Protection: A timeline

– 1. Ancient Egyptians used potions to ward off tan and also heal damaged skin. Some of those ingredients were rice bran extracts (today, gamma oryzanol), jasmine and Lupine extract.

– 2. Early 1930s: First sunburn cream produced by South Australian chemist HA Milton.

– 3. 1936: First sunscreen debuts by Eugene Schueller, founder of L’Oreal Company.

– 4. 1938: SPF factor developed. First commercially available screen had SPF 2.

– 5. 1944: Remember the Coppertone girl. She took a first bow this year

– 6. 1980: Coppertone developed the first UVA/UVB sunscreen.

Yes, and No: Are Sunscreens helpful, or harmful?

Dermatologists say you need sunscreen to protect you from the harmful effects of the sun

Why? Because ultraviolet radiation emanating from the sun are responsible for sunburns, tanning of the skin, skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and eye damage.

But Wait: if sunscreens are so good, and we use them so often, then why do we see…

– 1. 3X: the rates at which melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer – have increased 300 percent over the past 35 years.

– 2. One million: The number of skin cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States.

– 3. 65,000: The number of those that are melanoma.

– 4. One per hour: Deaths from melanoma.

– 5. Five: Number of years it takes for your skin to get totally back to normal after a sunburn

Facts:

– 20: Traditional number of years after exposure for skin cancer to develop

– 12: Age by which we get 80 percent of our lifetime sun exposure

The big LIE: Sunscreens are good at blocking UVB rays (the ones that burn) but not UVA (the ones primarily responsible for DNA damage and melanomas). Thanks a lot, FDA.

Some positive effects of UVA

– Helps with Vitamin D production: strengthens bones, muscles and the body’s immune system. It may lower the risk of getting some kinds of cancers such as coloncancer.

– Helps some skin conditions.

– Helps moods -sunlight stimulates the pineal gland in the brain to produce certain chemicals called ‘tryptamines’. These chemicals improve our mood.

FUN FACT: who sunbathes nude?

– 23 percent of surveyed Germans

– 8 percent, Spaniards

– 5 percent, French

– 2 percent, Americans, British

– 1 percent, Japanese

Meanwhile, nude or not, if you choose, sunscreens are available in many forms:

– 1. Gel sunscreen

– 2. Cream sunscreen

– 3. Sunscreen lotions

– 4. Sunscreen wipe

– 5. Spray sunscreen

– 6. Colored sunscreen

– 7. Powder sunscreen

– 8. A pill is now under development

If you have sensitive skin

– 1. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Use caution during these hours when in the sun.

– 2. If using sunscreen: try Paba free sunscreen – most sunscreens are now PABA-free oil-free sunscreen

– 3. Hypoallergenic, fragrance free sunscreen, chemical-free sunscreen

– 4. Mineral based sunscreen – the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sit on the skin instead of being absorbed into it

If you have acne: look for:

– 1. Light, oil free lotions will not clog pores

– 2. With chemical sunscreens avobenzone and oxybenzone

– 3. Non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) and is fragrance-free

If you have oily skin, look for:

– 1. Mineral oil-free sunscreen

– 2. Non-comedogenic sunscreen

– 3. Sunscreens that are oil free are usually water or gel based

If you’re a swimmer or outdoor sports “person,” look for:

– 1. Water-resistant or waterproof sun protection

– 2. The highest SPF you can find ( No sunscreen is 100 % water and sweat proof )

– 3. Keep away from your eyes

– 4. Re-apply after you get out of the water or every 2 hours

If you’ve got dry skin, look for:

– 1. Try creams or lotions with extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin and aloe.

– 2. Avoid sprays and gels with alcohol

SPF 15-30 Guide:

– 1. 15- 1/15 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 93%.

– 2. 30- 1/30 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 97%.

– 3. 50- 1/50 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 98%.

FACT: Don’t get fooled again. There is no rating system for UVA protection.

– 17: The number of active sunscreen ingredients approved by the FDA for use in sunscreens and sunblocks in the United States. These ingredients fall into two broad categories:

– Chemical and Physical: Most sunscreens now contain a mixture of both chemical and physical ingredients.

– 1. Chemical absorbers: absorbs the energy of UV radiation before it affects or damages your skin.

– 2. Physical Blockers: blockers like titanium oxide or zinc oxide, it is reflected and bounces away from the skin.

Truth or Fiction?

– You don’t need sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan.

– Fact: Everybody, regardless of race, ethnic origins and skin type is subject to the damaging effects of exposure to the sun.

– Suncreen, with SPF-15 provides twice as much protection as SPF-30.

– Fact: NO. Super High SPF numbers (SPF-100+) are mostly marketing ploys. SPF-30 is enough.

– Waterproof sunscreen provides “all day protection” and does not need to be reapplied.

– Fact: 40 minutes only. waterproof sunscreens loose some of their effectiveness after that.

– Cloudy days limit the power of the sun’s rays.

– Fact: 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through clouds.

– Using sunscreen will prevent skin cancer.

– Fact: No. No. And no. Some researchers even blame sunscreen use for encouraging people to stay in the sun longer than they should. Some of the chemicals used in sunscreen such as para-aminobenzoic (PABA), and oxbenzone, can be irritating.

Sources

– http://www.humantouchofchemistry.com/history-of-sunscreens.htm

– http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02309/

– http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/types-of-sunscreens.html

– http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/types-of-sunscreens.html

– http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/sunscreen-ingredients.html

– http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5999/10-Healing-Benefits-of-the-Sun.html

– http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts

– http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/sunscreen-facts.html

– http://www.marksdailyapple.com/apollo-would-be-appalled/#ixzz2XKR1DZ

Positive effects of the Sun’s UV rays

– http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/

– http://mediaroom.expedia.com/travel-news/expedia-flip-flop-report-1671#node-1671