Sunburns Can Cause Skin Cancer

People go on diets to fix their body, but then lay out in the sun and forget about their skin.

Ultraviolet rays hitting the skin in excessive amounts can cause an inflammatory process. The skin can be from just slightly red and warm to developing blisters from a burn.

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the major causes of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It begins in the epidermis from cells that are deep within. The tumor can vary from pink to pale, or brown and can be either raised or flat in texture. This type of skin cancer is usually very treatable.

Squamous cell carcinoma is skin cancer that originates in the keratin producing cells of the outmost layer of skin. This skin cancer has signs such as the tumor being raised and firm and colors varying from flesh-colored to a pinkish color. It usually has a dry rough look to it also. It is curable if detected and treated early enough but does have the ability to spread throughout the body.

Melanoma is not a very common form of skin cancer but is probably about the deadliest. It originates from cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin. According to http://skindisease.suite101.com there are three ways to remember what Melanoma may look like: "A" for asymmetry, "B" for (irregular) border, "C" for color that is not the same throughout, and "D" for (increasing) diameter. If you notice any or all of these signs in a mole, see your doctor immediately.

All of these can be caused by what you may consider a simple sunburn.

Now if you do not wish to have to deal with any of these cancers, prevention is your best "friend". Using an sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can help protect you. However, now there are reports of some dangers with the usage of sunscreens.

Lower SPF sunscreens and baby oil will not protect you. Also, it has never been proven that sunscreen will protect you from melanomas or carcinomas at all. They will help protect you from getting an extreme sunburn.

If you have ever read the ingredients in sunscreens you might think you are reading a list of toxic chemicals. Well, actually that is what it is. A Zinc oxide based sunscreen is a little safer.

Now if you happen to get a sunburn, aloe vera is a "miracle" plant. Simply rub pure aloe vera gel (if you can find it...check with your local pharmacy) on your skin after sun exposure. There is no proof it will help prevent skin cancer, but it will help heal a burn faster.

Now if you just have to have that tan this summer, make sure to start out slowly. Build up a tolerance to the sun. In other words, start with around 15 to 20 minutes of exposure and work your way up. The maximum that anyone should stay in the sun is 45 minutes to 1 hour without being covered (and not just with sunscreen). Make sure to take an umbrella if you are going to the beach or pool since there is little or no shade.

So, if you really want to keep healthy skin, do not overexpose it to the sun.

Source(s):

http://skindisease.suite101.com

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com