Sun Care Product Tips

There’s a vast array of sun care products on the market today, all the sun care products may confuse you. A tan of any kind means that you have burned your skin and it is in the process of healing.

A sunblock is stronger than a sunscreen. A sunblock contains chemicals that block the sun’s rays by reflecting and scattering them. In other words, a sunblock acts as a physical barrier. Previously, only titanium dioxide was used; it was responsible for the white noses of lifeguards. Now, manufacturers distribute smaller particles of titanium dioxide throughout the sunblock so that it does not create a “white shield” or they use other ingredients that also effectively block the sun.

Sunscreens protect the skin because their chemicals absorb UV rays, thereby preventing them from penetrating the skin. UV rays are not visible to the human eye. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are recommended because they protect against both types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deeper than UVB rays and cause skin damage that results in premature aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are mainly responsible for sunburn and long-term skin damage. A sunburn is usually a first or second degree burn. Protection from these rays is important as they can disrupt the skin cells’ genetic material and cause skin cancer.

Mists and accelerators can achieve a tan without burning your skin. You can do this by protecting your skin at the beach with a sunblock or strong sunscreen and then applying a self-tanner.

A self-tanner may be a spray, creme or gel. These products give you varying degrees of the tan you always wanted without harming your skin. These products are applied to the skin and leave a smooth “tan” in as little as two to three hours. A key phrase in the promotions of these products is “non-streaking.”. Be aware though that a self-tanner does not protect you from the sun unless it also contains sunscreens.

Overexposure to the Sun Can Happen Indoors and Outdoors

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology article offers information about the recent development in sun protection provided by window and automobile glass, and sunglasses.

In the car, at work or walking to and from a store, you can’t escape the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, new research about the transmission of UV light through window and automobile glass and through sunglasses, has led to developments that can help protect people from the sun.

“People should realize that even during everyday activities they are receiving incidental sun exposure which harms the skin as it accumulates and can result in premature aging, wrinkles and even skin cancer,” said dermatologist Henry W. Lim, M.D., chairman of the department of dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich., and co-author of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology article entitled, “Photoprotection by window glass, automobile glass and sunglasses.” “Dermatologists and manufacturers of glass products and sunglasses are continually working to find better ways to decrease the amount of UV radiation being filtered through these items to the skin and eyes. These advances are helping to reduce the amount of UV exposure that a person receives on a daily basis.”

UV radiation from the sun comes in two forms: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has long been associated with sunburn while UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation that contributes to premature aging and wrinkle formation. Both of these types of rays have been linked to the development of skin cancer. More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year.

Window Glass and Photoprotection

Window glass filters out UVB rays, but UVA rays are still transmitted to the skin through the panes. The type of glass and the type of coating on the glass can affect the percentage of UV radiation that is transmitted to the body.

Most residential buildings have one of three types of glass: clear, tinted or reflective. Of these three, reflective glass, the kind that eliminates the ability to see the interior of a building from the outside during the day, minimizes unwanted solar heat gain and reduces UV transmission to less than 25 percent. This means nearly one-quarter of the UV exposure, exclusively the longer wavelength UVA, is reaching the inside though, remarked Dr. Lim.

“Most Americans spend 80 percent of their day indoors at work or school,” stated Dr. Lim. “With the new trend in architecture toward more and larger windows in buildings, protection from UV exposure when indoors has become an important issue for not only the cost-effectiveness of cooling a building, but also for the health and safety of the employees who work within it.”

Recent developments in window glass include low-emissivity (low-E) glass which has a special surface coating between layers of antireflective glass. This type of glass reflects up to 70 percent of solar heat and reduces UV transmission through the panes to 20 percent.

To protect the skin from the damaging rays of the sun when working indoors, it is important to: arrange workspace so that the body is not in direct sunlight; and use blinds or shades on the windows during peak sun hours.

Automobile Glass and Photoprotection

In studies of UV exposure in cars, it was shown that the parts of the driver’s and passenger’s bodies closest to the window received the greatest UV exposure. Side and rear windows are usually made from non-laminated glass, allowing a significant amount of UVA to pass through to the passengers in the car. Most windshields are made from laminated glass, the type of glass designed to prevent fragments from shattering onto the occupants during an accident and which can filter both UVB and a large portion of the UVA rays.

