How to Choose the Perfect Sun Protection Hat

Choosing a good sun hat is very important. Not only do 1/3 of all skin cancers appear on the face but the biggest cause of premature aging is cumulative damage of the sun from infancy on up. So let’s get started finding the perfect sun hat for you.

All of our hats are chosen with sun protection in mind, but not all hats are created equal.

Let’s start with 5 basic questions to narrow down your search:

1. What activity will you be doing? Will there be wind? Do you need good peripheral vision? Will it be hot?
2. Do you want maximum sun protection or is good sun protection just fine?
3. How wide of a brim is comfortable for you?
4. How important is fashion to you or is functionality all you need?
5. Is your hair short? Thinning? Bald or shaved? Do you dye your hair?

1.What activity do you plan to do? Is it gardening, sailing, hiking, travel or a round of golf? Whatever the activity, it creates conditions we need to be concerned about.

Will you be in the wind? With a wide brim hat, a chin strap is very important for keeping your sun hat in place. Remember the old sitcom The Flying Nun? A wide brim hat will pick up the wind like it has wings of its own. Additionally, a chin strap will help keep your hat in place when bending over or dropping your chin is part of your activity, like in gardening.

Peripheral vision is an important factor for both safety and playing various sports like tennis or volleyball. This will be a personal decision for you. Consider both the size of the brim and, if a neck drape is involved, how far does the drape wrap around the face. I am a beach volleyball player and for me a 3″ brim is the widest I can use and still see high flying balls as well as the other players.

Will you be doing an activity that generates body heat? You may want to wear a sun visor for total head aeration or choose a sun hat with mesh on the side of the crown or a hat that made of a fast drying fabric that allows evaporative cooling. One trick for cooling your head in a hot, dry climate is to wet the hat and then let the evaporation cool your head.

Maximum sun protection vs good sun protection?

What is a maximum sun protection hat? We feel a maximum protection hat has a UPF rating of 50 and a hat brim that is 4 inches wide or greater. But there’s more. The brim needs to be angled downward. This downward sloping brim allows you to be protected for more hours of the day.

How does this work? At high noon, when the sun’s rays are directly overhead, even a 3″ brim hat may provide maximum sun protection for your head. But when the sun is either ascending or descending the sun’s rays can sneak right under your hat and strike your face or neck. At daybreak or sunset, when the suns ray’s are virtually horizontal, a wide brim hat may provide no protection at all.

Adventure sun hatIf you plan to be spending time outdoors when the sun is close to either horizon, you may want to think about our more unique designs such as the Kalahari hat, Adventure Hat or Chic Sheik that drop a vertical protective block of fabric between you and the sun.

Good sun protection can be had with a brim less than 4 inches wide or a brim that is more horizon from the head.

How wide of a brim are you comfortable with?

We all have different feelings about this one. Some people can handle a wide brim with no problem while others find it very distracting. Bottom line is that the wider the brim of the hat the more surface area there is to block the sun. But, of almost equal importance, is the angle of the brim. A wide brim hat that comes straight out from the head is good but when the sun is not straight overhead the rays can come under the brim and strike the face and neck. A brim that is angled downward goes a long way in giving you more hours of protection. As a basic rule of thumb, for maximum sun protection choose a downward angled 4″ brim sun hat … and, if you are comfortable, choosing a brim wider than 4″ is even better. If you are not sure how wide a brim you would like you may want to consider a 3 1/2 brim.

Now, how important is fashion to you?

As you can see, some of the sun protection inventors have come up with novel hat designs to protect you from the sun but, alas they would not be called high fashion … except possibly on another planet. Most of these unique hats were designed to solve special sun protection needs such as full face protection, additional neck protection or increased ventilation.

Some of our wide brim hats are the height of fashion creating a dramatic flare or ultra feminine silhouette. As we all know, fashion is in the eyes of the beholder so look for a hat that accentuates your attributes.

5. Next, let’s take a look at your hair.

Do you have thinning hair, or are you balding or shave your head? If yes, mesh panels on the crown of the hat may provide extra air flow to keep your head cooler but it will also let UV radiation sneak through and reach your scalp. With maximum sun protection in mind, it is better to leave the mesh panels for those with thick tresses. For those of you who do have thick hair, choosing a hat with mesh panels will help your head stay cooler in the heat.

