Note: this is a republication of an old article in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month 2024. To learn more about this important month beyond DermaTeens' content, visithttps://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/.
DermaTeens is committed to health equity, which entails addressing cultural and lingual barriers. In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we are translating some of our skin cancer prevention resources into Spanish, like our medically-reviewed articles.
ESP.
Escrito por: Harati Adhikari
El verano es una época estupenda para salir y pasar innumerables horas al aire libre y al sol. Sin embargo, con este tipo de actividades, la mayoría de nosotros podemos olvidarnos de usar productos de protección solar, y eso puede provocar numerosos problemas en la piel. Estos problemas surgen cuando los rayos del sol entran en contacto con la superficie de la piel y dañan el ADN.
Hay dos tipos de rayos ultravioleta emitidos por el sol que llegan a la superficie terrestre. Cada uno tiene diferentes características que los diferencian unos de otros.
Rayos UVA
Los rayos UVA se componen de longitudes de onda de entre 320 y 400 nanómetros.
Estos rayos son los responsables del fotoenvejecimiento de la piel (arrugas, pérdida de elasticidad, flacidez, etc.)
Las camas de los salones de bronceado emiten rayos UVA a tasas extremadamente altas
Los rayos UVA son ligeramente menos intensos que los UVB, pero seguramente pueden atravesar la superficie de la piel más profundamente. Esta exposición causa daño genético en las células de la piel, lo que puede aumentar el envejecimiento prematuro.
Estos rayos están relacionados con el desarrollo de cáncer de piel
Para evitar daños mayores, el cuerpo responde creando el pigmento melanina, que tiene un SPF estimado de 1 a 4.
Rayos UVB
Los rayos UVB se componen de longitudes de onda de entre 280 y 320 nanómetros.
Estos rayos dañan las capas más externas de la piel y provocan quemaduras y ampollas.
Estos rayos contribuyen al desarrollo del cáncer de piel, al igual que los rayos UVA.
Cada protector solar tiene un número de SPF que indica qué tan protector es el protector solar contra los rayos UVB. Cuanto mayor sea el número de SPF, más tiempo tardará la piel en quemarse si el protector solar se usa de manera óptima.
La intensidad de los rayos UVB no se limita sólo al verano; Estos rayos, similares a los rayos UVA, aparecen durante todo el año con distintos niveles de intensidad. De hecho, las condiciones de la nieve y el hielo son ejemplos de cuando los rayos UVB y UVA pueden reflejarse y entrar en contacto con la piel.
De manera similar a los rayos UVA, los rayos UVB producen melanina para intentar contrarrestar el daño de los rayos UV.
La melanina de la piel absorbe los rayos tanto como sea posible. Dicho esto, la melanina no tiene un factor SPF alto y no puede proteger a uno de los impactos dañinos de los rayos UVA y UVB.
Cómo protegerse mejor del sol
Intente usar protector solar que tenga un factor SPF de al menos 30.
Opte por un SPF de amplio espectro o una etiqueta SPF PA para asegurarse de que su protector solar lo proteja de los rayos UVA y UVB. Para obtener más información sobre los protectores solares, visite nuestro artículo Conceptos básicos de las botellas de protector solar.
Trate de evitar la exposición al sol entre las horas pico de 10:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m.
Si nota un cambio anormal en su piel, consulte a un médico lo antes posible, ya que podría ser un signo de cáncer de piel.
Aplicar protector solar antes de salir. La reaplicación es muy importante, así que trate de hacerlo cada 2 horas, especialmente si está al aire libre.
Use ropa UPF
Evite en la medida de lo posible la radiación ultravioleta del sol sin protección; Este proceso es importante incluso cuando te quedas en casa porque los rayos pueden penetrar a través de las ventanas.
Fuente de Imagen: Medical Center of Marin
Referencias:
Image Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)“Sun Safety.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 8 Aug. 2021, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sun-safety. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
“UV Radiation.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2 July 2019, https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
“What Is the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays?” University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 2 July 2016, https://uihc.org/health-topics/what-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
ENG.
Written by: Harati Adhikari
Summer is a great time to go out and spend countless hours in the fresh air and sunlight. However, with such activities, most of us can forget to use sun protection products, and that can result in numerous skin problems. These issues arise when the sun’s rays come into contact with the skin’s surface and damage DNA.
There are two types of ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun that reach the Earth’s surface. They each have different characteristics that differentiate them from one another.
UVA Rays
UVA rays are made up of wavelengths that are about 320- 400 nanometers long.
These rays are responsible for skin photoaging (wrinkles, the loss of elasticity, sagging, and more)
Tanning salon beds emit UVA rays at extremely high rates
UVA rays are slightly less intense than UVB but can surely go through your skin’s surface more deeply. This exposure causes genetic damage in skin cells, which can increase premature aging
These rays are linked to skin cancer development
To prevent further damage, the body responds by creating the pigment melanin, which has an estimated SPF of 1-4
UVB Rays
UVB rays are made up of wavelengths that are about 280-320 nanometers long.
These rays damage the outermost layers of your skin, leading to burns and blisters
These rays contribute to skin cancer development, just like UVA rays
Every sunscreen has an SPF number which tells you how protective the sunscreen is against UVB rays. The higher the SPF number is, the longer amount of time it takes for the skin to burn if the sunscreen is used optimally
The intensity of UVB rays is not limited to just the summertime; these rays, similar to UVA rays, appear year-long with varying levels of intensity. In fact, snow and ice conditions are examples of when UVB and UVA rays can reflect and come in contact with skin
Similarly to UVA rays, UVB rays produce melanin to attempt to counteract UV damage
The melanin in one’s skin absorbs the rays as much as possible. With that being said, melanin does not have a high SPF factor and cannot protect one from the harmful impacts of UVA and UVB rays
How to best protect yourself from the Sun
Try wearing sunscreen that has an SPF factor of at least 30
Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF or an SPF PA label to be sure that your sunscreen protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, For more information on sunscreens, visit our Sunscreen Bottle Basics article
Try to avoid sun exposure between peak hours of 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
If you notice an abnormal change in your skin, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, as it could be a sign of skin cancer.
Apply sunscreen before going out. Reapplication is very important, so try to reapply about every 2 hours, especially if you are outdoors.
Wear UPF clothing
Avoid the sun’s UV radiation unprotected as much as possible; this process is important even when you stay at home because rays can penetrate through windows.
Image Source: Medical Center of Marin
References:
Image Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)“Sun Safety.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 8 Aug. 2021, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sun-safety. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
“UV Radiation.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2 July 2019, https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
“What Is the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays?” University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 2 July 2016, https://uihc.org/health-topics/what-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.
Disclaimer: This organization's content is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this website should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.
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