The Bad News About Sun Scree s
26/06/10 13:17
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Dr. Sharon Ufberg
Integrative Practitioner, Health Journalist, Global Women's Health Activist
Posted: June 26, 2010 08:00 AM
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Ah, the summer sun is shining and we're all happily busting out our bikinis and bathing trunks in full anticipation of those warm days ahead on the beach, at the pool or on summer holiday. But before you pop open that tube of sunscreen and slather up you should be warned:
There is a major sunscreen scandal in our midst. The dilemma is more than just how much protection we really need or how many hours we may or may not be guarded from harmful rays. There is a lot more bad news brewing and I am here to tell all.
For starters, many, many sunscreens do not provide the UVA protection that they claim on their packaging. Nor are they actually waterproof or contain the SPF level they advertise. The FDA continues to postpone its regulating of sunscreen companies and their claims. No one is verifying that any particular sunscreen works. Same for lip balms and moisturizers with an SPF label.
Many of the sunscreens that claim to be "all natural" actually are full of petroleum and many other compounds not found in nature. Especially worrisome are the reports about the high SPF sunscreens labeled "especially for babies" or with the word baby in their advertising that have a chemical named oxybenzone in its ingredient list. This is not a healthy choice to slather on your baby!
So what can you do to make healthier and more informed choices about sun safety?
- An easy first step is to have a look at the Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Guide and find a safe and effective sunscreen to use this summer. Don't be shocked when all the sunscreens you have been using for years are on the list with hazardous ingredients.
- Start by wearing a long sleeve shirt and hat whenever you are going to be exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time or out in mid-day when the rays are strongest.
- Remember that some exposure to the sun is healthy. Choose early in the day or in late afternoon to get some sun and Vitamin D without getting burned. Spend more time in the sun as your skin becomes accustomed to the exposure.
- Sunscreens, even the good ones, need to be reapplied frequently to sufficiently protect your skin.
- Avoid all products that list Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and oxybenzone in their list of ingredients.
- Look for products that use zinc and titanium minerals to help give some protection from harmful UVA rays.
- Never use spray or powder sunscreens to avoid inhaling the chemicals into your lungs.
- Use the EWG website as a reliable source for more information about safe products and ingredients.
- Stay away from beauty magazine tips that are not properly screening their skincare product recommendations.
Sun Gloves for the most Unprotected Part of the Body
02/02/10 10:32
When I moved to Colorado from the Northeast several years back, I noticed a disturbing thing starting to happen - brown sun spots appearing on my hands and arms. I had always worn a hat to protect my face, but tended to neglect my hands and arms. Then I noticed in particular that the sun spots were appearing a lot more on my left arm than my right. I didn't know what to make of it until, one day when I was driving, it all became clear. The sun beating down on my hand and arm through the driver's side window was the culprit. I spent several hours a week driving and never even considered the implications of having my left hand at the mercy of the sun while holding the steering wheel.
I had never liked the idea or, frankly, the feeling slathering my skin with chemical sun screens. And I always suspected that they were not quite as effective as advertised. Indeed, several articles in recent years point out that the SPF ratings are exaggerated and that in order to be effective, chemical sun screens have to be applied very liberally and very often. What I preferred was something to wear to protect my hands and arms. I searched high and low, but could not find anything that both looked good and afforded suitable sun protection. That was when I decided that if you wanted something done right, do it yourself.
I experimented with different sun sleeve designs and fabrics until I homed in on just the right fit and feel. A sun sleeve that was comfortable to wear and a fabric that would provide sufficient UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and not cause over-heating. The sun sleeves I designed for the summer when I tended to wear short sleeve shirts and the sun gloves for cooler weather when I wore long sleeves anyway.
Sun glove and sun sleeves are useful for pretty much any outdoor activity. Hiking, cycling, gardening, golf or just walking. The feedback we are getting is that the sun gloves and sun sleeves are a handy addition to any active outdoor lifestyle.
Take a look at an old angler's and you'll get a pretty good idea of why sun gloves are a good idea. Of course, there's always sunscreen, but it tends to make slippery work of casting and line control, and who wants coconut-scented flies, anyway? The solution is a light, comfortable, fingerless glove made from quick-drying, UPF 50+ nylon/spandex fabric. Sun Gloves are easy to wear and easy to slip on and off. Your hands will thank you. But fishermen are not the only ones that can benefit from convenient hand protection. They are great for driving, hiking, gardening and beach play. The nylon spandex fabric is impervious to salt water. High quality and durable sun gloves and sun sleeves.
I had never liked the idea or, frankly, the feeling slathering my skin with chemical sun screens. And I always suspected that they were not quite as effective as advertised. Indeed, several articles in recent years point out that the SPF ratings are exaggerated and that in order to be effective, chemical sun screens have to be applied very liberally and very often. What I preferred was something to wear to protect my hands and arms. I searched high and low, but could not find anything that both looked good and afforded suitable sun protection. That was when I decided that if you wanted something done right, do it yourself.
I experimented with different sun sleeve designs and fabrics until I homed in on just the right fit and feel. A sun sleeve that was comfortable to wear and a fabric that would provide sufficient UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and not cause over-heating. The sun sleeves I designed for the summer when I tended to wear short sleeve shirts and the sun gloves for cooler weather when I wore long sleeves anyway.
Sun glove and sun sleeves are useful for pretty much any outdoor activity. Hiking, cycling, gardening, golf or just walking. The feedback we are getting is that the sun gloves and sun sleeves are a handy addition to any active outdoor lifestyle.
Take a look at an old angler's and you'll get a pretty good idea of why sun gloves are a good idea. Of course, there's always sunscreen, but it tends to make slippery work of casting and line control, and who wants coconut-scented flies, anyway? The solution is a light, comfortable, fingerless glove made from quick-drying, UPF 50+ nylon/spandex fabric. Sun Gloves are easy to wear and easy to slip on and off. Your hands will thank you. But fishermen are not the only ones that can benefit from convenient hand protection. They are great for driving, hiking, gardening and beach play. The nylon spandex fabric is impervious to salt water. High quality and durable sun gloves and sun sleeves.