Aesthetic Health: Using Sunscreen as a Preventive Measure

“Exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause many harms to human beings, with skin cancer and photoaging being the most studied”.

Upon completing the Postgraduate Program in Aesthetic Health, graduates Fernanda Kelys (Aesthetic Nurse), Jane Luiza (Aesthetic Biomedical Professional), Javeny Távora (Aesthetic Nurse), and Tânia Márcia (Aesthetic Pharmacist) submitted their Final Course Project (TCC) to the Nepuga/FAPUGA examining board.

The group, made up of professionals from different fields, devoted itself to studying the topic “Use of sunscreen as a preventive measure against skin cancer and photoaging caused by ultraviolet radiation”.

The postgraduate students from the Belo Horizonte-PR campus aimed to conduct a literature review describing the use of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer and photoaging.

Earning the highest grade in the institution's evaluation, the students completed their specialization in 2019 and earned an Academic Highlight in the Nepuga library. Read more about the conclusions reached by the specialists!

Harm Caused by Ultraviolet Rays

Exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause many harms to human beings, but this study analyzed two of them: skin cancer and photoaging. This is because ultraviolet rays promote genetic mutations and have a suppressive effect on the skin's immune system.

Accordingly, the use of photoprotectors as an immediate form of protection has been widely discussed in the literature, since it is recommended for the care of all skin neoplasms. “Intrinsic factors influence whether these occur or not, but geographic location and certain precautions, such as using sunscreen and choosing the right time of day for sun exposure, directly contribute to the presence or absence of cancer and photoaging”, they explain.

Taking these factors into account, the students state that a trained professional plays a fundamental role in guiding the public in choosing the best sunscreen, considering the protection factor and explaining correct use and the other precautions that should be taken.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is currently one of the most common neoplasms in Brazil, accounting for 25% of all registered malignant tumors, and it is divided into melanoma and non-melanoma types. The incidence of skin cancer can vary according to several factors, such as sun exposure, skin color, living in tropical countries, advanced age, and genetic factors.

“The role of ultraviolet radiation in inducing skin cancer can be subdivided into two types: intermittent exposure, which is believed to be the case for melanoma, or continuous exposure to ultraviolet rays, which is the case for non-melanoma skin cancer, currently the most common type of skin cancer”.

However, the specialists warn that sun exposure cannot and should not be avoided, since the sun is very important for human life. So, for effective skin cancer prevention, it is necessary to use protective measures such as:

• Avoiding hours of high radiation;
• Wearing clothing and accessories such as hats and sunglasses;
• Using sunscreen every day.

Sunscreen and Photoaging in Aesthetic Health

Photoaging is a type of aging caused by accumulated sun exposure, and it takes about 20 to 30 years for the signs to become visible. “Signs of photoaging on the skin include: blotchy, thickened, yellowish, rough skin with wrinkles, which can even lead to cancer. The signs of natural aging are accelerated by the photoaging process,” they explain.

According to the group's research, using photoprotectors in the first 18 years of life has a significant impact in reducing the appearance of precancerous lesions and photoaging, since it has been shown not to interfere with the production of vitamin D, and the actinic damage from solar radiation is cumulative.

“Using sunscreen is the main cosmetic approach against the harmful effects of UV radiation. The market currently offers many ways to use sunscreen. Different studies show that proper use of photoprotectors reduces the number of skin-related diseases. Men and women still differ greatly in their concern for this type of market, and despite the significant growth of men in this world of aesthetics, women still predominate”, they warn.

Read the full final project!

: Silva, F.K.A; Santos, J.L; Couto, J.T.V.M; Rocha, T.M.N. Utilização de protetor solar como medida preventiva para o câncer de pele e fotoenvelhecimento ocasionados pela radiação ultravioleta. Nepuga/Fapuga. Belo Horizonte– BH.

Academic Highlights