Sunscreen And Anti-Oxidant Fact Sheet
About Sunscreens/Sunblocks
FDA monograph and Australian Standard
Photo-protection means Slip!Slop!Slap!® for everyone!
This catchy slogan is from a hugely successful Australian health program, first in stemming the rising tide of skin cancer.
Damage (wrinkling, age spots, skin cancer, and cataracts) occurs even in the absence of redness!
Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. Look for shade trees, parasols and stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the harmful ultraviolet rays peak.
Use SPF30 or higher sunscreen/cosmetics labeled ‘broad-spectrum’ every time you are going to be in the sun for over 20 minutes. Better yet, use sun blocks (they have micronized zinc and/or titanium) year-round, and regardless of skin type! Apply to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors (even on cloudy days!) and re-apply every 2 hours and after being in water or perspiring. Some sunblocks are especially formulated to 'hang in there' when you are going to be sweating a lot, or in the water Don’t forget risk areas (ears, neck, hands, and lips) Use lip balm that contains sunscreen!
We can assist if you have to work around an existing skin condition, or are sensitive to sunscreens. Throw out sunscreens after three years.
Cover up when you must be in the sun. Wear hat with a wide brim that shades all of the face and neck, sunglasses that provide “100% UV protection,” and tightly knit clothing (long sleeves and pants). Tighter weaves are more protective. Dark synthetic fabrics provide best protection, but cotton blends are more comfortable in heat and humidity. Specifically designed ‘sun-safe’ clothing, as well as laundry additives that boost clothing’s protective function is available.
Avoid deliberate tanning. Not in the sun, not in a tanning salon! Sunscreen does not make sunbathing safe. (SPF15 filters out 93% of harmful UVA&B rays, SPF30: 97%). So you can see that an SPF60 is not going to let you get away with being in the sun four times as long as an SPF15!! Must have that tan? A good sunless tanning lotion will create a natural look and not turn your skin orange.
Protect children. Babies less than 6 months of age should not be in the sun. It may be safe to apply small amounts of sunscreen to an infant’s face and the back of the hands when adequate clothing and shade are not available. Use SPF30 on children over 6 months old.
What if you do get sunburned? It may take 24 hours before the full damage is visible.
First-degree burns cause redness and pain, but should heal within a few days, often with some peeling. Take cool baths and apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and bland moisturizers. Aspirin taken early may lessen the degree of sunburn. Avoid “-caine” (benzocaine, etc.) products: They can bring on sensitivity to a multitude of chemicals.
Second-degree sunburns blister. When a burn involves a large area, or comes with a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help right away. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter. The link between sunburn and melanoma is especially strong for those who suffered severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence.
About Anti-Oxidants
All day, every day, the environment bombards us to damaging compounds called free radicals. They are powerful molecules that damage the integrity of our skin. We have all heard about the health effect of having anti-oxidants in our diets (eat your Broccoli!), but these free radical scavengers are also available in skin care products. And they help protect us from premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles, blotchy pigmentation, redness and skin cancer.