation.
Euvrard S
N Engl J Med. 2003
Apr 24;348(17):1681-91.
Immunosuppression, skin
cancer, and ultraviolet A radiation.
Parrish JA.
N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 22;353(25):2712-3.
The influence of painful
sunburns and lifetime sun exposure on the risk of actinic
keratoses, seborrheic warts, melanocytic nevi, atypical
nevi, and skin cancer.
Kennedy
C et al J Invest Dermatol.
2003 Jun;120(6):1087-93.
The genetics of sun sensitivity in
humans.
Rees JL Am J Hum Genet.
2004 Nov;75(5):739-51. Epub 2004 Sep 15.
Sensitivity to Sunburn Is
Associated with Susceptibility to Ultraviolet
Radiation–Induced Suppression of Cutaneous Cell–Mediated
Immunity
Deirdre AK et alJ
Exp Med. 2000
February 7; 191(3):
561–566.
In case you were wondering,
enzymes called photolyses protect plants from UV
Radiation damages otherwise there would be a Plant
Dermatologist Specialty.
See Article.
98.7% of the UV radiation that reaches
the Earth's surface s UVA.
View movie of the short and long term effects of UV
exposure.
(Requires Flash Player -
Download now)
|
UV Photography Reveals Sun Damage
We can use ultraviolet (UV)
photography to show our patients how
the sun has damaged the skin. In the
following patient photographs, the
two photographs on the left in each
series were taken in ordinary light
and show what is visible to the
naked eye. The picture on the right
was taken with a UV-light camera and
illustrates the amount of damage
that lies beneath the surface of the
skin.
|
At age 18 months, sun
damage is not yet
apparent. |
| |
|
At age 4 years, early
sun damage is evident.
Notice the freckling
across the nose
and cheeks. |
| |
|
 |
|
The photograph above
shows that this
17-year-old already has
significant
sun damage.
|
| |
|
 |
|
This 37-year-old woman
has subsurface sun
damage, which is clearly
visible
in the photo on the
right. |
| |
|
 |
|
At 52, this woman has
"prematurely aged" skin
in visible light and
significantly
sun-damaged skin in
ultraviolet light. |
| |
|
 |
|
This 64-year-old beach
community resident has
skin that chronicles a
lifetime of
chronic sun exposure.
UV photography is not
necessary to see that
her skin is
dry, inelastic,
wrinkled, and heavily
mottled.
(Photos provided
courtesy of David H.
McDaniel, M.D.) |
|
|
|
The Solution:
Avoidance, Prevention,
Protection and Correction
Avoidance
The best way to prevent Sun Damage
is to
avoid deliberate tanning,
including use of
indoor tanning
devices.
Certainly it is important to
stay out of the sun
between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m., when the sun’s rays are
the strongest.
Prevention
Antioxidant Products:
A number of products now carry
topical antioxidants which markedly
prevent the damaging effect of
free radicals produced by UVA
radiation. These are Vitamin
C, Ferrulic Acid, Copper, Green Tea
and the newest kid on the block
Phloretin. These products
offer almost 100% "real time"
protection against the free radical
damage caused by UVA radiation and
even prevent some of the burning and
erythema.
Phloretin
CF™
C E
Ferulic®
Neova® Antioxidant Serum
DNA
Repair Formula
Protection
Protective Clothing:
One method of protection we often
don't consider is the wearing of
protective clothing such as
wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves.
A number of companies offer lines of
sports wear and other clothing which
are designed to offer superior UV
protection. Umbrellas
and other items help to shield us
such as UV shields on our Car and
Home Windows. See
Several Links
Below.
Sunscreens and Sunblocks:
Sunscreens and sunblocks should be
worn year round and even on cloudy days as UVA still
penetrates almost 100%. Sunscreen should be
broad spectrum (offers UVA and UVB
protection) and have a Sun
Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or
higher. Sunscreen should be
applied 20 minutes before going
outdoors to all skin that will
be exposed. It should be
reapplied after sweating or
being in water.
It is important to
realize that the SPF of a Product applies only to the UVB
protection, not to the UVA protection. We recommend
the SkinCeutical Line of Sun Protection products. Each
of them has both UVB Protection SPF 20 or Greater and UVA
protection. UVA Protection comes specifically from
zinc oxide, Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide or
the newest kid on the block ecamsule (Mexoryl).
