What's hot, what's not: Sun safety with Lisa Quale from the Skin Cancer Institute

From food that boosts the body's natural ability to protect against ultraviolet radiation to the idea that wearing sunscreen will prevent the production of vitamin D, Lisa Quale has heard just about every rumor, myth and misconception there is when it comes to sun safety. As senior educator for the University of Arizona Cancer Center Skin Cancer Institute, she has been around the block a few times – and she always makes sure to cover up and stick to the shade. 

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As summer temperatures climb, Quale sorts fact from fiction and translates research into practical insight for everyday life.

The sun fuels life but can also cause dangerous cancers. Should we be afraid, or just a little cautious?

I have been a health educator for a very long time and I tell people that it's not a matter of fearing the sun – it's about fearing the tan and the burn caused by the sun. You can go out in the sun, just do it wisely. Plan outdoor activities early in the day and late in the afternoon. Otherwise, wear sunscreen or cover up. 

Personally, I am a huge fan of covering up. That is the biggest thing you can do to protect your skin. Sunburns and tans are your body's way of telling you that you're doing damage to your skin. Tanning is trying to block radiation from the sun from getting deeper into the skin, but most of the radiation still sneaks in. Sunburn happens if the UV exposure happens too quickly or if you're out too long without protection. 

What actually happens to our skin under sunlight?

UV radiation from the sun immediately starts affecting the DNA in your skin cells and triggers natural pigment cells called melanin to help shield your skin from deeper damage. The problem is that the tan you get only has a sun protection factor of around seven. Plus, even if you can tan, those cells are potentially damaged forever.

If the damage being done to your skin is too much for it to handle and the skin cells die, blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow and bring immune cells to the skin to help clean up the mess. All this causes the redness, swelling and inflammation we associate with sunburn.

The bottom line is if you get a tan or a burn, you have damaged your skin cells, and that damage will last a lifetime. Cells that survive UV radiation can carry and pass on mutations. That is what can eventually lead to skin cancer.

What are the warning signs you think people most often ignore when it comes to sun exposure?

Probably changes in their skin, and it's not so much that they're ignoring it, but they maybe don't know what their skin looks like to begin with, and so don't notice changes that could be concerning. I tell people that we need to examine our skin monthly, whether or not you think you're at risk or have sun damage. You need to get to know your skin so that if it starts to change, you will notice.

How can we tell if sunscreen is "high quality"?

Anyone shopping for sunscreen can find a good product by looking for a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of 30 or higher containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone. These are the only three ingredients widely available in the U.S. that protect against all the UV radiation we're exposed to. The FDA recently approved a fourth broad-spectrum ingredient called bemotrizinol, which will hopefully be available in sunscreen formulations later this summer.

What resources does the Skin Cancer Institute offer for improving personal health?

We have a Community Ambassador program that trains people how to deliver sun safe messages to others in the community. We also have a baby/kid hat program that supplies sun safe hats to kids at an affordable price and the Protect Your Skin Program that offers sunscreen to local businesses and communities. On the research side, we offer a seed grant program every year that supports U of A researchers doing work on every avenue of skin cancer research.

Also, remember our ACE message: Avoid, Cover, and Examine.