A tan could be dangerous

Thousands of tourists from colder climates flock to Dubai and the UAE to enjoy the warm weather, laze on the beaches and acquire a golden tan.

On any given day, there will be hundreds of people on the sands baking themselves brown; you can even see children with their faces turning bright red from the sun.

The sun is an important source of Vitamin D and without this essential organic compound, our bones would turn brittle, lose their strength and break easily. (Ultra violet (UV) rays of the sun are mainly needed for the production of Vitamin D).

But exposing yourself to the sun for extended periods of time is dangerous, especially for those with white skin. “The worst time is between 11am-3pm for those with Skin Type 1,” says Dr Syed A. Shah, consultant dermatologist, American Hospital, Dubai.

Dermatologists have developed a number system to describe various types of skin. Knowing the type of skin is important not only to understand the risk of skin cancer, but also about how it responds to cosmetics.

The lower the number of the skin type, the lesser the melanin present in the skin. Melanin provides natural protection to the skin and the less melanin in the skin, the more it burns easily and higher the risk of cancer from the exposure.

A golden suntan may look healthy but it is a sign that the skin is already harmed by UV radiation and is trying to defend itself against further damage.

According to Dr Shah, Skin Type 1 burns easily and does not tan. It starts to turn red and blister if exposed to the sun for long periods of time, and has to heal itself later. If this cycle continues with regular exposure to the sun, the risks of skin cancer are much higher, he says.

The majority of people he treats at his clinic are people with Skin Type 1.

The American Hospital recently marked the annual skin cancer awareness month by advising the community on the health benefits and risks of sun exposure on the skin.

Recent research in the UK has suggested that the benefits of sun exposure - such as Vitamin D production and claims of lowering of blood pressure - outweigh the risks of skin problems associated with exposure to sunlight, such as skin cancer, changes in pigmentation and premature ageing of the skin.

Every year, skin cancer kills more than 2,500 people in the UK alone and its most deadly form, malignant melanoma, is now the second-most common cancer among young people.

Skin cancer can also occur on parts of the body not exposed to sunlight, but UV radiation causes sunburn, and there is high risk of basal cell carcinoma, another type of skin cancer.

The skin is one of the largest organs of the body and has many functions. It acts as a barrier from the environment, is a temperature regulator, an immune organ to detect infections, a sensory organ to detect temperature, touch, vibration, and a visible signal for social communication. The general condition of the skin reflects a person’s general health and can indicate bad habits such as smoking, which causes premature ageing and wrinkling.

Presence of a number of moles on the skin, says Dr Shah, (especially for Type 1 and Type 2 skin people. See box) have to be careful about exposing themselves to the sun. The other thing to watch out for is a family history and genetic predisposition to cancer. The other group that is at a high risk of skin cancer is those who have undergone chemotherapy.

An interesting fact not that well known is then men should be careful of exposing their backs to the sun, and women, the back of their legs, says the doctor.

According to the American Cancer Society, frequent sun burns have linked the development of melanoma on the trunk (chest and back) and legs.

Melanoma in these areas is said to be different from those on the face and neck, which are exposed to the sun more often.

Tanning beds, the popular fad among many people, particularly among young and teenage women, is best avoided says Dr Shah. According to him, they should be banned. “Younger skin is more delicate,” he says, in context of the number of teens who opt for this treatment.

Another warning he delivers is regarding a gel manicure. The procedure, he says, involves long minutes of exposure to the UV lamp. Though this treatment is popular because the nail polish lasts longer and is less likely to chip, this type of manicure can cause skin cancer as UV lamps are required to dry the polish. If women must undergo this during a manicure, he advises them to cover their hands with a sun block to protect their skin.

If caught early, skin cancer is treatable, says Dr Shah. He advises checking your skin on your arms and legs once a month. If there is any new lesion on the skin or if a mole changes size and colour, consult your doctor.