Sunscreen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sport UV
Defense SPF 45
Ultimate
UV Defense SPF 30
Physical
UV Defense SPF 30
Daily Sun
Defense SPF 20
Active UV Defense SPF 15
Mexoyrl and Avobenzone for UVA
Protection
High Intensity DNA Repair +
SPF 30
Ti-Silc® GT™ SPF 60+
Water resistant for 8 hours
Prevention, Protection and
Correction
Antioxidant and DNA Repair Products:
A line of products produced by
Remergent has been developed which has the ability to repair
DNA Damage virtually as it occurs and to facilitate repair
of old DNA damage as well. This is really remarkable
technology and prescription version of this product
(Dimercine)
may help prevent skin cancer by
repairing DNA damage in
Xeroderma Pigmentosum
and post organ transplant patients.
DNA
Repair Formula
Correction
The above products are effective
if used consistently and over a period of time and they
should be the cornerstone of your Skin Care Program. A
variety of light and laser procedures are beneficial and can
provide fairly however much more rapid resolution of some of
the many undesirable changes of photo aging. These
include Intense Pulsed Light and Pixel Laser Resurfacings
and Diamond Microdermabrasion. Our
"Mini
Extreme Makeover"
combines all of these procedures in
a very reasonably priced package. In addition the
topical retinoids have a role in correction of photoaging.
Our recommendation:
Use Skinceutical CE Ferrulic alternating with Phloretin CF
daily along with one of the SkinCeutical Sunscreen/Sunblock
Products. If you are going to be in the water consider the
Procyte SPF 60 water resistant product. For more
complete protection and to repair some of the damage present
use the Remergent DNA Repair Serum and their Moisturizer
Daily also. If you want quicker resolution of your sun
damaged skin consider one or more of the
"Mini
Extreme Makeover" Programs.
The
Skin Cancer Foundation - 2008 Skin Cancer Facts
The
Skin Cancer Foundation - 2008 Skin Cancer Facts
New Rating for Sunscreens and Sunblocks
on the Way
In August 2007, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a new rating
system for sunscreens that would, for the first time, alert
consumers as to how well the sunscreen blocks dangerous
ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Currently, most consumer brand
sunscreens only screen out ultraviolet B rays (UVB), not UVA,
which is associated with longer and more serious damage deep
within the skin.
The
new rating would be in
addition to the SPF, or
sun protection factor,
already on sunscreens.
It will be called "extra
UVA protection".
According to the FDA,
the new labeling rules
will only likely go into
effect in 2009 at the
earliest.
The
proposed rating system
for UVA sunscreens would
rate them on a scale of
one to four stars. If a
sunscreen does not have
at least one star of
protection, the FDA
would require that the
sunscreen have a "no UVA
protection" marking on
the label near the SPF
value.
2007 Sunscreen Proposed Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
has proposed a new regulation that sets standards for
formulating, testing and labeling over-the-counter (OTC)
sunscreen drug products with ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.
Artificial Tanning, Sun Tanning Beds and Products
Tanning bed From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
A tanning bed or sunbed is
a device emitting ultraviolet radiation
(typically 95% UVA and 5% UVB, +/-3%) used
to produce a cosmetic tan. The lower
concentration of UVB lessens the chance of a
sunburn but there is considerable UVA
exposure which causes Melanoma and
Photoaging of the skin.
The association of use of
sunbeds with cutaneous
malignant melanoma and other
skin cancers: A systematic
review
International Journal of
Cancer
The
International Agency for
Research on Cancer Working
Group on artificial
ultraviolet (UV) light and
skin cancer
Volume 120 Issue 5, Pages 1116 - 1122
Published Online:
27 Nov 2006
The
International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC)
assessed the available
evidence relating to the
health effects of the
use of artificial
ultraviolet (UV)
radiation through the
use of indoor tanning
facilities. The IARC
working group reached
what it called "a number
of clear conclusions."
-
When
people use indoor
tanning beds for the
first time during
their teens and 20s,
their risk for
melanoma increases
by 75 percent.
-
The
risk of squamous
cell skin cancer
also increases among
people who first use
indoor tanning beds
as teenagers.
-
The
use of tanning beds
also seems to
adversely affect the
skin's immune
response and
possibly that of the
eyes, leading to an
increased risk for
both skin and eye
cancer.
-
Indoor UV exposure
does not provide any
positive health
benefits
PEDIATRICS
Vol. 121 No. 5 May 2008, pp.
1040-1042
Sophie J.
Balk, MDa
HEALTH
Articles
Promoting the health
benefits of UV rays is "like
recommending smoking to
reduce stress," said Dr. Len
Lichtenfeld, deputy
medical director of the
American Cancer Society.
Doctors
fight back against claims
that tanning is healthy.
Worries about cancer and 'tanorexics.'
By Pat
Wingert | NEWSWEEK
May
19, 2008 Issue
Despite objections from the indoor tanning industry, dermatologists present more evidence that there's no such thing as a healthy tan.
With skin cancer rates soaring, health advocates are stepping up efforts to warn teens of the dangers of sun exposure. Is the message getting through?