Tinting automobile glass is an option that allows 3.8 times less UVA light to be transmitted to the interior of the car as compared to untinted window glass. In a 2004 study of UV transmission and color tint, grey tinted laminated glass provided the highest UV protection with only 0.9 percent of UVA light transmitted versus 62.8 percent transmitted through non-laminated clear glass. People who are considering tinting their windows should take their car to a professional auto detailing shop, in order to ensure that the tinting meets the federally mandated 70 percent of minimum visible light transmittance through the windshield.

“Obviously UVA exposure in a car is influenced by non-glass-related factors such as position of the individual in the vehicle, direction of travel with respect to the sun, and time of day,” stated Dr. Lim. “However, the more time a person spends in a car, especially at the same time of day such as during a regular commute, can greatly affect the amount of UV exposure their skin receives.”

To reduce sun exposure while driving, wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants, especially when the body is in the sun; apply sunscreen generously to any exposed skin before driving, especially the hands, forearms and face; and wear protective sunglasses to reduce glare and protect the eyes from UV exposure.

Sunglasses and Photoprotection UV radiation is potentially hazardous to the structure of the eyes, particularly the cornea, lens and retina, which is why the U.S. developed a “sunglass standard,” with the latest version published in 2001. Sunglasses are classified into three categories: cosmetic sunglasses providing minimal UV protection; general purpose sunglasses designed to reduce glare in bright light or when driving; and special purpose sunglasses for activities such as skiing or going to the beach.

“The ideal sunglasses should substantially reduce UV exposure of the cornea and the lens, including any UV coming from lateral directions, and should wrap around the eyes, thereby maximizing eye and eyelid protection,” said Dr. Lim. “For even better protection, wear a broad-brimmed hat which can help reduce the level of UV radiation reaching the eyes and the surrounding area.”

In addition, Dr. Lim recommended the following tips when purchasing sunglasses to maximize UV protection:

Look for neutral gray and amber brown lenses that give true color rendition, particularly to red and green stoplights. Seek glasses with a large frame and lenses that cover the entire eye and wrap around the side of the eye.

Look for the “100% UV Protection” sticker to ensure that the sunglasses meet standards for safe levels of UV protection.

Expensive sunglasses do not necessarily provide better UV protection, according to Dr. Lim. Darkly tinted sunglasses can make pupils dilate and increase lid opening, thereby resulting in increased UV exposure to the lens of the eye.

In addition to wearing sun protective clothing, including sunglasses, you should follow these sun protection tips and Be Sun SmartSM:

Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.

Protect children from sun exposure by applying sunscreen. Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun.

Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Nature’s Healer: The Sun

The sun has always been seen as the source of life and healing. We must not forget the many benefits the sun bestows on us. It is nature’s healer.

Sunlight

Throughout history there has been no better and more common symbol of happiness and well being than the sun. The ancient Egyptians, the Aztecs, Romans and Greeks all worshipped the sun and thought of it as the source of life and health. Regardless of the historical time that comes to mind, you will find people cheered and uplifted by the life-giving rays of the sun.

Whether it was in the form of the god Helios or establishing Sun-day as the first day of the week, the sun always has played an important role in people’s lives.

The great Greek physician Hippocrates wrote extensively about the sun’s healing powers. Herodotus, the father of Heliotherapy, made frequent statements about the healing properties of the sun in his medical practice. In our own time, we see a reflection of these ancient sentiments in songs, poems and movies. And who of us could deny the feeling we have when the sun breaks through the darkened clouds: our mood lifts; our eyes turn upward; our energy and zest for life returns.

Although there have been many serious medical warnings about overexposure to the sun in recent years, we must not neglect the positive role sunlight plays in our mental and physical health. There is good news coming from scientific research telling us why we look and feel better from the sun.

The Blues

Sunlight is an important part of our daily lives. Ever notice how much time is spent at the office worrying about who gets the office with the window. And what about all that energy you feel when spring and summer come around. Everyone seems to be outdoors, planning hikes, barbecues and pool parties. You name it and it’s happening.

Tom Wehr, M.D., a research psychiatrist at the National Institutes of Health, is an expert in mood disorders and feels that our elevation in mood during the spring and summer can be directly linked to the amount of sunlight we are exposed to. “Researchers have found the exposure to natural light increases the production of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the brain’s pleasure center, thereby perking up your mood while warding off anxiety and depression.”

In contrast, look at what happens to people in the long winter months, especially those living in the Northeast and Northwest. Over 11 million people suffer from what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, and another 25 million suffer from a milder form of “winter blues.”

