As an outdoor athlete, you compete and practice in mostly sunny locations, experiencing an extraordinary amount of ultraviolet rays. Some of the benefits of spending time in the sun's rays include:
• Strengthening bones by activating Vitamin D
• Providing therapeutic benefits for some skin conditions
• Offering psychological benefits by providing a sense of well-being
As an athlete, however, you endure a much greater risk of the unpleasant effects of the sun. Some of these unfortunate side effects include:
• Burning of the skin: a tan is your body's sub-optimal attempt to protect itself from harmful rays - no tan is a good tan.
• Pre-mature aging as the sun destroys skin causing it to lose elasticity and sag into fine lines and wrinkles.
• Discoloration of skin into unsightly dark sunspots.
• Developing pre-cancerous lesions and potentially skin cancer.
Why are tennis players and outdoor athletes at risk for sun related skin effects?
• You have practiced and competed in the sun for years. Cumulative sun damage is most significant in the development of wrinkles, ugly sunspots, and most types of skin cancer.
The damage of the sun is often silent until 20-30 years later in life.
• Unfortunately, you often compete and practice between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the peak sun damage hours.
• Several tournament & training locations in the world experience excessive sun exposure. Locations at high altitudes receive more sun on the court because there are fewer atmospheres to absorb the damaging rays. If you play at 5,000 feet, the sun is 20% more intense! Also locations near the Equator receive much more intense sun.
• An hour of profuse sweating removes any water/sweat-proof sun block you've applied and increases your chance of sunburn. Studies show that it takes half as much sun to burn you when you sweat.
• Tennis courts (especially lighter colored ones) reflect ultraviolet rays back to your face from the ground. Simply wearing a hat won't help you keep your skin safe in these situations.
• Many players like to wear white clothing to keep them cool while playing. White clothing (that is not specifically made with sun protection) allows more sun rays to hit the skin than darker colored clothing.
This baseline risk test will help determine your risks beyond the tennis court (1 point for every yes answer)
1) Did you have blistering sunburns as a kid?
2) Do you have more than 50 moles?
3) Do you burn easily or find it hard to tan?
4) Have you ever had moles taken off which were abnormal under the microscope?
5) Do you have a sibling or parent who had melanoma?
6) Have you ever had melanoma?
If you scored 3 points or more, you are at much greater risk for skin cancer.
If you answered yes to 5 or 6, you have extremely high risk.
HALF BAKED!
Key Skin Cancer Facts:
• The skin cancers: Basal, Squamous cell, & Melanoma are all caused by too much sun.
• Skin cancer is the most common cancer of all cancers.
• Melanoma is the most common cause of death from cancer in women ages 25 to 30.
• Melanoma is curable greater than 95% of the time IF CAUGHT EARLY.
• Early detection is key; perform self-exams and visit the dermatologist regularly
• Everyone, including darker skin players, can develop melanoma on fingers, toes, nails, & areas not exposed to sun.
The ABC's of Melanoma
Asymmetry: Normal moles should look the same on both sides if you draw a line down the middle of it.
If the 2 sides look different, seek care
Border: Most moles are round. If yours has bubbly edges or appears scalloped, seek care
Color: Normal moles are mostly one color. If you have moles with several shades of colors all in one such as light brown, dark brown, black, red, seek care
Diameter: Normal moles are less than the size of a pencil eraser. If you find one that is bigger, seek care
Evolving: Normal moles should not be changing shape or size on your skin. If it is or your mole itches or gives you discomfort, seek care
Avoid Common Outdoor Misses (Sun safety misses that is!)
• Put sunblock on your ears first (Don't forget the inside--not just the tops of the ears)
• A hat protects you from the sun above but not from reflection off the court; you still need face sunblock
• Use white clothing that has the technical feature of having high UPF (ultraviolet protection factor)
• If you don't wear a hat, don't forget to spray sunblock on your scalp if you have a part in your hair
• Don't forget sunblock for your lips (Try a special lip balm with SPF 30 or greater)
• You can still get a sunburn when it is cold and/or cloudy.
• Darker skin players need to embrace sun safety habits as well; the darkest skin only provides a SPF 3!
• NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use a tanning bed---a tan gives you only a SPF 2
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." - John Ruskin
Sun Safety Tips
• Wear SPF 30, sweatproof, waterproof sunblock that blocks UVA & UVB
• Look for sunblock that says it has helioplex, zinc oxide, or titanium oxide
• Apply sunblock 30 minutes before going out in the sun (it takes that long to become effective)
• Sunblock comes as lotion, cream, sticks, and sprays; all are effective, use your favorite…just use it!
• Use sprays on your ears, face, arms, & legs for quick application without messy hands
• Use SPF 30 or higher sunblock on your lips before any sun exposure and to prevent most
coldsores (herpres), reapply ever hour
• Remember: after 1 hour of sweating, dry your skin off with a towel and reapply your sunblock
• Look for clothing that has UPF 30 or greater; UPF is like SPF but refers to sun protection from clothing
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
• For more information on sun safety, check out the dermatology website: www.aad.org
Thanks to Dr. Brian Adams, author of Sports Dermatology, (2006, Springer) and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Dermatology Consultant.
DISCLAIMER
The contents of the Game, Set, Health site, are for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, psychiatric, psychological, health care or health management advice. The materials herein are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