Do you have short hair? If yes, we need to be extra concerned about your neck. A sun visor or a brim less than 4″ leaves your neck open to sun damage. Typically a full brim hat will be your best choice.

Hair can get dry, cracked and brittle from too much sun. Dyed hair is especially susceptible to problems under UV radiation so, to protect your hair, I would suggest staying away from visor hats that leave your hair open to the sun light.

Just a few parting suggestions for picking the perfect hat for you:

Hat size: A hat that is too big is better than one that is too small. A tight hat may give you a headache and then you won’t want to wear it. Many of our hats are adjustable, but in all cases, please be sure to measure your head to ensure a perfect fit. For those of you with lots of little grey cells we have hats for big heads. And, for those of you with smaller heads, please know that you may request stick-on sizing tape to help you fit your hat.

Cotz sunscreenReflective rays: Even the widest brim hat will not be able to stop rays reflecting up from the ground, a near by car or any other reflective surface so wearing sunscreen is important for maximum sun protection. Rule of thumb: Sun protective fabric is always better than sunscreen in protecting you from the harmful rays of the sun but alas not always practical. On areas where you can’t cover up with fabric use sunscreen. Maximum sun protection is achieved by a combination of sun protective clothing and sunscreen.

Sun Protection and Sun Burn FAQ

1. “How Much Sunscreen Should I Apply?”

The average user of sunscreen tends to use significantly less sunscreen than the amount required to achieve the SPF listed on the container.

2. “How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen When I’m Out In The Sun?”

Many experts recommend that frequent application during sun exposure is required. However, a group of children were tested by spreading on 1 application of sunscreen to one side of their bodies, and four applications to the other.

They then spent 6 hours in the sun. One application provided the same level of protection as four applications, confirming the adequacy of a single daily application of a sunscreen in that situation.

3. “How Long Before Sun Exposure Should I Apply Sunscreen To My Skin?”

As molecules of sunscreen are present in their active state in the sunscreen, sunscreens work immediately upon application. The only reason for application early is to allow absorption into the skin so that the sunscreen is less likely to be washed off, should the person be entering the water. Even so, modern sunscreens are quite resistant to removal from the skin.

4. “Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – What Is It?”

SPF is the ratio of the minimal ultraviolet dose required to produce redness with and without a sunscreen. For example, if it took ½ hour for your skin to become sunburned without any sunscreen, then for a sunscreen that has a 15 SPF rating, you could stay in the sun for 15 times longer (or 7.5 hours) before you get sunburned. This is provided, of course, that you’ve applied the sunscreen properly so that you’re getting the prescribed protection.

5. “Reactions To Sunscreens?”

Sunscreens can be both an irritant and an allergen, though allergic reactions are rare. Irritant reactions, however, abound. One classic error in sunscreen application is to put a large amount of sunscreen on the forehead. Perspiration and gravity can cause the sunscreen to migrate down your forehead into your eyes, causing a stinging sensation. Some people attribute this to an allergic reaction and discontinue use. It’s also important to wash your hands after applying sunscreen, since rubbing your sunscreen covered finger near your eyes can induce an irritant reaction.

6. “Why Is It Important To Use Sunscreens During Childhood?”

It appears that a great deal of time can elapse between actual sun damage and the development of skin cancer or other skin problems like photoaging. Therefore, it is important to protect your skin from an early age when you are out in the sun.

7. “Sunscreens And The Elderly?”

Many elderly people can become quite obsessed by sun avoidance, and their quality of life can suffer. Sometimes, if they are diagnosed with an actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma, they can become anxious and almost leap from shadow to shadow. However, few of them are likely to develop new skin cancers from present sun exposure. As long as they are prudent about avoiding excessive sun exposure and protecting their skin to prevent sunburn, they can continue to enjoy time outdoors.

8. “Can Sunscreens Prevent Cancer?”

There is clear evidence that sunscreens are helpful in preventing actinic keratoses, which are warty lesions that can occur on sun-exposed skin of the face or hands. Research has shown that these lesions can develop into a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and that this is linked to a cumulative exposure to the sun.

