What Causes Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer and Skin Whitening
What causes skin cancer?
I know, and feel, that you're concerned. It’s a common question to ask, because there’s plenty of misinformation when it comes to the causes of this disease.
Unlike some cancers, scientists have a pretty clear idea of what can cause skin cancer, so there’s no need for confusion. Let’s take a look at the facts.
Identifying Skin Cancer:
In short, ultraviolet (UV) rays are what causes skin cancer. This is a form of natural radiation that comes from the sun – we are exposed to it every day, and in small doses it’s fairly harmless. However, if your skin is exposed to it for long periods of time over several months or years, damage is likely to occur.
 UV is reflected by the ozone layer in the atmosphere – this is why it’s easier to get sunburned (which is also caused by UV rays) in countries like New Zealand and Australia, above which there is a hole in the ozone layer. Skin cancer is also more common in areas that receive more sun throughout the year – for instance, you’re more likely to develop skin cancer if you spend your days on a beach in the Bahamas rather than an office in England, all other things being equal.
How does UV exposure actually lead to the development of skin cancer? It does so by altering your DNA. Cancer in general is the result of damaged cells reproducing in the wrong way.
Keep in mind also that just because the cancer is caused by sun exposure, that doesn’t necessarily mean the symptoms will show up on parts of your body that are most exposed to the sun, like your arms. This is why any new moles or suspicious blemishes should be checked out, even if they’re on areas that receive the least sun exposure.
Other facts about skin cancer:
As well as sun exposure, there are other issues that influence who develops skin cancer based on body factors. For instance, people with naturally light skin are often more prone to developing skin cancer than those with naturally dark skin.
Also, skin cancer signs tend to be more common in older people. But this doesn’t mean young people aren’t at risk from too much sun – rather, the damage occurs throughout your lifetime and the results manifest in the form of cancer later in life. This is why it’s important to use sun protection no matter how old you are.
In some instances, genetic issues are what causes skin cancer being passed down through generations, rather than by external factors like sun exposure. If there’s a strong history of skin cancer in your family, this often means you’re at an increased risk of developing it yourself.
UVA and UVB:
There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. There has been a lot of speculation in the past that UVB rays were the ones solely responsible for skin cancer. It’s now thought that both types play a role, so it’s important to make sure your skin protection defends you against both (many sunscreens only filter UVB).
So... is skin whitening one of the causes of skin cancer?
Straight answer: NO. Not skin whitening specifically. Not even skin tanning if you do it safely. The risk starts if you apply the process improperly -
- You expose yourself too much to the sun without protection especially during the skin peeling process (heck, any excessive sun exposure as emphasized above increases the risk!);
- or when you use skin whitening products with hydroquinone for a long period of time (fortunately, our skin whitening products do not contain this ingredient).
FACT: It is more likely to acquire skin cancer if you tan your skin, than when you lighten it. Why? Because during the skin lightening process, it is when individuals tend to avoid more sun exposure.
We've gathered more info for you:
Avoid what causes skin cancer. And stay cancer-free! :)
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