Prevention

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Sunscreens. The use of sunscreens is complex, and everyone should understand how and when to use them. The bottom line is not that people should avoid sunscreens or sunblocks, but that they should always use them in combination with other sun-protective measures.

Protective Clothing. Wearing sun-protective clothing is extremely important and protects even better than sunscreens. Special clothing is now available for blocking UV rays and is rated using SPF ratings or a system called the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) index, with 50 UPF being the highest. (According to one study, this is a very reliable indicator of protection.) The clothing is expensive, however. The following are some tips for anyone:

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Everyone, including children, should wear hats with wide brims. (Even wearing a hat, however, may not be fully protective against skin cancers on the head and neck.)
People should look for loosely fitted, unbleached, tightly woven fabrics. The tighter the weave the more protective the garment.
Washing clothes over and over improves UPF by drawing fabrics together during shrinkage. An easy way to assess protection is simply to hold the garment up to a window or lamp and see how much light comes through. The less the better.
Everyone over age 1 should wear sunglasses that block all UVA and UVB rays when in the sun.

Click the icon to see a depiction of sun protection.

Chemical Tanners

Some research suggests that melanin and dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredients in many self-tanning lotions, may help filter out UVA and UVB radiation and so be protective. More research is underway.

Role of Fats

One study indicated that people who reduced their intake of fat to 20% of their daily diet were significantly less likely than those on a high-fat diet to develop actinic keratosis, a common aging skin disorder that can also be a precursor to nonmelanoma skin cancer. Low-fat diets, however, appear to have no effect on basal cell carcinoma. In fact, some studies have suggested that certain fatty acids, such as those found in monounsaturated fats (e.g., olive and canola oils) or fish oils, may help protect the skin against sun-related diseases.

Oral Retinoids

The oral retinoids acitretin, etretinate, and isotretinoin have been shown to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum, and transplanted organs. They may also prevent the development of squamous cell carcinoma in patients for whom retinoids are used to treat psoriasis.

Antioxidants and other Natural Substances

Antioxidants are substances that act as scavengers of free radicals, mopping up unstable particles that, in excess, can damage the basic structure of cells, including their genetic material (DNA). Nevertheless, it is not yet known whether antioxidants can effectively protect against cancer, heart disease, premature aging, and other maladies. Among the most well-known antioxidants for the skin are vitamins C and E, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).