However, there is surprisingly little evidence that sunscreens have much effect in preventing another kind of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma, or for malignant melanoma. For malignant melanoma and for basal cell carcinoma, the character and timing, that is, the type of sunlight and your age at the time of the exposure to the sun appears to be more important than the cumulative dose.

Active Ingredients for Sunscreens and Sunblocks

The principal ingredients in sunscreens are usually aromatic molecules conjugated with carbonyl groups. This general structure allows the molecule to absorb high-energy ultraviolet rays and release the energy as lower-energy rays, thereby preventing the skin-damaging ultraviolet rays from reaching the skin.

So, upon exposure to UV light, most of the ingredients (with the notable exception of avobenzone) do not undergo significant chemical change, allowing these ingredients to retain the UV-absorbing potency without significant photodegradation. A chemical stabilizer is included in some sunscreens containing avobenzone to slow its breakdown – examples include formulations containing Helioplex and AvoTriplex. The stability of avobenzone can also be improved by bemotrizinol, octocrylene and various other photostabilisers.

Some sunscreens also include enzymes like photolyase, which are claimed to be able to repair UV-damaged DNA.

Immediate Pigment Darkening (IPD)

Star rating system

In the UK and Ireland, the Boots star rating system is a proprietary in vitro method used to describe the ratio of UVA to UVB protection offered by sunscreen creams and sprays. Based on original work by Prof. Brian Diffey at Newcastle University, the Boots Company in Nottingham, UK, developed a standard method which has been adopted by most companies marketing these products in the UK. The logo and methodology of the test are licensed for a token fee to any manufacturer or brand of sunscreens that wishes to use it, provided the products to which the logo is applied perform to the standard claimed. It should not be confused with SPF, which is measured with reference to burning and UVB.

One-star products provide the least ratio of UVA protection; five-star products are best. The method has recently been revised in the light of the Colipa UVA PF test, and with the new EU recommendations regarding UVA PF. The method still uses a spectrophotometer to measure absorption of UVA vs UVB; the difference stems from a requirement to pre-irradiate samples (where this was not previously required) to give a better indication of UVA protection, and of photo stability when the product is used. With the current methodology, the lowest rating is three stars, the highest being five stars.

In August 2007, the FDA put out for consultation the proposal that a version of this protocol be used to inform users of American product of the protection that it gives against UVA.

Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD)

The Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) method is a method of measuring UVA protection, similar to the SPF method of measuring UVB light protection. Originally developed in Japan, it is the preferred method used by skin care manufacturers.

Instead of measuring erythema or reddening of the skin, the PPD method uses UVA radiation to cause a persistent darkening or tanning of the skin. Theoretically, a sunscreen with a PPD rating of 10 should allow you to endure 10 times as much UVA as you would without protection. The PPD method is an in vivo test like SPF. In addition, Colipa has introduced a method which, it is claimed, can measure this in vitro and provide parity with the PPD method

As part of revised guidelines for sunscreens in the EU, there is a requirement to provide the consumer with a minimum level of UVA protection in relation to the SPF. This should be a UVA PF of at least 1/3 of the SPF to carry the UVA seal. The implementation of this seal is in its phase-in period, so a sunscreen without it may already offer this protection.

Pick Up A Sun Visor For A Great Way To Protect Yourself From Harmful Uv Rays!

A sun visor can come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Designed to protect your face from the sun’s harmful UV rays, these great looks in a sun visor will protect you and keep you looking stylish while you keep your beautiful skin free from premature aging!

The Adidas Grandslam Visor is a great option to wear when playing tennis or soccer to protect you from the sun and also keep you cool. Designed with X-Static antimicrobial silver fibers that conduct heat away from skin and ClimaLite fabric technology to keep you cool, this visor also has UV protection is built into the hat with an SPF of 25. The ClimaCool provides 360 degrees of cooling and increased ventilation. A great option to wear that will not break down despite multiple wears. The anti-microbial technology that this hat offers will extend the life of this visor.

