How To Stay Sun-Safe

Summer is officially here (yay) and soaking up the rays while outdoors is definetly a great thing. Of coarse too much of a good thing can sometimes be a bad thing. Too much sun can lead to sunburn, pre-mature aging/wrinkles, and cancer. Here are a few safety measures to keep in mind the next time you're out basking in that summer sun:

Slather It On Baby

Okay, so most of us know that slathering on the sunscreen is a given when wanting to guard against the sun's UV rays. Here are a few things to keep in mind when applying sunscreen. Apply 15-30 minutes before going outside, pay attention to the "at risk" areas like the ears, face, hands, and arms. Choose a water-proof sunblock and use it liberally and reapply it after swimming. I like to use an all natural sunscreen that blocks UVB and UVA rays and is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Use Safe Sunscreens
According to the Food and Drug Administration some sunscreens do more harm than good. Retinly palmitate found in many sunscreens may increased the rate of skin tumors. Here are some other harmful ingredients to look out for in your sunscreen:

Oxybenzone or Octylmethoxycinnamate (OCM)- disrupts the endocrine system

Nano-particles of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) & Zinc oxide (ZnO)- can reach different parts of the body and cause DNA damge linked to cancer

Can't Rely On SPF Alone
SPF=Sun Protection Factor. It measures a sunscreen's ability to protect primarily against UVB radiation. It doesn't measure the protection of UVA rays which penetrates deep in the skin causing aging, burns, and damage. The best possible UVA protection from any sunscreen is 20, so this means that if you're outside longer than 20 minutes reapplying sunscreen every 20 minutes is needed for protection.

Work Those Shades
Recently someone told me that when they went to get their yearly eye exam, the doctor told them their eyes were sunburned. Who would of thought...sunburned eyes. That gives me all the more reason to continue to sport my shades...so glad owning so many pairs is not in vain after all. Sunglasses can protect around the eye and inside the eyes. They guard against wrinkles/premature aging of skin and cataracts. Look for sunglasses that block 99 percent of UVB rays and a least 95 percent UVA rays.  

Be A Daily User
One might not think to put on the sunscreen when doing simple tasks like washing the car or sight-seeing. But wearing sunscreen daily reduces the risk of skin cancer. So look for lip balms, lotions, moisturizers and makeup with added sun protection.

Cover Up
I must admit that I often "forget" (code for too lazy) to put sunscreen on my entire body everyday. But I figured clothing can be another effective way for getting some type of protection. According to International Agency for Research on Cancer, sunscreen isn't the most effective means of protection. Using clothing  as a barrier against the sun's UV rays is the most effective means of protection. I'm a fan of light weight long-sleeved shirts/cardigan or cotton paints, big brimmed hats, and lounging under a beach umbrella. Keep in mind that UV radiation is at it's strongest when the sun is directly over head so try to avoid outside activities at this time.

Sip On Green Tea
Green tea is great for a lot of things in particularly the skin. It's rich in antioxidants(polyphenols) that prevent melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. It also prevents sun damage to the skin and photo aging. Curious to know more about the benefits of green tea...check out this blog post, "Green Tea Please."


*information sourced from Amazing Wellness magazine (summer 2011)