With the arrival of summer, the heat and long hours of exposure to the sun on the beach and on terraces, protecting yourself from ultraviolet rays is a fundamental and indispensable task. This is what all dermatologists and advertising campaigns that raise awareness about skin cancers recommend.
In Lanzarote, based on data from 2022, the number of skin cancer cases has increased. "For some time we have seen about 80 or 90 cases," he listed. Looking back, exactly 90, the doctor pointed out, "there were very small numbers, 7 or 8 a year," he added. Nationally, cases continue to increase.
Aware of the need to increase skin self-care, La Voz has asked Juan Antonio Cejudo, one of the best-known dermatologists in Lanzarote, in order to get the message across to the entire population of Lanzarote.
The professional has stressed that it is a priority to have awareness of the proper application of sun protection, especially at an early age, in the case of children. Regarding some of the age groups that do not have this healthy practice so internalized, the doctor has remarked that "it is much more difficult to get the message across to adolescents". A message that can only penetrate society through education. "Skin cancer is prevented with education", he added.
"Skin cancer is prevented with education," Cejudo pointed out
The difficulties for adolescents to understand the great importance of protecting themselves from the sun are based on the long-term effects. "They are told that in 30, 40 or 50 years they may have a very significant risk of suffering from cancer." One of the reasons why they do not see the "problem" in the short term and ignore health recommendations.
According to the doctor, what has been scientifically proven is that "solar exposure is much more harmful in childhood and adolescence", and clarifies to readers that "people who abuse the sun at those ages will almost certainly have cancerous problems."
Protection at work, in Chile, where there is significant solar radiation, Labor Inspectors check that workers protect themselves from the sun and if not, they are fined. In Australia, you are fined for being on the beach without sun protection, just like the seat belt.
Physical and chemical sunscreens
The dermatologist from Lanzarote has explained the main steps that should be taken when exposed to the sun. "You have to avoid the sun between ten and five in the afternoon," he stressed, and also use a "good sunscreen that is higher than factor 30" and apply it "20 or 30 minutes before" sunbathing. The key to not getting burned is to repeat it every three hours, after going through the water or lying on the sand.
The doctor has detailed the two types of sun protection that can be used to avoid the effects of exposure: physical and chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens (capsules), which neutralize ultraviolet radiation, are specific for people who have previous and serious skin problems, such as in the case of elderly people. "They are used to repair the damage, for more damaged skin" by the sun. Physical sunscreens, responsible for dispersing ultraviolet light, such as sunscreen, are more focused on children or adolescents. The specialist has made it clear to readers that "there is no perfect sunscreen", but it is a good ally to "help" prevent skin cancer, like the seat belt in the car.
"There is no perfect sunscreen, but it helps prevent skin cancer"
In the case of pregnant women, Cejudo has pointed out, it is recommended to apply physical sunscreen. "You have to avoid chemicals, which are absorbed and can be harmful to the fetus." For athletes, he has advised that they should use "systemic medication", such as those containing beta-carotene or lexitin. The ideal to be well protected is to "play with sunscreens" and apply them according to the type of radiation, some "work better for Beta and others for UV-A".
Clothing is also a fundamental element that helps with that protection, such as a hat, a cap or sunglasses. The dermatologist has also highlighted the importance of colors in clothing. "Colored clothing has more protection than white clothing, with denim fabric winning with almost 100%".
For physical protection with the hat and the appropriate clothing, it is already good, already in countries where there is a high incidence of skin cancer as in the United States and Australia, clothing is even sold with solar control, and even here the fashion has also arrived in sports stores, clothing with sun protection for cyclists, people who hike, who work outdoors, farmers and fishermen. And he emphasizes that colored clothing has more protection than white clothing, for example, it has a protector of 15, compared to denim which is almost 100%.
Types of effects caused by the sun
The main effects that begin to be noticed with sun abuse are the well-known spots that appear on the skin. Marks that can be given as erythema, in an acute process, which produce a reddening of the skin, which causes it to begin to peel around 24 hours. There are also small pigmented spots on the skin called lentigos, produced by an increase in the number of melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for synthesizing the pigment that provides the tanned tone: melanin. Another effect of the sun is hyperkeratosis on the skin, which appears on the face, lips, ears, forearms or scalp. "The skin becomes drier," Cejudo pointed out.
"It has been scientifically proven that sunscreen prevents skin cancer and helps reduce skin aging"
Another of the best-known cancers is melanoma, the "most harmful" tumor of the skin, usually caused by intermittent solar radiation and acute exposure. "It happens to the typical person who is on vacation and is exposed to a lot of sun after spending the year in closed places", he detailed. Genetics can also lead to developing a family menaloma, with a hereditary basis, although, in Cejudo's words, the "vast majority" of cases play an "acquired" role due to excessive exposure to the sun.
Melanoma can manifest externally, but also internally. The doctor has shown some of the internal effects in which this type of cancer can be found, such as at the ocular level, with cataracts or gastric. In this case, preventive detection check-ups are "fundamental".
Being tanned, a matter of aesthetics and fashion
One of the concerns that is most related to the need to sunbathe and skin cancer is aesthetics. In the middle of 2024 and in Spain, being tanned is a "sign of beauty", Cejudo has remarked. Getting tanned skin has become a custom. "Being tanned is a matter of fashion," the dermatologist pointed out.
Although he recognizes that sunbathing is also beneficial for people, "it hurts us dermatologists", it is something proven by many studies. "It increases survival, produces well-being and helps the mood", he stressed. The most important thing is to take it being aware of "avoiding great excesses" and finding a "balance".
Another of the positive aspects of the sun, in the case of the Canary archipelago, is that it is part of the daily life of residents and people who visit the islands. "Here we live from the sun, it is a source of tourism," Cejudo concluded.
"The sun also produces well-being, although it hurts us dermatologists"
