The Sun and Your Skin >>Risk
PERSONAL RISK
Certain personal characteristics make you more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Having one or more of these personal risk factors increases your risk of skin damage, including skin cancer.
Fair skin
People with fair skin have less melanin, the pigment that gives the skin color. When exposed to the sun, your skin reacts by producing melanin as a way to protect itself from further damage. Instead of tanning, fair skinned individuals tend to burn when exposed to too much sun.
Light colored hair (blonde, red, or light brown) and eyes (blue, green).
Often people with fair skin also have the physical characteristics of light colored hair and eyes. People with light colored eyes are particularly vulnerable as they are more susceptible to retinal damage and cataracts as a result of overexposure to the sun.
Family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
People are at greater risk of developing melanoma if one or more of their first degree relatives (mother, father, sister, brother, child) have had melanoma.
Have lots of moles, irregular or large moles
- Typically, people do not have any moles at birth. Moles develop on the skin during childhood as a result of sun exposure.
- People with lots of moles or large moles have a greater risk for developing
melanoma.
Have a history of severe sunburns, especially during childhood
- Sunburns are signs that serious damage has been done to the skin cells.
- Studies have shown that as few as two severe sunburns before the age
of 18 can double a person’s chances for developing skin cancer.
Take photosensitizing medications
- Certain medications can make skin and eyes more sensitive to sunlight. Individuals taking photosensitizing medications may experience negative reactions when exposed to too much of the sun’s UV light.
- Not everyone will react to the same medications, and the degree of the negative reactions will vary from person to person.
- Examples of photosensitizing drugs include: acne medicines, antibiotics, antihistamines, oral contraceptives and sulfa drugs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
Where you live and what you do are two other factors that determine your risk for sun damage and skin cancer.
You Live or Vacation at High Altitude Locations:
- At higher altitudes there is less atmosphere to filter out the sun’s dangerous UV rays. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, you are exposed to 5% more UV radiation.
- Consider that when skiing or snowboarding on your favorite mountain you are typically at 8,000 feet (or even higher!) above sea level. That means you are exposed to 40% more UV radiation!
You Enjoy Outdoor Recreational Sports, Particularly Those on Water or Snow:
Water and snow can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s UV rays back at you!
You Spend A Lot of Time Outdoors:
- During mid-day the sun is positioned directly overhead. Consequently, from the hours of 10-3, the sun’s UV rays are more direct and intense thus increasing your risk for sun damage.
- On a typical ski day you are on the slopes from 9am – 4pm and thus, receiving a full dose of UV exposure during peak hours.
You Live in a Location That Has Lots of Clear, Sunny Days Throughout the Year:
- Continuous exposure to the sun’s UV rays is a major contributor to sun damage and greatly increases your risk for skin cancer.
- If you live in a climate that is sunny year-round you must protect your skin everyday!
You Live or Vacation in Locations That Are Close to the Equator:
- Due to the angle of the sun, the sun’s UV rays are more direct and intense near the equator.
- People who live at low latitudes (near the equator) receive more intense UVR exposure than people who live at higher latitudes (away from the equator.)
SOURCES
1. American Cancer Society
2. American Academy of Dermatology
3. Mahidol University – www.mahidol.ac.th/mahidol/sc/sclg/sun.htm
