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This week we have been fortunate enough to have high school student Madeleine Brennan assisting us in the office. In addition to shadowing during Dr. Carters’ procedures, Madeleine gave a great presentation on sunscreen that we are happy to share here. Madeleine will soon be graduating from the Potomac School to attend Columbia University majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation Madeleine, we wish you all the best! 

 

Sunscreen 

Presented by Madeleine Brennan, Year 12, Potomac School

The main purpose of sunscreen is to protect the skin against UV radiation from the sun. There are two different types of sunscreen: physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens reflect UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb them.

Sunscreens are measured using SPF, or sun protection factor. SPF measures the fraction of UV radiation that reaches the skin through the sunscreen. For example, a sunscreen rated SPF 15 will allow 1/15th of UV rays to reach the skin.

Regularly wearing sunscreen helps to prevent malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, three types of skin cancer. In addition, sunscreen helps to slow or temporarily prevent the development of wrinkles and sagging skin.

There are two different types of UV radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB radiation has a shorter wage length, which makes it more intense. UV radiation damages the skin’s cellular DNA, which produces genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer.

UVA radiation makes up 95% of UV waves on earth and is present with relatively equal intensity during daylight hours, regardless of time of day, season, location, and weather. UVA waves travel through both clouds and glass. UVA waves also penetrate both the epidermis and the dermis, the top two layers of skin. They cause tanning and skin cancer.

As opposed to UVA waves, UVB waves barely penetrate the dermis, the second layer of skin. Its intensity varies greatly by season, location, and time of day. UVB waves are the main contributor to skin reddening and sunburns, and they cause skin cancer and tanning.

Since UVB waves cause sunburns, many sunscreens only block UVB waves. However, to help prevent skin cancer and the signs of aging, it is important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.

 

Sources:

https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell.html