Summer Sun ~ Safe and Fun

The sun fascinates me. Sunshine is vital to life and yet it's power can do so much damage. Although most of us like to spend time outdoors, the sun is your skin's worst enemy. Sun exposure is the primary cause of premature aging, brown spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer.

If you are a trivia buff, here are some interesting facts about the sun you can share at your next dinner party. The sun is located 93 million miles away from the earth. If you could drive to the sun from the earth at 60 miles per hour, it would take you 176 years to get there. It takes more than 8 minutes for sunlight to actually reach the earth once it leaves the sun. The sun is so far away and yet some days it appears as if it's right on top of us.

With such an expanse between the earth and the sun, how can it do so much damage? The power of the sun should never be underestimated. The sun itself is 60 times hotter than boiling water. But it's not just the heat, it's what else the sun emits that can be the most dangerous-ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There is no question that ultraviolet radiation from the sun is dangerous. The ozone layer near the Earth's surface can deflect ultraviolet radiation; however, it cannot absorb all of the radiation emitted from the sun. In addition, pollution continues to deplete the ozone layer, exposing us to more ultraviolet radiation than ever before.

There are three different types of ultraviolet radiation-UVA, UVB, and UVC, depending on the wavelength. About 99 percent of the radiation that reaches the earth is UVA. While UVA does not produce sunburn like UVB, it still contributes to aging skin and skin cancer. UVB, while in limited quantity, is more intense and is the radiation that actually causes sunburn.

This summer, take care of your skin, and be smart about the protection you choose to use.

Physical blocks vs. chemical screens
Zinc Clear (does not leave your skin looking ghostly white) and titanium dioxide are two outstanding sun blocks. These micronized (nano) minerals are put into formulas to reside on the surface of your skin (the outer most layer AKA stratum corneum) and provide a physical shield to reflect the suns ultraviolet rays. These nano minerals are designed to reflect the damaging rays and provide a shear finish without the ghostly white look. If applied to an open cut, these nano minerals could possibly enter the bloodstream, so we do not recommend applying to an open wound. It would be best to cover the wound with a Band-Aid or something alike. Micronized minerals are the safest sun protection next to staying out of the sun.

Chemical sun screens on the other hand are absorbed by the skin and when activated (about 15 to 20 min after application) will destroy ultraviolet light for a limited time. It is important to reapply chemical sun screens since they become inactive depending on the SPF they offers. The chemicals used to provide the sun protection are have come under major scrutiny in the past decade. It is thought that excessive use of these chemical sun screens could actually put one at more risk for skin cancer. Physical blocks will work as long as you allow them to remain on your skin. So look for sun protection products that offer Zinc ClearTM and Titanium Dioxide for the most non-toxic sun protection available.

Use It
Sun protection only works if you apply it daily. Even if you are not planning on playing in the sun, wear it over your favorite nourishing cream in the am daily to protect against reflective rays off water, buildings, and even concrete! If you are spending the day at the beach, reapply after swimming.

No such thing as a healthy tan
The so called healthy glow (pink, red burned skin) that most think is a status symbol, is in fact a statement of ignorance. Smart, educated people use self tanners and sun shields (physical mineral blocks) to protect against skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. This pink, red color is actually a burn that causes inflammation of the skin, which leads to scar tissue and loss of elasticity. Repeated insults to the skin such as a sunburn ultimately lead to thick scarred skin that is unable to hold water and is void of collagen and elastin, much resembling the look of leather. Hyperpigmetation, brown spots and melasma are additional side effects of long term and repeated exposure.

Tanning beds
In 2000, the National Toxicity Program and the National Institutes of Health added tanning beds and sunlamps to the list of known cancer-causing agents. Many studies have confirmed the link between skin cancer and "intentional exposure to ultraviolet radiation" (tanning beds and sun bathing). So, the take-away message on tanning beds and sun bathing is, no, it's not safe.

Avoid peak heat
Avoid direct sun light between 10 am and 3 pm. This is the most intense time of day that the sun is most dangerous. Seek shade, wear a hat and limit direct sun exposure as much as possible. In addition to avoiding the direct sunlight, try to avoid intense heat, since it is thought to be a burden on the skin and may damage the skin's protein.

Did You Know?
Compared to the earth, the sun is huge. For perspective, if the sun were the size of a basketball, the Earth would be the size of the head of a pin! It's the largest, most powerful object in our solar system.

Sun facts

• Snow, sand, water, concrete and glass reflect sunlight.
  
• Clouds do not protect you from the damaging UV rays.
  
• The higher the altitude the more intense the sun gets (6% every 1000 feet).
  
• The sun is responsible for the majority of melanoma.
• The sun's UV rays can penetrate many types of clothing.
• Dry, dehydrated skin, burns more easily than well hydrated skin.
• The sun can damage your eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers.
  

Sun tips

• Protect newborns from the sun
• Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your scalp; baseball caps do not protect the sides of your face
• Always protect your children's skin; repeated and early long term sun exposure can increase skin cancer risk exponentially