Protect your Skin this Summer
By the Editor | June 20, 2011
It’s the summer and while you proceed to spend some fun in the sun with your family and friends, it’s important that you properly protect your skin from overexposure—too much sun can lead not only to painful sunburns, but skin cancer and early skin aging such as unattractive wrinkles and sun spots as well.
But when it comes to selecting the best sunscreen for you and/or your family, sometimes it’s confusing. So confusing in fact, that the Food and Drug Administration has mandated new sun screen regulations so that consumers can better understand labels and get the protection they need.
Under the new regulations, which will take effect next summer, sunscreens will now have to pass a “broad spectrum” test before they can be placed on the market. This test will ensure that the lotion protects against both UVA rays (which causes sunburn) and UVB rays (which causes premature skin aging/cancer)—something that was not mandated in the past. Only approved lotions with an SPF value of 15 or higher can claim to minimize the risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin (thus protecting against UVA and UVB rays); those with an SPF value between 2 and 14 can only claim to help prevent sunburn.
In addition, lotions will no longer be able to be labeled as “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” or even use the term “sunblock.” The only acceptable label that can be used is “water-resistance” and even then, manufactures must clearly explain how long the lotion will remain effective, either in 40 or 80 minutes increments.
With that said, until the new regulations take effect next year, here are a few tips to take into consideration when choosing a sunscreen for you or your family this summer:
- Lotions with an SPF value of 15 are ideal. This is because experts say they provide about 92 percent protection from the sun’s radiation; those that are higher are typically more expensive and only provide slightly more protection. For measure, an SPF value of 40 only provides about 97.5 percent of protection. Experts also say that higher SPFs also have a higher concentration of ingredients which can result in user’s having an increase in skin break outs, skin irritation and skin sanitization.
- Users should reapply lotion at least every 2 hours, more frequently if the lotion does not claim water-resistance and you swim or sweat.
- A good amount for each application is about a shot-glass full of lotion—this should cover the entire body. Remember to protect your lips as well.
- Try to give yourself a time limit for sun exposure, especially during the periods of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a time where the sun’s rays are the highest.
- Lastly, do not solely depend on lotion to safe-guard your skin. Use extra precautions such as wearing wide brim hats, long sleeve shirts, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Author Bio:
This guest post is contributed by Leslie Johnson, who writes about health, green living, parenting related articles at masters in health administration.
Topics: Skin Cancer, Skin Care, Skin Damage, Skin Problems, Skin Science, Sun Damage | No Comments »
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