The symptoms of SAD and the “winter blues” can include fatigue, craving carbohydrates, irritability, sleeping more and a change of personality from your summer self to your winter self. It’s not exactly known what causes SAD, but according to health writer Francis FitzGerald, “SAD occurs year after year during a specific season – usually the winter – and vanishes when spring ushers in longer days and more sunshine.”

Medical Researchers think that our depressed moods during the winter may be the result of a chemical imbalance between serotonin and melatonin. With too little sunlight, melatonin makes us drowsy, and disrupts our internal clock.

Our Bodies

Besides just making us feel better and more energetic, exposure to sunlight plays an important role in helping us create vitamin D in our bodies. What makes this so important? Vitamin D has been shown to help prevent and treat serious medical conditions, including: breast cancer, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, psoriasis, acne, etc.

Though many people aren’t aware of it, most of our physiological requirements for vitamin D are provided for by casual exposure to sunlight. It is easy to see how important sunlight is for our physical and mental health.

Breast Cancer

Over 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. It is a major concern for women of all ages. But there is hope. According to Judy Gaillard and Donald Smith of Sun Wellness magazine, a study by researcher Ester M. John at the Northern California Cancer Center, entitled “Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk…” casual exposure to sunlight, along with other factors, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

The scientists concluded “high exposure to sunlight was associated with a 25 percent to 65 percent reduction in breast cancer risk among women whose longest residence was in a state of high solar radiation.” A 25 percent reduction in the number of breast cancer cases would mean approximately 44,000 women would not have to suffer the trauma of this disease. Since vitamin D and sunlight exposure are life-style behaviors, this is good news for women wishing to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Osteoporosis

Sometimes called “the silent disease,” osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass due to the malabsorption of calcium into the bone. Bone fragility results in increased risk of bone fracture in many parts of the body, including the hips, spinal vertebrae, and ribs. According to James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, fully “half of all women between the ages 45 and 75 show signs of osteoporosis.” Although osteoporosis is mostly an issue for post-menopausal women, both sexes and all age groups suffer from this disease.

“If vitamin D is absent, calcium, which is vital for normal bone growth and development, will not be absorbed from the intestinal tract and the bones become deformed,” says Zane Kime, M.D., M.S. in his book Sunlight. One of the best ways to get adequate vitamin D is moderate exposure to the sun. The World Health Organization Task-Force for Osteoporosis recently recommended sunlight as a part of the treatment and management of this disease.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. In a recent study by Hanchette and Schwartz of the University of North Carolina and published in the journal Cancer, the researchers a 20 to 40 percent lower incidence of prostate cancer among men in southern climates. Because of findings like this some researcher are suggesting that vitamin D may be an effective preventive agent against prostate cancer. The importance of sunlight cannot be underestimated in maintaining prostate health. If the incidence of prostate cancer is reduced by 20 percent nearly 37,000 men would not suffer the anguish of this disease.

Athletic Achievement

Most of us believe that sunlight gives us extra pep and energy. During the summer months, we tend to sleep less, play more and just have more get up and go. To back up this idea scientifically, Bylle Dopps and Scott Hoover of Sun Wellness magazine looked at research from the Sports Medicine Department of the German National Olympic Team Training Center. The results of their research showed that routine exposure to the sun optimized performance capabilities and reduced the incidence and recovery time of athletes from minor injuries.

If simple sunlight can help world class athletes recover from the stresses of training and competition, it seems reasonable to conclude that we can all benefit from the stress busting affects of sunlight.

Conclusion

Recent scientific studies have demonstrated what humans have suspected all along: natural sunlight promotes feelings of well-being, improves immune function, promotes natural healing and optimizes athletic performance. Don’t neglect these positive benefits of sunlight. Include moderate exposure to the sun in your overall health regimen.

Beat the Heat and Sun

Everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include the following:

* nausea
* dizziness
* flushed or pale skin
* heavy sweating
* headaches

Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

The American Red Cross treats severe heat like any other major emergency. “We go ‘on alert’ any time the forecast calls for high temperatures,” said Skip Batchelor, head of disaster services for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. “Our disaster team supports the city agencies as they open cooling centers – providing water, cots and health care if needed. During a particularly dangerous heat wave, our volunteers help officials go door-to-door, checking on elderly or sick residents who cannot leave their homes.”

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips . . .

* Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
* Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
* Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
* Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
* Stay indoors when possible. Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning

More Sun Exposure may be Good for Some People

A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight – namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases – may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D.

