No Nonesense

There are some topics that are just so juicy they ooze sexiness, like the new come hither mascara or the cleavage enhancing bronzing technique...and then there are the other subject matters. Topics not as enticing or delicious but equally if not more important, like sun protection, an apt subject matter for the summer season and upcoming 4th of July holiday. So for the next few posts we will focus on the ins, outs and in-betweens of suncare. It won’t be juicy (think grade school sex ed vs experiential learning) but at least you will be become an expert in properly protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. With the incidence of melanoma not only on the rise but higher than the number of new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined there’s no excuse in not being suncare savvy.

So to ease into the pain I thought it might be beneficial to start with the top 5 things you need to know about sun protection. Then in the coming posts we will cover the products, newest technologies and even techniques/tips to take your protection to the next level.

Suncare 101:

1.What does SPF mean?
SPF=Sun protection factor and is an indicator of how much UV exposure your skin can tolerate before burning while wearing sunscreen versus not being protected at all. So the higher the SPF the greater the shield. Some people like to do creative math and assume that if they're skin can tolerate 10 minutes of sun before burning then an SPF 50 will allow them to stay out for 500 minutes (10 x50). Unfortunately what this equation doesn't consider is the intensity of the UV rays. This is of course dependent on time (sun is always strongest around 2pm) location (UV rays are stronger in higher elevations and places closer to the equator). Bottom line? Apply sunscreen (an SPF 30 at a minimum but I recommend at least a 50).

2. How do I use it?

The greatest challenge is improper application. Often people are too stingy in the amount they apply so an SPF 50 becomes more like a 12. Here's the rule of thumb you should always follow. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside allowing the filters to set in and protect. Then you must reapply every 1-2 hours during the entire duration you are outside. Don't be cheap! Trust me the cost of lasering off suspicious moles is much pricier than a bottle of sunscreen. Always apply a shot glass full of sunscreen to your body and a nickle size to your face.

3. I think I might be Vitamin D deficient so can I skip the SPF?

All I can say is seriously?! If you want to argue your way out of this (which is impossible) try a more legitimate reasoning. The reality is you only need 10 minutes of sun to synthesize vitamin D. Chances are that you already get this during your daily outside time while running errands in a skirt or t-shirt (of course your face is still protected with a moisturizer plus SPF because sun exposure on legs or arms during those 10 minutes is all that's needed!).

4. Will sunscreens completely block photoaging (premature aging caused by the sun)?

The reality is there is no single sunscreen on the market that blocks all UVA and UVB and shields skin against infrared rays (made primarily from sun's heat). Instead boost your sun protection with antioxidants that help block any escaped UV or infrared damage. Layer an antioxidant-rich serum under your sunscreen or look for SPF's that are formulated with vitamin E like Neutrogena's new Spectrum. Make sure that your sunscreen does not include any vitamin A which has been found to become carcinogenic when exposed to sun.

5. I rarely burn when I'm in the sun so it must mean I'm ok using a lower or no SPF, right?

WRONG! Even that sun kissed tan of yours spells UV damage. Understand that tanning is your skin's natural defense mechanism to protect itself from sun damage. As you sit in the sun your skin starts to produce more melanin (pigment) which in turn form a barrier within the skin trying to shield the dermis (skin's deeper layer) from the harmful UV rays.

Usage tip: Something tells me that you have any enough tips from all the above. The only other things I can repeat for the millionth time is that this is not a joke. Melanoma is real and it can kill.

The result: Younger, healthier skin compliments of your newly acquired sun IQ.