If you are a lifeguard and need a sun visor to block the sun, but you also need some waterproofing technology, pick up the Nike Swim Lifeguard visor. This hat is constructed in 100% recycled Polyester taffeta. The lightweight and quick adjust back closure will provide a perfect fit and will not weigh you down when you need to think or act quickly. The sweat wicking technology will extend the life of this visor while the Dri-Fit material will dry quickly without staining and without damaging the fabric.

For a great look in a beach inspired visor, pick up the Sun N Sand Bayside Visor for only $10.95. This is a great choice if you have swim lessons for your children and you will be sitting out in the sun for a long period of time. This hat features a cotton crown to promote ventilation while the sewn paper braid brim also highlights a 4′ wide brim to protect you from the sun. A wide brim is a great option for those women who often forget to reapply sunscreen. This wide brim will keep you protected from harmful UV rays.

For a great hat to wear that also acts as a visor, pick up the Pantropic Packable Visor. This is a beautiful hat to pick up that provides 360 degrees of visor protection. Hand-woven in Ecuador, this hat packing perfectly flat in your suitcase and comes equipped with a 50+ UPF. A great option to take with you to a tropical island where you know you will be loafing in the sunshine for a few hours. The spandex headband fits all sizes comfortably while the 4′ brim provides optimal sun protection.

For a great look in a winter visor, pick up the Polartec Powerstretch Beanie with a visor. This hat has the fit of a skull cap with the benefits of a more constructed design. The sun shading visor at the front also provides the ponytail hole at the back so you don’t have to readjust your hair when heading out for your activity. This is great for those who live in cold climates and understand that you can get sun exposure from snow and sun as well. A great fit that will hug your head comfortably while keep you warm.

These great looks in a sun visor will keep you protected through a variety of activities.

Play It Safe – Wear Sun Hats

The head must be protected from the heat and rays of the sun. If you happen to visit a beach or are out in the open country with a blazing sun, it’s advisable for you to wear a sun hat. A sun hat is not a fashion item, but required health protection. The sun’s rays can cause sun stroke and blisters on your scalp. If a person happens to be bald, their head can sweat profusely in the heat. Appropriate headgear is worn as part of the uniform by the defense forces of the world. This is to protect them from the rays of the sun. Sun rays can also cause skin diseases and skin cancer. Therefore, it is imperative to wear appropriate hats. If you are going to spend time outdoors in the sun, the hat you wear should have a wide brim so that the back of the neck, the forehead, and the ears, and sides of the face are protected from the sun’s rays.

When buying a hat, choose one that is made of a natural fiber such as cotton. There should also be small vents on the side of the hats. Natural fiber is cooler than synthetic fiber, and the vents will allow the flow of air on the scalp. When buying a sun hat, buy one that is of thick material and is white or some light color. White and light colored sun hats do not absorb the sun’s heat. So, they serve as additional protection for the head.

People who live in hot or tropical climates wear some form of headgear to protect their heads from the rays and heat of the sun. They wear it to safeguard their health. There are definite health benefits to wearing sun hats. One major health benefit is that your scalp will not get burnt, and also your chances of suffering from a sun stroke are reduced, and of course, your skin is protected from skin cancer, which may be caused by the ultra violet rays of the sun.

How long or thick your hair may be, it’s still advisable to wear a sun hat whenever you are out in the sun. Even if you are pottering around in the garden, or getting a sun tan, you must wear a sun hat. If you happen to have delicate skin, then it becomes all the more necessary to wear a hat.

So, wearing a proper hat that will protect your head and parts of your face is essential. The sun’s rays can cause serious skin damage. The skin takes a long time to heal from sunburn. So, why take a risk when wearing a hat will protect your head and is also beneficial for your health. In case you are going to a country where the temperatures are high and there is plenty of sunshine, remember to buy and take a sun hat. The biggest organ of the body is the skin and nobody wants to damage their skin.

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.

Frequent tanners may be lured by ‘feel-good’ effects of UV light

Frequent tanning bed users may be getting more out of the experience than darker skin. Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center say exposure to ultraviolet light may produce a “relaxing” effect that lures tanners back to the beds. “We believe that ultraviolet light has an effect on mood that tanners value,” said Steven Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., lead researcher. “This may be creating a reinforcing effect that influences tanning behavior.”

