Skin Cancer Myths Exposed
March 30, 2009 by Liz Lewis
Filed under Exposed!, Happy Living Tip, Health
After a long, hard winter, everyone just wants to get out and catch some sun rays, feel the warm, and get a bit of color back in the skin. But while the sun makes us feel good, it’s not always the best thing for us.
With the incidence of skin cancer on the rise, it’s important to remember to stop and protect ourselves before we head out into the sun.
It’s also important to know fact from fiction when it comes to what’s good and bad about the sun.
Myth #1: Dark-skinned people are safe from sun damage and skin cancer risks.
Even though those with brown skin have lots of melanin which offers more protection against UV rays, they are more prone to moles. And abnormal moles are a major risk factor for melanoma.
Myth #2: Lip Gloss can protect the skin.
Not according to a study done by researchers from Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. They found that shiny lip balms and glosses actually attract ultraviolet rays and therefore, increase the risk of skin cancer. So best to use a non-glossy lip SPF sun block.
Myth #3: Your clothes will protect you from the sun.
No. Clothes are not effective sun protection. Therefore, it’s best to put sun block on under your clothes. Or, alternatively, wear clothes with a sun protection rating.
Myth #4 : Sunburn is more damaging than suntan
No. Both are toxic to your skin. In fact, a suntan is probably just as bad for your skin as a raw, pink sunburn is. Sun damage, by the way, is cumulative. The more damage, the greater the risk.
Myth #5: No sun, No problem.
No. With at lease 70% of all UV rays getting through the clouds, you don’t need direct sunlight to cause damage to the skin.
Almost make you wonder if you should go outside at all.
how did mankind manage to survive through the ages?!