“We know that solar radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer,” said communicating author Richard Setlow, a Senior Biophysicist Emeritus at Brookhaven and a well-known expert on the link between solar radiation and skin cancer. Setlow’s group was the first to establish that ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation and visible light are the primary causes of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. He and his colleagues emphasize that people need to protect themselves from the harmful effects of sun exposure.

But solar radiation is also a major, if not the main, source of vitamin D in humans. In the presence of sunlight, the body converts certain precursor chemicals to active vitamin D.

“Since vitamin D has been shown to play a protective role in a number of internal cancers and possibly a range of other diseases, it is important to study the relative risks to determine whether advice to avoid sun exposure may be causing more harm than good in some populations.” The concern, he says, is particularly great in populations from northern latitudes, such as Scandinavia, where sun exposure is extremely limited.

In the current study, Setlow and his colleagues used a model incorporating information on solar radiation intensity and a vertical cylinder shape to represent the human body’s skin surface to calculate the relative production of vitamin D via sunlight as a function of latitude, or distance from the equator. The cylindrical model more realistically represents human body sun exposure than flat surface exposure measurements used in previous models. The scientists also examined the incidence of and survival rates for various forms of cancer by latitude.

According to the calculations, people residing in Australia (just below the equator) produce 3.4 times more vitamin D as a result of sun exposure than people in the United Kingdom, and 4.8 times more than people in Scandinavia.

“There is a clear north-south gradient in vitamin D production,” Setlow says, “with people in the northern latitudes producing significantly less than people nearer the equator.”

In populations with similar skin types, there is also a clear increase in the incidence of all forms of skin cancer from north to south. “This gradient in skin cancer rates indicates that there is a true north-south gradient in real sun exposure,” Setlow says.

The scientists also found that the incidence rates of major internal cancers such as colon cancer, lung cancer, and cancers of the breast and prostate also increased from north to south. However, when the scientists examined the survival rates for these cancers, they found that people from the southern latitudes were significantly less likely to die from these internal cancers than people in the north.

“In previous work, we have shown that survival rates for these cancers improve when the diagnosis coincides with the season of maximum sun exposure, indicating a positive role for sun-induced vitamin D in prognosis – or at least that a good vitamin-D status is advantageous when combined with standard cancer therapies,” Setlow says. “The current data provide a further indication of the beneficial role of sun-induced vitamin D for cancer prognosis.”

So, how can people get the benefits of vitamin D without running the risk of deadly skin cancer”

“As far as skin cancer goes, we need to be most worried about melanoma, a serious disease with significant mortality,” Setlow says.

Melanoma is triggered by UVA (the long UV wavelengths) and visible light. Vitamin-D production in the body, on the other hand, is triggered by UVB (the short UV wavelengths at the earth’s surface). “So perhaps we should redesign sunscreens so they don’t screen out as much UVB while still protecting us from the melanoma-inducing UVA and visible light,” Setlow says.

Increased UVB exposure may result in an increase in non-melanoma skin cancers. But these are relatively easy to cure and have very low mortality rates compared with the internal cancers vitamin D appears to protect against, Setlow adds.

Another option would be to increase vitamin D consumption while continuing to wear sunscreen. Vitamin D is easily accessible in many foods and liquids, such as cod liver oil and milk, and in dietary supplements.

A Few Basic Facts About The Sun and Our Skin

Here are some straight forward facts to consider on the topic of sun protection. The sun radiates two different rays that are cancer causing, UVA and UVB. The UVA ray is longer and it affects the skin much deeper than a UVB ray. The UVB ray is the one that gives you sunburn. Both can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
When you buy a sunscreen and you look for a sun proof factor (spf), you are looking for protection from the UVB ray. The thing is, most sun blocks are only keeping out the UVB. So, you can have sunscreen on, thinking you are safe, but still get skin cancer from the UVA rays.

SPF, an abbreviation for sun-protection factor, is a number such as 15, 30, or 50 that indicates how long a topical sunscreen remains effective on the skin. A user can determine the duration of effectiveness simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer with almost 1 million cases each year in America. Treatment includes a procedure to remove the cancer, typically by cutting out the affected area or treating with a topical chemotherapy. If left untreated, the cancer will continue to grow. Individuals who have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma need sun protection to minimize UV exposure.

Bottom line – the sun is our friend.  We need it and it is wonderful for our spirits and our health. Enjoy it but safely and in moderation.

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