Difficulty tanning indicates predisposition to skin cancer

People who tan very little and are very red are more likely to develop skin cancer. Excessive exposure to the sun is not good for anyone, but especially this group should take extra care.

“The more pigmented and colored skin has more melanin, which is a natural sunscreen, and less exposure to the sun”, says Thais Bello Di Giacomo, dermatologist and member of the clinical staff of Israelita Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês and Alemão Oswaldo Cruz hospitals .

For her, it is important to emphasize that melanin does not replace the proper sunscreen. In addition, the social isolation imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic made dark skin less resistant to the sun and more sensitive, as pigmentation is determined by exposure.

Regardless of the pandemic and skin color, one piece of advice applies to everyone: beware.

According to Inca (National Cancer Institute), non-melanoma skin cancer is the most frequent in Brazil and corresponds to about 30% of all malignant tumors registered in the country. The disease is caused by the abnormal growth of skin cells, usually in areas with a great deal of sun exposure.

“Despite the high number of cases, when diagnosed early and treated appropriately, skin cancer has a low mortality rate. The disease, which is more common in people over 40 years of age, is increasingly affecting young people due to their constant exposure to the sun”, informs Aumilto Júnior, an oncologist at Hospital Santa Catarina – Paulista.

Skin cancer happens when ultraviolet rays reach the DNA, and this is also how skin tans occur. It stimulates the cell to try to protect itself with the production of melanin and the level of protection depends on the individual’s ability to produce it.

Some prefer the sun early in the morning or late in the afternoon —experts recommend before 9:00 am and after 4:00 pm—, but it must be understood that ultraviolet B radiation, which increases around midday and decreases in the late afternoon, is not the only harmful one.

“The incidence of ultraviolet A is constant, from sunrise to the time it sets, and today we know that A also causes skin cancer. Confirmation came with the tanning beds, because the idea was to take the ultraviolet light off B and reproduce the good sun. We realized that melanoma — the most dangerous skin cancer — exploded with the use of these cameras,” explains Di Giacomo.

And how long does it take for skin cancer to appear? According to the doctor, solar incidence is cumulative.

“As an analogy, for you to develop skin cancer it’s like reaching the top of a staircase. Every time you expose yourself excessively to the sun, it’s a step on the ladder that goes up. There are people who start at the bottom of the stairs. a person can climb as many stairs as he or she will never reach the top. It is predisposition. There are people who leave the middle of the stairs or from the top. They are very light-skinned, family history of cancer, with freckles, redheads. each one will be able to expose themselves until they develop skin cancer is variable”, he explains.

The main source of vitamin D, the sun without exaggeration is beneficial to health. Countries with a higher incidence of sunlight have lower rates of depression and suicide. To take advantage of it in order to obtain benefits and ward off harm, it is important to take some steps.

“For example, if you are going to walk on the beach, it is preferable to do it well in the early morning or late afternoon, because even with the incidence of UVA, the UVB will decrease. Sunscreen will not compromise your walk. he will protect himself, but he will not stop walking,” says the doctor.

“With children, care is redoubled. Before six months of age, it is recommended to avoid using sunscreen and sun exposure. Up to two years old, parents should use child sunscreen. Afterwards, it is preferable to keep it, but it is already possible opt for any filter for sensitive skin”, emphasizes Gomes.

“For everyone, the application should be quite generous so that it achieves the protection described on the package. The ideal is the double application, every two hours, when you sweat during physical activity or get out of the water”, he recommends.

As Brazil is a country with a high level of ultraviolet radiation in all regions, sunscreen is a precaution that needs to be extended to other seasons of the year. “It also protects the skin from other damage caused by the sun, such as premature aging and blemishes, for example.”

pay attention to the signs

Basically, there are three types of skin cancer:

Carcinoma basal cell it is the most common and is slow growing. It may present as signs of small spots or a reddish lesion that draws attention, especially in the head and neck region;

Carcinoma squamous cell: usually a non-healing wound or a progressively growing, more indurated or scaly painful wart;

Melanoma: is the most aggressive. It is characterized by a mole that grows and changes.

“All types of skin cancer can spread. The difference between them is the capacity for this to happen. The basal cell has a more localized growth and metastases are very rare. The squamous cell has a faster growth and can give rise to metastasis, mainly in the ganglia and in the region where the tumor is. Melanoma, even very small, already has the capacity to produce metastasis, which can affect any organ in the body”, explains Gomes.

“From the biopsy, the procedures recommended by doctors will vary between surgery, radiotherapy or systemic therapies, such as target therapy or immunotherapy”, says Júnior.

Sun exposure with care

• Don’t just rely on sunscreen: the best barriers are physical ones, such as a tent, clothing, shade, hat and glasses;
• Hydration helps to recover sun-damaged skin. It retains more water in the skin, prevents dryness, helps prevent aging, dermatitis and wrinkles;
• Use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 50: according to studies, the SPF is equivalent to 57% of what is on the label, because in the application people spread it too much and in a smaller amount than recommended. The correct thing is to use 30 grams for each application;
• How to choose sunscreen: opt for good and renowned brands that have the approval of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology and Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency). Consider the purpose and skin type;
• Watch out for kids: A blister burn doubles her chance of developing melanoma. Studies show that 80% of sun damage to the skin happens up to age 25;
• Stay away from homemade tanning techniques and recipes.