Pharmacists Can Help Patients Keep Skin Safe in Summer

With summer just around the corner and the weather already taking a turn, it’s vital to know how to take proper care of one’s skin. The surge of outdoor activities such as swimming, sports, and tanning put people at an increased risk for skin-related dangers like sunburn and even skin cancer. At the heart of this risk are the UVA and UVB rays that penetrate through the earth’s atmosphere and into exposed skin on those hot summer days.

When differentiating between types of traditional sunscreens and recommending them to patients, pharmacists can be a great resource, due to their knowledge of the ingredients’ interactions with the skin and other drugs. In fact, the origin of sunscreen can be traced back to a pharmacist—Benjamin Green, who created the first traditional sunscreen while in the Army.

How the Sun Can Damage Skin

The most popular and widely known sun-protectant is sunscreen, but many don’t know how it works to protect the skin from the spectrum of dangerous rays in the sun: UV (ultraviolet), infrared, and visible. The most dangerous and prevalent of these radiation types is UV, which is then classified into three subcategories: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA), short wave ultraviolet B (UVB), and UVC, which doesn’t pass through the earth’s ozone layer. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays can affect the body’s immunology and cause damage directly to the cells, which can result in premature aging.

UVA rays pierce deep into the dermis, while UVB rays affect the outermost layers of the skin and pose a large risk of sunburn and the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB rays varies, but they are usually strongest on clear, sunny days, from 10am to 4pm. Habitually getting sunburn from these rays can be highly dangerous and increase the probability of developing skin cancer, so it’s important to know what to look for in sun protectants.

Using Sunscreen Properly

The most commonly recommended method of sun protection is sunscreen. With so many options from which to choose, shopping for the right product can be daunting. Pharmacists can be instrumental in helping select sunscreen agents that protect the needs of the entire family. 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 35. SPF is measured based on a sunscreen’s ability to deflect the sun’s harmful rays, and is calculated by measuring the amount of time it takes for skin to be sunburned when wearing and not wearing sunscreen. Some sunscreens are also classified as “broad spectrum,” which simply means that they also protect from UVA rays as well as UVB, since UVA rays don’t cause sunburn and protection against them isn’t measurable through SPF. 

In addition to the broad spectrum category, sunscreens can also be classified as chemical and physical. Physical sunscreens use mineral ingredients that sit on top of the skin and work to deflect the sun’s rays. These sunscreens are valuable since they innately protect against UVA rays, take effect immediately, and are less likely to irritate the skin. They are not water resistant, however, and may need to be reapplied frequently. Alternatively, chemical sunscreens are derived from organic (carbon-based) ingredients. Instead of deflecting UV rays, they cause a chemical reaction that converts the rays into heat. Chemical sunscreens are lighter and spread easily on the skin, though they have a higher risk of irritation, and take at least 20 minutes to take effect.           

Since many outdoor summer activities involve water, it’s important to seek out sunscreens that are listed as water resistant. These sunscreens should be reapplied after anywhere from 40 to 80 minutes of exposure to water, such as after swimming or sweating, and also after drying the body with a towel. It is recommended that one ounce of sunscreen be applied to all areas of the body exposed to the sun. Sunscreen also should be applied every two hours, and at least fifteen minutes before going out into the sun. The FDA recommends using sunscreen every day, regardless of the season or weather, as cloudy days no not mean an absence of UV rays.

Unfortunately, physicians often see patients after the sun has already inflicted its damage. But through collaboration, physicians and pharmacists can work together to keep patients safe without spoiling their summer fun.