Sunscreens

Remember this ad for Coppertone Suntan Lotion?   

At the time our mothers were being encouraged to slather us down with “suntan lotion” to help protect our delicate skin with a whopping SPF 2 or 4 or something like that.  SPF wasn’t even a measurement at the time.

In the 60’s, any self respecting beach girl wanna-be could be found at the local swimming pool, lake, or lying out in the back yard, glistening in the hot afternoon sun.  We had bought our large bottle of baby oil and mixed some iodine in it (for that summer “glow) and then baked all day in the sun.  Of course we burned our skin, got water blisters on our faces and shoulders, suffered through days of excruiating pain, peeled and then started over.  All in pursuit of that “healthy” summer tan.  Brown was beautiful.  Brown fat looks better than white fat……..UUGGGHHHH!

“Today, we know there’s no such thing as a “healthy” tan. Although advertising once conditioned us to see tanning as attractive, studies have proven that both sunburns and tanning assault the skin’s DNA. As this knowledge has become accepted, so has the importance of high-SPF protection. While low-SPF formulas enhanced tanning, modern broad-spectrum sunscreens with high SPFs are designed to prevent tanning as well as burning. It has been a total revolution in the way sunscreens are used.

The Skin Cancer Foundation led this revolution. The original concept of SPF (which signifies how many times longer it takes for the sun to redden your skin when you’re using a given sun protection product, versus how long it would take to redden without protection) was developed in 1962 by Swiss researcher Franz Greiter. However, it was the late 1970’s when the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee (a panel of experts on the damaging effects of UVR) established strict requirements for sun protection products, calling for (among other things) SPFs of 15+.”  Skin Cancer Foundation

Have you been down the sunscreen aisle lately?  There has to be about a zillion different brands, SPF factors, scents, colors, etc. of sunscreens.  How do you pick the one that is right for you?  I used to look for a high SPF and a low price.  I didn’t care if it smelled good (after all that only attracts bugs) or if it had those little “reflective” additives that give you some fake glow.  I only wanted protection for pennies.  Well, as I have studied sunscreens lately I have found that there is so much more to think about.  Now I plan to take an entire afternoon to browse that aisle reading labels.

What Type of Sunscreen Should I Use?

“The answer depends on how much sun exposure you’re anticipating. In all cases we recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Many after-shave lotions and moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes here and there in the sun. However, if you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, you need stronger, water-resistant, beachwear-type sunscreen that holds together on your skin. The “water resistant” and “very water resistant” types are also good for hot days or while playing sports, because they’re less likely to drip into your eyes. However, these sunscreens may not be as good for everyday wear. They are stickier, don’t go as well with makeup, and need to be reapplied every two hours.

Many of the sunscreens available in the US today combine several different active chemical sunscreen ingredients in order to provide broad-spectrum protection. Usually, at least three active ingredients are called for. 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^TM), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum.”  Skin Cancer Foundation

I’ve come to my own conclusion that sunscreens with titanium or zinc base are the healthiest.  They are more natural and have fewer chemicals that can cause free radicals in my body.  This is a personal choice.  Everyone should study and choose what fits their lifestyle.  Whatever you choose, just choose to wear sunscreen.  Get your kids used to the idea that sunscreen is vitally important.  Not only is it safer for them now but when they are 50+ like me, they will be ever so thankful for their healthy, young looking skin!