The research – involving 14 young adults who regularly used tanning beds –is reported in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, which is now available on-line. For six weeks, study participants had tanning sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays in two identical-looking tanning beds. They spend half of each session in one bed and half in the other. There was a key difference in the beds, however – only one used ultraviolet light (UV).

UV light occurs naturally in sunlight and is responsible for the tanning and burning effects of the sun. Artificial UV light is used in tanning beds and sunlamps.

Mood was measured before and after each tanning exposure. The results revealed greater relaxation and lower tension after UV exposure compared to non-UV exposure. The researchers theorize that UV exposure leads to the release of chemicals in the brain called endorphins that are linked to both pain relief and euphoric feelings.

“A more relaxed and less tense mood was reported after UV exposure compared to after non-UV exposure,” said Feldman. “We believe these relaxing and reinforcing effects contribute to tanning behavior and may help explain why people choose to tan despite the risks.”

During the six-week study, participants had the option of additional tanning on Fridays in either of the beds. Twelve of the subjects chose additional tanning – and for 95 percent of the sessions they chose the UV bed.

“There are probably many factors that influence the choice to tan frequently,” said Feldman, a professor of dermatology. “But we found that when subjects are offered tanning beds that differ only in the presence or absence of UV light, they choose the bed with UV light. Moreover, the choice of UV is associated with a sense of greater relaxation.”

Feldman said the finding is significant because, like other risky behaviors, it is important to understand why frequent tanners choose the activity. Exposure to UV through tanning has been shown to damage the genetic information in cells and is linked to the development of skin cancer. Despite this, there was a 300 percent increase in the number of indoor tanners in the United States between 1986 and 1996.

Most research into the motives for excessive tanning has focused on effects such as appearance. However, there is some previous evidence supporting a relaxation effect. Laboratory studies have shown a release of endorphins in response to ultraviolet light exposure. And, a survey of college students showed that relaxation was one of the most common reasons identified for tanning.

“Since we didn’t measure endorphins, we don’t know for sure that these substances are responsible for the phenomenon,” said Feldman. “But, our findings suggest a course for future research into why people use tanning beds and the mechanism of mood changes associated with tanning.”

The Chemistry of Tanning

It’s no coincidence that the process of turning animal skins into leather is called tanning. When people tan, UV radiation from the sun breaks down protein in our skin cells and causes, over time, wrinkles and leathery-looking skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. With major summer “beach time” remaining, here’s some information from the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, on how consumers can protect themselves and their families from the sun’s harmful rays:

Perfect tan made in the shade: Everyone knows that too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and premature aging. Everyone from Jennifer Aniston to your neighbor is using self-tanners to recreate that coveted bronze glow. But how do they work and are they safe? According to Chemical & Engineering News, self-tanners contain an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a nontoxic, simple sugar found in baby formula and fish oil. DHA turns skin brown in a process called the Maillard reaction, better known to food chemists for making beer golden brown. Proteins in our skin interact with sugars to create brown or golden-brown compounds. DHA doesn’t penetrate further than the outermost, dead layer of skin.

Making sense of sunscreens: From moisturizers to lipsticks, sales of personal care products formulated with sunscreen have exploded. The sun’s rays are more damaging now then ever because the earth’s protective ozone layer is depleted, but with 17 active sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the United States, how do you choose? According to Chemical & Engineering News, sunscreens with inorganic ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect and scatter UV light. Sunscreens made with organic ingredients like OMC and avobenzone absorb UV light and dissipate it as heat. SPF (sun protection factor) measures how effectively a sunscreen protects against UVB rays that burn skin.

Newer sunscreens offer greater protection against sun’s rays: Craig Bonda, a chemist at the C.P. Hall Company in Bedford Park, Ill., has developed a longer-lasting sunscreen that protects wearers against both UVB and UVA radiation. Until recently, most sunscreens protected only against UVB — the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. The newest sunscreens absorb or reflect the full spectrum of ultraviolet radiation, including UVA, which causes skin to age and wrinkle prematurely and may also cause certain skin cancers. Avobenzone, a chemical used in many full-spectrum sunscreens, loses its effectiveness upon prolonged exposure to the sun. Bonda found that avobenzone breaks down more slowly when the chemical DEHN is added.

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