healingways
Are You Protected from Florida Sun?
H
ave you ever wondered why, with thousands of sun protection products on the market, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer? Here’s the latest research on sun protection so that you have everything you need to know to keep your family protected this summer. The fi rst choice to make is whether to use sunscreen or sunblock. Dermatologist Charlene DeHaven explains that sunscreen “work[s] by absorbing solar energy and transforming it into a chemical reaction, thus preventing transfer of this energy to skin.” Sunblock, she continues, works by “prevent[ng solar energy from striking the skin by defl ecting the sun’s rays.” Especially for children I recommend choosing a zinc-oxide-based sunblock because it is more gentle than sunscreen, and most of the time it will not burn if it gets in or near the eyes. Dr. DeHaven warns against sunscreen for children and those with sensitive skin: “As SPF increases, the risk of skin sensitivity which is particularly common in young
children and those with sensitive and fair skin, increases. Chemical sunscreens can cause photosensitivity and, when exposed to the sun, severe skin infl ammation or even blistering can result.” Moreover recent studies show that “zinc oxide provides the most extensive protection throughout both the UVA and UVB ranges of solar energy,” which, in my opinion, makes sunblock the best all-around choice.
Even though UVA and UVB rays both cause damage to the skin, a product’s sun protection factor (SPF) refers to the amount of time the product extends protection against UVB rays. If I start to burn after 15 minutes of sun exposure, for example, an SPF15 would extend that by 15 times: from 15 minutes to 3 hours and 45 min. This does not necessarily mean a higher SPF is better. There is a false sense of security in higher numbers, and most folks using a high SPF won’t reapply often enough, if at all. In addition to choosing a natural sunblock rather than a sunscreen, two fi nal tips: apply sunblock before leaving the house and before getting into your swimsuit. This gives the product adequate time to absorb and ensures that all potentially exposed skin is covered. It is easy to have a sun-safe summer in Florida—just take an extra few minutes to slather on some sunblock! References: DeHaven, Charlene. “Sunscreens: What You (and Your Clients) Need to Know.” Skin Inc Magazine. May 2014. Web. July 08 2014. Lisa Kenney is the Lead Esthetician
at TSecret located in College Park (1520 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, 32804). Their August Product of the Month: Porcelain SPF30 is a Sunblock & Day Cream for the face and body (made with 100% natural ingredients). To contact Lisa or to learn more about TSecret, visit
www.tsecret.com
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Central Florida natural awakenings
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