By Karen Springen | Newsweek Web Exclusive
The UV Index
What
Is the UV Index Good Description
The ozone layer shields the
Earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion, as well as
seasonal and weather variations, causes different amounts of
UV radiation to reach the Earth at any given time. The UV
Index is a daily forecast at noon of the UV radiation levels
people might experience. The Index predicts the next day's
levels on a 0 to 11+ scale, helping people determine
appropriate sun protection behaviors.
How is the
UV Index Calculated?
Check the 6 day
UV History and Forecast for the United States!
EPA UV
Index Scale
11+ Extreme
A UV Index reading of 11+ means
extreme risk of harm from unprotected
sun exposure. Minimize sun exposure
during midday hours, from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at
least 15 liberally every 2 hours: |
|
8 to 10: Very High
A UV Index reading of 8 to 10 means
very high risk of harm from unprotected
sun exposure. Minimize sun exposure
during midday hours, from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Protect yourself by liberally
applying a sunscreen with an SPF of at
least 15. Wear protective clothing and
sunglasses to protect the eyes: |
|
6 to 7: High
A UV Index reading of 6 to 7 means
high risk of harm from unprotected sun
exposure. Apply a sunscreen with a SPF
of at least 15. Wear a wide-brim hat and
sunglasses to protect your eyes: |
|
3 to 5: Moderate
A UV Index reading of 3 to 5 means
moderate risk of harm from unprotected
sun exposure |
|
2 or less: Low
A UV Index reading of 2 or less means
low danger from the sun's UV rays for
the average person: |
|
EPA
Sunwise Program. Calculates UV Index
daily for zip codes.
National Weather Service UV Index Map Of USA.
Eye Protection
The
eyes are affected mostly by the UVB rays, so wear a good
pair of sunglasses.
High intensities of
UVB light are hazardous to the eyes, and exposure can
cause welder's flash (photokeratitis or arc eye)
and may
lead to cataracts, pterygium, and pinguecula
formation.
Protective eyewear is
beneficial to those who are working with or those who
might be exposed to ultraviolet radiation, particularly
short wave UV. Given that light may reach the
eye from the sides, full coverage
eye protection is usually warranted if there is an
increased risk of exposure as in high altitude
mountaineering. Mountaineers are exposed to higher than
ordinary levels of UV radiation, both because there is
less atmospheric filtering and because of reflection
from snow and ice.
Ordinary eyeglasses
give some protection, and most plastic lenses give more
protection than glass lenses. Some plastic lens
materials, such as polycarbonate, block most UV. There
are protective treatments available for eyeglass lenses
that need it to give better protection. Most
intraocular lenses help to protect the retina by
absorbing UV radiation.
People should wear
sunglasses to protect
their eyes against ultraviolet rays
produced by sunlight in addition to
fashion
appeal.
Exposure to radiation from sunlight
has been associated with the
development of cataracts,
age-related macular degeneration and
cancer among other diseases. Few
people are aware that macular
degeneration is an incurable eye
disease and is the leading cause of
blindness for those aged 55 and
older in the United States.
We Carry or can order these
for you!
 OveRxCast
Polarized Sunglasses
Item Catalog Number:
00747
$25.00
For those who desire the added benefit of lenses
that reduce distracting glare, Life Extension’s new
OveRxCast sunglasses come
with polarized gray lenses
that provide natural color definition with 100% UV
protection. Like the SolarShield®
sunglasses, OveRxCast polarized
sunglasses are designed to be worn over your
prescription eyeglasses. |
 Solarshield®
Sunglasses
Item Catalog
Number:
00657
$13.00
Solarshields® block solar radiation in three ways:
- A unique top shield blocks
direct overhead sun rays (like a brimmed hat).
- Wide side shields screen
out peripheral sun rays while permitting
protected side vision.
- A patented polycarbonate
lens filters out 100% of UV sunlight.
Solarshields® provide more
protection than conventional sunglasses and can be
worn over most prescription eyeglasses. Solarshields
are rated as 100% UV protected. |
Other Links,
Official Agencies, Protective Clothing etc
WHO | The known health effects of UV
Nice review by the WHO on the effects of
UV on our bodies.
THE SUN, UV, AND YOU:
A Guide to the UV Index and
Sun-Safe Behavior
Sun Safety: Save Your Skin!
FDA Safety Site
|
Ultra Violet Ray
Monitors |
 |
Tanita Ultraviolet Monitor
detects both ultraviolet A rays and ultraviolet B
rays which are both linked to sunburn, accelerated
skin aging, and skin cancer |
Physical Protection Clothing for Sun Protection
This kind of clothing
usually blocks 98% of ALL UVA and UVB!!
