BOOMj Expert: Let the sun shine! Skin care for the Age of Aquarius!

2008-07-17 11:40:27

With summer almost here, what better time to think sun protection? If you, like many of us boomers, grew up in the time when a sun reflector was considered a beauty tool, sun bathing was a competitive sport and iodine and baby oil substituted for what we now call sunscreen, you know what I’m talking about.  And you may already be seeing the effects of this skin abuse.

And J-ers, listen up. That tan looks great now but years from now those adorable freckles and healthy “glows” can become permanent damage that can only be treated with aggressive skin treatments.

Sun damage occurs deep in the dermis where targeted cells can incur rampant and irreversible free radical destruction – not to mention develop various forms of skin cancer. Products that promote skin “whitening” may help some but only for the most minimal, superficial damage. And even if you’re successful in getting rid of some of the brown spots, there are always persistent newbies just waiting to greet you. So by taking sun protection seriously now, you’ll eliminate the need for remedial treatments later on.

But alas, for those of you who, like me, grew up long before we knew about the dangers of unprotected beach blanket bingo, it’s not too late. That means using sunscreen religiously - every morning and after bathing or vigorous physical activity.  Keep some in your purse, backpack and gym bag.  Here’s why:

Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation from reaching the skin.  UVAUVBsUVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling and loss of elasticity.photoaging SP Most sunscreens with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher are best because, let’s say it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 theoretically prevents your skin from reddening for 15 times longer — about five hours. Another way to look at is, an SPF of 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 50 blocks 99 percent.  As much as 40 percent of the sun's radiation reaches earth on a completely cloudy day so don’t risk a serious burn by using no protection at all.

Most sunscreens combine different active chemical sunscreen ingredients in order to provide broad-spectrum protection. These generally include PABA derivatives, salicylates, and/or cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate) for UVB absorption; benzophenones (such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone) for shorter-wavelength UVA protection; and avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl), titanium dioxide, or zinc.

To ensure that you get the full SPF protection during a full day at the beach, you’ll need to use around one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle or more. Apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind with the skin. Then reapply the same amount every two hours especially after swimming.

Finally, invest in a formula that offers broad-spectrum protection and The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendationremember, don’t rely on sunscreen alone. Shade, cover-ups, hats and sun glassesguidelines all lower your risk of sun damage while helping you look younger and healthier longer. 

For natural skincare products that help heal while keeping skin looking youthful, healthy, clear and smooth, visit: www.optimal-outcome.com.

Questions about skincare?  Email me at skincare@boomj.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

In my next post I’ll talk about the latest treatments for existing sun damage including laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion and peels.

Check out my other BOOMj articles here: www.boomj.com/marjorieborell

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