Practicing Safe Summer Sun
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:43
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Author: Julie Drennan Arnold
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When practicing safe sun, protection is the key. Any sun factor below SPF 20 is not considered by most doctors to count as a sunscreen at all. With the array of bronzing self-tanners, accelerators, and products available everywhere, it can be a difficult and costly mistake to choose incorrectly. Look for ingredients such as zinc oxide and micronized titanium dioxide for physical coverage, and for chemical protection. Oxybenzone, Avobenzone and Benzophenone, among others offer broad spectrum protection.
Sunscreens are not meant to last more than a few months, as they can lose effectiveness over time. It is best to discard last seasons’ half full bottles and stock up for summer 2007. Waterproof or water resistant formulas are available, and some products are formulated specifically for the face. I often use the children’s sunscreens, as they are gentle and non irritating.
According to the Sun Safety Alliance, there is a difference between water resistant and Waterproof.
"Water-resistant" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. "Waterproof" or "very water-resistant" indicates that the degree of sunburn protection is maintained after 80 minutes of such exposure.
Louise Carmichael-Hill of Bio2 Clinic in Royal Leamington Spa emphasises the importance of UVA and UVB protection, which should be labelled on the bottle. “We see patients on a regular basis who are unaware of the cumulative damage done to their skin by inadequate sun protection. Prevention methods can also be supplemented with anti oxidant serums to neutralize free radical damage and a mineral foundation such as Jane Iredale mineral make-up, which deflects the suns rays.” Layering your protection can be a smart strategy, but remember that wearing two layers of SPF 20 does not constitute an SPF 40.
The rising numbers of many different types of skin cancer has caused men and women to reconsider the yearly summer quest for the perfect summer tan. I have seen a dramatic increase in patients needing referrals to a dermatologist, necessitating treatment. Often, the outwardly visible signs of damage are minimal until things become serious. The best way to ensure healthy skin is to protect it in the first place, from childhood. In California, where I was born, sun products are sold just about everywhere and dispensed in schools.
So, have fun in the sun, serene in the knowledge that as the fake tan fades, your skin has not photo aged in summer 2007.
Sunscreens are not meant to last more than a few months, as they can lose effectiveness over time. It is best to discard last seasons’ half full bottles and stock up for summer 2007. Waterproof or water resistant formulas are available, and some products are formulated specifically for the face. I often use the children’s sunscreens, as they are gentle and non irritating.
According to the Sun Safety Alliance, there is a difference between water resistant and Waterproof.
"Water-resistant" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. "Waterproof" or "very water-resistant" indicates that the degree of sunburn protection is maintained after 80 minutes of such exposure.
Louise Carmichael-Hill of Bio2 Clinic in Royal Leamington Spa emphasises the importance of UVA and UVB protection, which should be labelled on the bottle. “We see patients on a regular basis who are unaware of the cumulative damage done to their skin by inadequate sun protection. Prevention methods can also be supplemented with anti oxidant serums to neutralize free radical damage and a mineral foundation such as Jane Iredale mineral make-up, which deflects the suns rays.” Layering your protection can be a smart strategy, but remember that wearing two layers of SPF 20 does not constitute an SPF 40.
The rising numbers of many different types of skin cancer has caused men and women to reconsider the yearly summer quest for the perfect summer tan. I have seen a dramatic increase in patients needing referrals to a dermatologist, necessitating treatment. Often, the outwardly visible signs of damage are minimal until things become serious. The best way to ensure healthy skin is to protect it in the first place, from childhood. In California, where I was born, sun products are sold just about everywhere and dispensed in schools.
So, have fun in the sun, serene in the knowledge that as the fake tan fades, your skin has not photo aged in summer 2007.