Why Sun Protection Is Required And The Ingredients Effective

The outer most layer of the skin or Epidermis contains stratified squamous, keratinized, epithelial tissue; which lacks blood vessels, and the cells are packed closely together (Sloane, 1994, p.85)

The purpose of this experiment was to test which type of sunscreen worked better, spray or lotion. The experiment was conducted by cutting a UV paper into squares and labeling each one with each of the six sunscreen. A small amount of each sunscreen was applied to a square and was taken outside for three minutes to be exposed to the sun. The UV squares were taken back inside to be soaked in water for one minute each. The squares were left to dry for twenty-four hours. Three trials were conducted for each sunscreen. After the twenty-four hours of drying time and for the results to fully come in, immediately it was noticed that the lotions made the UV paper much lighter than the sprays. For all three trials, sunscreen number two, made the UV paper the whitest, meaning it protected the UV paper from sun exposure more.

Over the last several years, the total number of skin cancer (melanoma) cases in Australia has been rising dramatically. Evidence of this can be seen with statistics provided by the Cancer Council of Australia. They determined that melanoma is most common form of cancer for individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 years of age. To make matters worse over 1 million people are screened for this disease every single year. This is illustrating how some kind of increased protection is required to protect consumers against the sun's ultra violet rays. ("Skin Cancer Facts and Figures," 2012)

Thesis: Many people do not use sun protection on a daily bases and are unaware of the health effects of sun exposure that can be easily preventive by using sun protection.

The skin is divided into three different parts including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. This region of the skin has no blood cells or blood vessels running through it. All of the nutrients that the epidermis needs are received through diffusion from the dermis. The epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelial cells. The epidermis is made of five separate layers: the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and the stratum corneum. Starting at the innermost layer, the stratum basale is where mitosis of keratinocytes takes place. This layer of the epidermis also contains melanocytes which give the skin it’s pigment. As mitosis takes place in the stratum

The three layers that make up healthy skin: Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Epidermis is composed of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. This layer provides a thick, water proof protective covering over the underlying skins. The dermis layer is composed of primarily of dense, irregular, fibrous connective tissue that is rich in collagen and elastin. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve ending, and epidermally derived cutaneous oranges such as sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The last layer is Hypodermis this layer is composed primarily of loose dead skin. The fat layer provides cushioning and insulation for

The dermis contains elastic and fibrous tissues such as fibrillin, collagen and elastin. These tissues gives

“Indoor tanning under the age of 18 increases your risk of skin cancer by 75%”(Division of Cancer Prevention Ceanter). Over 10,000 people are expected to die this year from UV related causes. However, many people will disregard these facts and continue on with their harmful habits. There are many effects of artificial tanning and prolonged exposure to the sun. Many people have no idea about the risks of prolonged exposure to the sun, how dangerous artificial tanning actually is, or how radiation is not the only harmful trait of indoor tanning.

There are three primary layers of the skin: the outer layer, the epidermis and the layer beneath, the dermis and the hypodermis. The epidermis is thin, tough and waterproof while protecting the body from outside bacteria invading the body. It also contains keratinocytes which are from the basal layer which is the deepest layer of the skin. The keratinocytes reach up to the epidermis, shed and new ones form again. The dermis is the second layer of the skin and is the thickest. It is made from fibrous and elastic tissues which are made from fibrillin, elastin and collagen to create the strength and flexibility. It also contains sweat and oil glands, nerve endings, blood vessels and hair follicles. Sweat glands help the body cool off during heat

The layers of the epidermis from deep to most superficial are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum grandulosum, stratum lacidum, and the stratum corneum. Each of these layers are unique due to the type of cells located in them which they are named after. They all together make up the epidermis, an avascular, superficial, and made up of epithelial cells.

Several findings are made based on the results: UV radiation can cause cell death by inducing genetic mutation, which agree with Diepegen et al. (2012)’s finding regarding UV radiation’s destructive effect at a cellular level. Photoprotective agents can effectively prevent and reduce UV radiation induced damage to cells. Similar findings were made by Quatrano and Dinulos (2013), who indicated that sunscreen contains active ingredient that absorbs UV radiation ranging between 290-400 nm. This experiment proves that photoprotective agents with higher SPF values are more effective in absorbing UV radiation. Indicated by Green et al. (2011), they suggested that regular application of high SPF sunscreen will prevent melanoma.

According to Sherrif Ibrahim and Marc Brown, in Tanning and Cutaneous Malignancy, sun exposure, at the end of the 19th century, was considered a skin protectant to cancer. Ibrahim and Brown state that before the Industrial Revolution tan skin was a sign that someone was low class because he or she worked outdoors, while “porcelain” skin was associated with high society. After the Industrial Revolution, this idea switched and those who were tan we associated with being wealthy and happy since those who were tan had enough time to lounge around outdoors. Since then, the search for a perfect tan has increased and the first indoor tanning facility opened in 1978 in America (Ibrahim &

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is present in normal sunlight and sunlamps. “The sun emits energy over a broad spectrum of wavelengths: visible light that [one] can see, infrared radiation that [one] feels as heat, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation that [one] cannot see or feel. UV radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than visible light. It affects human health both positively and negatively” (U.S. EPA). There are multiple types of ultraviolet radiation known to scientists and each affects human in different ways. “The longer ultraviolet rays (UVA), which penetrate deep into the skin, are responsible for tanning. Shorter rays (UVB) damage superficial skin cell layers, causing sunburn” (Harvard). Medical researchers at the Skin Cancer Foundation found that “the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more), as well as skin cancer” (Skin Cancer Foundation).

Stratum Corneum this layer is the outer most layers; it is formed from numerous layers of compressed scale- like, overlapping cells. What makes up the surface of the skin is corneocytes, which are commonly called ‘dead skin cells’. Keratinocytes are found in the epidermis they travel up through the layer where they are formed into corneocytes. The stratum corneum layer protects against lights, chemicals, water loss, heat and bacteria.

For baby boomer generation which is experiencing life changes brought by aging, they have shown increasing interests in cosmetics and toiletries, not only to enhance their appearance but also for other reasons. A simple example is that they use foundation with treatment ingredients to protect their skin against harmful UV rays, and to help a variety of skin problems.