Did You Know?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from tanning beds is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization.

Scientists have found that overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body’s immune system and the skin’s natural defenses. For example, the skin normally mounts a defense against foreign invaders such as cancers and infections. But overexposure to UV radiation can weaken the immune system, reducing the skin’s ability to protect against these invaders.

For more information visit epa.gov

Higher SPF?

Higher SPF?

Most of us have gone down the sunscreen aisle and had a panic attack.  There are so many different sunscreens to choose from!  Do you go with the “PABA” free, “dermatologist tested”, “hypoallergenic”, “all natural”?  Oh, but wait…that’s just the beginning, then you have to determine what SPF (sun protection factor) to chose.  Well, most of us are lead towards the highest SPF up there for our kids.  I have seen it countless times, us moms lathering up our kiddos with SPF 100 and higher.  Man, if scientist found a way to protect us THAT MUCH, how is it we still have an ozone problem?

Well, what the big companies are not saying is that, anything higher than SPF 50 is useless.  I have recently heard anything higher than SPF 35, but I cannot remember the source, so don’t quote me on 35.  Yes, you read right, anything higher than SPF 50 has not been proven to be beneficial.  It turns out you are paying more $$ for false advertisement.  In 2007, the FDA released a report stating that SPF higher than 50 are not proven truthful and are “inherently misleading”.  They became flooded with data from sunscreen makers claiming that their higher SPF’s work.  The agency has yet to respond.  This is why we still see SPF 100+ on the store shelves.

As a matter of fact, consumers who use higher than SPF 50 are more likely to have higher exposure to UV rays than people relying on lower SPF.  How is this the case?  People put their trust in the product they purchase and assume it will do what the label says and they also do not reapply as often as someone who uses, say, SPF 35.

For the record:

• use an SPF of 15 or higher
• limit time in the sun, especially between 10am-2pm when the sun’s rays are the hottest
• Reapply (this is the most important) every 2 hours, more so if swimming or sweating.  Rule of thumb is a shot glass full each time.

Next summer the FDA will be regulating all sunscreen bottles because marketing on them has become outrageous.  I do not necessarly agree with this, however, if consumers will be given truthful information to protect themselves, I’m all in.  You can find out more on the FDA Website.
 
Tan Healthy!

EWG Skin Deep