June 1, 2006 YOU CAN HAVE FUN IN THE SUN IF YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES We humans can't stay indoors all the time and we do enjoy going out on a bright sunny day. Dermatologists have warned for years, however, that exposure to solar rays can induce skin cancer--including the life threatening melanoma---and speed the aging of skin. Here are some of the questions and the answers about how to have fun in the sun without jeopardizing your skin: What's the difference between UVA and UVB? The "burning” sun rays are ultraviolet B (UVB) that peak during mid-day. The "aging rays" are believed to be the ultraviolet A (UVA) because they penetrate deeper into the skin and cause cumulative damage. UVA radiation does not cause the painful sunburn which is a result of exposure to UVB radiation therefore it is hard to detect. UVA was once thought to be "safe" but now researchers report both UVA and UVB can increase the risk of skin cancer. How Do I know Which Sunscreen to Choose? * Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure to all uncovered skin except the eyelids. * Make sure it is a "broad spectrum" product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays * Use at least a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 but if you are fair skinned, increase your protection to a SPF of 25 or more. The SPF number is based on the multiplication of the time it would take you to first turn slightly red from the sun. That is if your skin begins to turn pink after ten minutes, a product with SPF of 15 would theoretically keep you from sunburning for 150 minutes under ultraviolet radiation. Recognize, however, that SPF 30 does not give twice the protection of SPF 15. SPF 15 absorbs 93 percent of the sunburning rays, and SPF 30 absorbs 97 percent. * Choose a sunscreen that says it is” noncomedogenic” (doesn’t cause blackheads) * Make sure it is “waterproof.” If you lap swim or play tennis or golf, or other outdoor activity that involves water or a lot of sweating. * Reapply your sunscreen about every two hours when out-of-doors. * Wear a sunscreen all year around because you can get casual sun exposure during any season. Many don’t wear sunscreen in the winter because they feel it's impossible for the skin to be sun damaged in the cold weather. In fact, UVA rays reflect off snow and levels increase at higher elevations, which is where you find skin resorts and mountain climbers. * If you are allergic to sunscreen chemicals, try zinc oxide cream, which is a sunblock (an opaque substance that physically blocks the sun's rays). How do I know how strong the sun is on a particular day? Take special precautions when the National Weather Service's daily ultraviolet (UV) radiation index predicts UV exposure levels of moderate and above (5-10+) or near surfaces that reflect the sun's rays, such as water, snow and sand. Many newspapers, radio and TV stations report the UV index in the summer. There is a watchlike device offered on the Internet Wireless Alarm Products, Inc. & Digital Cookware, Inc. Personal UV exposure device. Measures UVA and UVB radiation. Provide time and temperature and percent UV exposure based on skin type. Contact Information Wireless Alarm Products, Inc. & Digital Cookware, Inc. 8102 Lemont Road Suite 900, Woodridge, IL 60517-7760 ; Phone: 888-442-6256 or 630-427-1391;mail: wirealarm@aol.com. The price is listed as $ 79.95. There is another sun warning product, a dime size device could help you avoid sunburn. Created by researches at the Israeli based Skyrad, which is associated with the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The sticker changes color upon over exposure to the sun's rays. The sticker comes in versions for use with or without sunscreen, and versions for six skin types ranging from very light to very dark. The personal disposable warning patch changes color to warn you when to reapply suntan lotion and to get out of the sun. No price is given but the company says the patch, which looks like a Smiley, is “cost effective. For more information check: http://www.skyrad.co.il/ What kind of clothing will protect me from the sun? A long sleeved shirt, pans, hats with a brim all around and sunglasses. For optimum protection, fabrics should be dark, tightly woven or knitted, and made of fibers that are opaque. Unbleached cotton, wool, and polyester offer good protection but denim is probably the best. White bleached cotton or crepe fabrics, are relatively transparent to UV. Special clothing with UV absorbers in the fiber increase protection. Washing and stretching may decrease a fabrics SPF since it is the "pores" in the fabric that let the sun's rays through. Swimming in a wet T-shirt, for example, may cut the SPF of a shirt in half because water tends to increase UV radiation's affect. Although I haven’t tried them myself, there are many sun protective clothing offered on the webs, most seem to be made of Australian fabric. A sample: * UVsunware Clothing has with a line of "funware" products designed to provide maximum protection from solar radiation. They say they use a specialized Austrialian fabric that is awarded the highest rating possible -UVP 50+. This means the fabric blocks 98% or more of all the ultra-violet rays. http://www.uvsunware.com/. * Known in Australia as a "rash shirt", this type of UV protective swim wear was originally developed around the Great Barrier Reef where the sun can be brutal. The Men’s Long-sleeve Swim Shirts are designed to be slightly loose fitting and to look great on shore or in the water. Long-sleeve style for extended periods on the water or high sun sensitivity. The aqua SUNTECT™ fabric retains its shape, has superior chlorine and salt water resistance and is rated to block 98% UV. http://www.coolibar.com/03505.html * Lisa, who provides a full line of UV-protective apparel, lotions, sunglasses, hats, umbrellas and shelters, says she had melanoma, a potentially fatal skin cancer associated with sun damage. She started her company, Shady Lady Products, to help protect customers from sun damage because she says it is almost impossible to stay out of the sun. http://www.shadyladyproducts.com. Will car windows protect me from the sun? Not entirely. The windows and windshield in cars do reduce exposure to UVB but only the windshield comes partially treated against UVA. Car windows block little or no UVAs and according to Sun and Skin News of the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin damage is greater on the left side of the body in American drivers and on the right side of the body in Australian drivers whose autos are equipped with right-hand drive. When Is the Best Time To Be In The Sunshine? Providing you are properly sun screened, before 10 am and after 4 pm. +++ FOR THE SKIN SENSITIVE Are you more than annoyed by garment labels that are in the back of your shirt or blouse? Do you bear the imprint of the waistband on your pants? A private South Carolina textile-chemical company, Milliken, has come up with a collection of clothes that when worn next to the skin provide soothing relief if you have an itchy, dry, sensitive skin associated with chronic skin conditions. There are an estimated 30 million people in the United States who are affected by eczema, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis. Named DermaSmart, the fabric is a silk, soft jersey knit made of lightweight, breathable 100 percent microfiber polyester. The fabric contains silver, which is a natural antimicrobial that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The garments are made with smooth flat seams and sewn with special soft sewing thread. And of course, the garment labels are heat sealed into the fabric so they don’t scratch or irritate the skin. The website is www.dermasmart.com. +++ CHEERS FOR CHOCOLATE The manufacturers of the hard-to-resist products of the cocoa bean are doing a good job of convincing us that chocolate is the new health food. They are even working on cocoa-based products that are being referred to as chococeuticals. Dark chocolate has been linked may contain healthy substances called flavonoids. Most plants and vegetables contain flavonoids, which are believed to block receptor sites for certain hormones that promote cancers. Flavonoids are also thought to influence the functioning of minute blood vessels. Among the scientific studies underway: * How much of a cocoa-based product must be consumed to provide a health benefit. * Do cocoa-based products improve mental functions? * How does cocoa chemicals and chocolate affect blood flow? * Can chocolate help you achieve a reduction in weight by making you feel satisfied? * Are your spirits raised with chocolate because of its reputed ability to raise the happiness chemicals in the brain, the endorphins? In the meantime, chocolatiers are experimenting with new flavor combinations, including chili-flavored and lavender and they are producing a number of products at or below the 100 calorie threshold.
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