Nothing is sexier than Sunscreen!

So this summer, what are you wearing?

What ever you wear, make sure that you have the best accessory you can carry with you: Sunscreen. Although that tan may make you look sexy, the effect of the golden brown skin may not have the results you wanted. Even with darker skinned individuals, sunscreen should be apart of your every day regimen.

For years, in fashion, we said “brown is beautiful”  but with recent awareness on our environmental changes and cancer developments, we have been shown what the sun can really do to our bodies and earth.

So how did tanning become so TABOO?

During the 1980’s, our ozone layer has been substantially depleted by technological advancement, produced by humans. Chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), halons, and other gases remain in the atmosphere, to this day, which have contributed to the depletion of ozone.

Why is Ozone so important?

Ozone is found approximately 6 miles up in the atmosphere. Although only makes up about 0.001% of the atmosphere, it is important for protecting the earth from harmful, high energy radiation from the sun.

            Ozone can be created and destroyed by the actions of light and photochemistry. The thickness of the ozone depends on the balance of these processes. It is the addition of the CFCs, Halons and other gases that destroy ozone, that effect the amount of ozone that is in our atmosphere.

            Ozone measurements have been steadily worsened during the 1980’s and most of the 1990’s. Recently Bromine and Chlorine has been stabilized and have had no increase of those chemicals have been released into the atmosphere. This is due to the awareness of such chemicals having this effect on our ozone. Many laws have been created to restrict and limit companies’ use of those chemicals. Although they were able to stabilize the Bromine and Chlorine levels, CFC’s and halons still remain in the atmosphere because they can only be removed by natural processes. Unfortunately, those chemicals do not break down so quickly. So it will be well in to the middle of the 21^st century before we see a recovery of ozone in the atmosphere.

All this damage to the ozone has exposed us to more harmful radiation from the sun, such as UVA and UVB rays. Not only does it increase our chances in skin cancers, but it contributes to an over production of vitamin D, cataracts, and effects other creatures on our planet from their habitats to their production of new life. (Wikipedia and Earth System Research Laboratory)

So what does sunscreen do against UVA and UVB rays from the sun and why is it important to get protection against both?

Sunscreens can protect you in 2 ways:

1. by shattering and reflecting sun light from the body
2. by absorbing it before it reaches your skin

      The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures the amount of protection from UVB (Ultra Violet B) radiation from the sun. UVB is the radiation that causes sunburns and also increases your risk of skin cancer. Research now shows that although UVA (Ultra Violet A) radiation may not cause skin to burn, but may also increase your risk of skin cancer. This type of radiation is what causes wrinkles in skin because is deeply penetrates the skin and causes sun damage.

            A minimal of SPF 15 should be worn by all but if you have fair skin, history of cancer, or have a light sensitive condition, such as Lupus, then you should think about a sunscreen that has SPF 30 and up.

            Remember, that even if you use a SPF sunscreen of 30 doesn’t mean you have twice the protection of 15. The increase of blocking UVB rays only increases a small percentage.

            You can tell when UVB rays have damaged your skin because you will see/feel sunburn on the skin, but you have no way of knowing right away if your skin is being damaged by the UVA rays. So it is important to look at the ingredients on the sunscreen that contain the following: ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide.  These will help with UVA rays.

           

        When you do purchase a sunscreen, make sure it contains ingredients that protect again a broad spectrum (UVA & UVB) rays. Ingredients with broad-spectrum protection include benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and ecamsule (Mexoryl SX).

Adam Sandler in Billy Madison singing "Suntan Lotion is good for me; It protects me tee hee hee!"

       So when and how often should you put on sunscreen?

     You should always start putting on the sunscreen about 15-30 minutes before you go out side. Also, for the best effectiveness, applying sunscreen on the body every 2 hours is best (no matter what the SPF number is) and if you are sweating or swimming, apply more often.

            There is sweat and water resistant sunscreens but know that that does not mean “waterproof”. You should still reapply as needed for better protection. All that “water resistance” means is that the sunscreen will continue to have SPF effectiveness for about 40-80 minutes (depending on the water resistance), even when wet. Always reapply, as needed.

            Sunscreen will never fully protect you from the sun. You should still wear hats, stay under shade, wear sunglasses, wearing sun-protective clothing (with a sun protective rating), or avoid being in the sun between 10am-4pm, when the sun it at it’s strongest. (Web MD)

Ultimately, we wear the sunscreens to help protect us from skin damage and skin cancers. I don’t think you can read any magazine, watch any news program, or talk to anyone in our lives that have not been effected by cancer, in some way or another. Our recent awareness has shaped the way we live our lives now. Everything we eat or do revolve around preventing or recovering from cancer.

Extreme Tanner- known as "Tanning Mom" in the news. They thought she was mistreating her child. She was accused of letting her young 6 year daughter go tanning with her at a local NJ salon. 

So what are the facts about skin cancer that will make you want to always wear sunscreen?

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 2 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are found in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 75,000 cases of skin cancer in 2012.

These types of skin cancer are classified as non-melanomas. They usually start in the basal cells or squamous cells, which is how they get their names. These cells are found at the base of the outer layer of the skin.

Most non-melanoma skin cancers develop on sun-exposed areas of the body, like the face, ear, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. Depending on the type, they can be fast or slow growing, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Basal cell or squamous cell cancers are highly likely to be cured if found and treated early

            Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes – the cells that produce the skin coloring or pigment known as melanin. Melanin helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Melanoma is almost always curable when it is found in its very early stages. Although melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancer, it is far more dangerous than other skin cancers and causes most skin cancer deaths.

Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 75,000 cases of skin cancer in 2012. It accounts for almost 9,000 of the nearly 12,000 skin cancer deaths each year (American Cancer Society)

There are so many choices in sunscreen out there. There are more high-end brands and more economical brands. The price of the sunscreen is not important to the amount of protection it provides, but knowing what to look for should help make your decision based on the ingredients. Most of all, pick the sunscreen that offers the most protection for the activities you are doing and feels comfortable on you. Also remember that sunscreens do expire. So when applying a sunscreen that is out-dated, you should know that the effectiveness is reduced.

And do you still want to be a “Brown Betty”? Try sunless tanners and sprays. Most of them have improved over the years on smell and color. You can find some good quality self tanners now in most drug stores and beauty counters.

Happy Shopping!