Based on the history of sun tanning, the ancient Greeks were first people to adopt an idea of sunbathing or sun tanning. For many centuries, Sumerians, Greeks and Romans believed that it looked more attractive and healthier once they had used to tan their skin. Helios was the Roman God of Sun. That was the term they called it as heliotherapy as therapeutic exposure to Sun which it is still used today.
In other ancient societies many cultures identified skin color with status so some people avoided sun in order to avoid pigmentation. Dark skin was identified as the role of the servant or working class while paler skin as upper class. During the 10th century, skin whitening was popular. Many women had tried extreme ways to keep their skin more whiter for status purposes.
In the 20th century, people's attitudes had changed to accept sun tanning as they began enjoying outdoors. Thanks to the French fashion frenzy, a famous model, Coco Channel had tanned her skin in her own fashion.
Did you remember the girl in Coppertone poster? Two piece bathing suits were introduced and became popular as bikini in 1940s.
Until 1970s, sun tanning salons were introduced so people are able to tan their skin indoor or outside.
First Suntan Lotion:
The ancient Greeks used olive oil as suntan lotion but it was ineffective. After some attempts to develop suntan cream or lotion had been failed, one inventor, Benjamin Greene who worked as pharmacist tested a red color petroleum like vaseline on the bottom of his wife's tea kettle and tried on his bald head but it was ineffective and took a long way toward a better lotion. In 1938, the Swiss chemistry student, Franz Greiter who had sun burn from the mountains developed a first sunscreen cream. Today Glacier cream has been around in stores with a SPF of 2.
Ultraviolet Radiation:
The sun emits different types of radiation:
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White light or sunlight that we can see
Heat, warmth or infrared radiation that we can feel
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we cannot see or feel |
UV radiation is similar to X-rays as called the electromagnetic spectrum involving wavelength and frequency in forms of energy. Three wavelengths of UV radiation are UVA (320 - 400), UVB (290 - 320) and UVC (100 - 290). The only two UVA and UVB
rays reach the earth's surface except UVC that doesn't but is absorbed or scattered into the atmosphere.
UVA & UVB cause skin cancer. Three main skin cancers are as follows:
Basil Cell Carcinoma (BCC):
Most common and least dangerous form of skin cancer can be found on the sun-exposed parts: head, neck, ears, face, hands, legs or chest. The appearance is like flattened round lump or flaky spot that may show pale or red color on the top layer of skin as tumor.
Over 1 million Americans every year had been affected by BCC. |
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC):
Less common but most dangerous than basil cell carcinoma as second most common can be found on the head, neck, face, hands, legs or chest. The appearance is like thickened, red, scaly spot that may bleed, crust or grow over some time and spread to other parts of the body and also, possible to lymph nodes and organs of inside body if not treated properly.
In the U.S., there are over 250,000 new cases every year with SCC. |
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Melanoma:
Mostly deadly form of skin cancer may be into two main types: common and nodular melanoma. Common melanoma is the least common but the most serious skin cancer that appears as a mole, freckle or new spot. Its appearance can change color, size or shape that may grow everywhere in the other parts of the body. If untreated, cancer cells may spread over the long period of time.
Nodular melanoma is not common but grows quickly.
Melanoma causes death if untreated. Estimated 60,000 new cases in the U.S. will happen with melanoma but it will cause 8,000 deaths every year. |
What is Sunburn?
Sunburn is a reaction to the UV radiation within 2 hours to 6 hours by burning skin into red. It will continue to develop for 24 to 72 hours. As you notice your skin peeling after being sunburned it is the body's way to get rid of damaged skin cells that may develop into skin cancer. Symptoms of sunburn causes swelling, redness, pain, and sometimes blistering. Due to an overexposure to UV rays, it causes headaches, fatigue and fever.
Risks of UV Radiation
Health Problems:
Wrinkles, Aging skin disorder (or premature aging skin), lowering immunity against infections, eye cataracts, inflammations of the cornea
Sun Exposure:
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. The time of being exposed to the sun depends on individual. No one is safe from the sun anyway.
Type of Skin:
Fair or light skinned persons are at risk than dark skinned ones. Blue color eyes, blonde or red hair are the ones to be sensitive to sun burn.
UV Index Measurement
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UVI ranges from 0 (night time or no sunlight) to 16 (under clear skies).
| Exposure Level |
| 0 to 2 |
Low |
| 3 to 5 |
Moderate |
| 6 to 7 |
High |
| 8 to 10 |
Very High |
| 11 and greater |
Extreme |
According to the NOAA/National Weather Service, Connecticut has a VRI of 7 as of July 3, 2007. Visit the VR Index depending on day by day forecast. When UVI reaches above 3, skin damage and sunburn would occur so it increases the risk of skin cancer and sun protection is required. |
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Sunscreens and Sun Creams:
There are two types of sunscreen:
Organic sunscreens: ("Absorbers") -
this is made of carbon and hydrogen. The most well-known organic sunscreen is PABA as not common for people who are allergic. PABA causes red, itchy skin. Now sunscreens are now PABA "free". This organic sunscreen contains Benzophenone or Oxybenzone. Most UV filters are organic and protective by absorbing UV rays. |
Inorganic sunscreens: ("Blockers") -
this is made of mineral or metal oxides including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as a physical barrier between the skin and the sun. Zinc oxide is similar to what lifeguards used white thick paste as the best sun block but it was not used much today. However, zinc oxide is manufactured so you cannot see white and very small microfine powders as now called Z-code. |
The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 17 ingredients but there is no standards or policy for UV sunscreen. The term, "organic" or "inorganic" may be misleading since all sunscreens are chemicals and sometimes not very effective against UVA and UVB. Sadly, the United States lags behind most of other countries; Europe, and Australia on approval with the use of ingredients for sunscreens. Europe and Australia have about 29 active ingredients with the use of sunscreens.
According to the Environmental Working Group, they found evidence in 785 brand sunscreens that may not be safe and ineffective. Find out the worst and best sunscreens at the EWG web site.
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Is sunscreen safe for children?
Why are almost all sunscreens ineffective but better than nothing to use against UV?