The October sun may not be as intense as the noontime glare during the summer months, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your sunscreen at home, as Science Daily reports that sunscreen has protective properties against skin cancer.
Researchers led by Dr. Elke Hacker from Queensland University of Technology in Australia have found that SPF30+ sunblock provides 100 percent protection against three forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. It also shields a gene called p53, which is responsible for repairing skin damage.
These findings were based on a study that involved 57 participants. The researchers took small skin biopsies from the volunteers and exposed them to UV light. Some samples had sunscreen, while some didn’t. After another set of biopsies was taken 24 hours later, the researchers found that there were no damages or DNA changes to the patch of skin with sunscreen.
So before your head outside, slather on a generous amount of water-resistant SPF30+ sunscreen, and reapply every two hours.
Dr. Hacker instructs: "Applying sunscreen correctly is important. Adults should apply more than half a teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm and the face, neck and ears--and just over one teaspoon to each leg, and front and back of the torso."
(Photo by Michael via Flickr Creative Commons)
