Summer Sun ~ Safe and Fun
By MyChelle
Dermaceuticals – Natural Skin Care
The sun fascinates me. Sunshine is vital to life and
yet its power can do so much damage. Although most of us like to spend
time outdoors, the sun is your skin's worst enemy. Sun exposure is the
primary cause of premature aging, brown spots, wrinkles, and skin
cancer.
If you are a trivia buff, here are some interesting
facts about the sun you can share at your next dinner party. The sun
is located 93 million miles away from the earth. If you could drive to
the sun from the earth at 60 miles per hour, it would take you 176
years to get there. It takes more than 8 minutes for sunlight to
actually reach the earth once it leaves the sun. The sun is so far
away and yet some days it appears as if it's right on top of us.
With such an expanse between the earth and the sun,
how can it do so much damage? The power of the sun should never be
underestimated. The sun itself is 60 times hotter than boiling water.
But it's not just the heat, it's what else the sun emits that can be
the most dangerous-ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There is no question
that ultraviolet radiation from the sun is dangerous. The ozone layer
near the Earth's surface can deflect ultraviolet radiation; however,
it cannot absorb all of the radiation emitted from the sun. In
addition, pollution continues to deplete the ozone layer, exposing us
to more ultraviolet radiation than ever before.
There are three different types of ultraviolet
radiation-UVA, UVB, and UVC, depending on the wavelength. About 99
percent of the radiation that reaches the earth is UVA. While UVA does
not produce sunburn like UVB, it still contributes to aging skin and
skin cancer. UVB, while in limited quantity, is more intense and is
the radiation that actually causes sunburn.
This summer, take care of your skin, and be smart
about the protection you choose to use.
Physical blocks vs. chemical screens
Zinc Clear (does not leave your skin looking ghostly
white) and titanium dioxide are two outstanding sun blocks. These
micronized (nano) minerals are put into formulas to reside on the
surface of your skin (the outer most layer AKA stratum corneum) and
provide a physical shield to reflect the suns ultraviolet rays. These
nano minerals are designed to reflect the damaging rays and provide a
shear finish without the ghostly white look. If applied to an open
cut, these nano minerals could possibly enter the bloodstream, so we
do not recommend applying to an open wound. It would be best to cover
the wound with a Band-Aid or something alike. Micronized minerals are
the safest sun protection next to staying out of the sun.
Chemical sun screens on the other hand are absorbed by the skin and
when activated (about 15 to 20 min after application) will destroy
ultraviolet light for a limited time. It is important to reapply
chemical sun screens since they become inactive depending on the SPF
they offers. The chemicals used to provide the sun protection have
come under major scrutiny in the past decade. It is thought that
excessive use of these chemical sun screens could actually put one at
more risk for skin cancer. Physical blocks will work as long as you
allow them to remain on your skin. So look for sun protection products
that offer Zinc ClearTM and Titanium Dioxide for the most non-toxic
sun protection available.
Use It
Sun protection only works if you apply it daily.
Even if you are not planning on playing in the sun, wear it over your
favorite nourishing cream in the am daily to protect against
reflective rays off water, buildings, and even concrete! If you are
spending the day at the beach, reapply after swimming.
No such thing as a healthy tan
The so called healthy glow (pink, red burned skin)
that most think is a status symbol is in fact a statement of
ignorance. Smart, educated people use self tanners and sun shields
(physical mineral blocks) to protect against skin cancer and premature
aging of the skin. This pink, red color is actually a burn that causes
inflammation of the skin, which leads to scar tissue and loss of
elasticity. Repeated insults to the skin such as a sunburn ultimately
lead to thick scarred skin that is unable to hold water and is void of
collagen and elastin, much resembling the look of leather.
Hyperpigmetation, brown spots and melasma are additional side effects
of long term and repeated exposure.
Tanning beds
In 2000, the National Toxicity Program and the
National Institutes of Health added tanning beds and sunlamps to the
list of known cancer-causing agents. Many studies have confirmed the
link between skin cancer and "intentional exposure to ultraviolet
radiation" (tanning beds and sun bathing). So, the take-away message
on tanning beds and sun bathing is, no, it's not safe.
Avoid peak heat
Avoid direct sun light between 10 am and 3 pm. This
is the most intense time of day that the sun is most dangerous. Seek
shade, wear a hat and limit direct sun exposure as much as possible.
In addition to avoiding the direct sunlight, try to avoid intense
heat, since it is thought to be a burden on the skin and may damage
the skin's protein.
Did You Know?
Compared to the earth, the sun is huge. For
perspective, if the sun were the size of a basketball, the Earth would
be the size of the head of a pin! It's the largest, most powerful
object in our solar system.
Sun facts
- Snow, sand, water, concrete and glass reflect
sunlight.
- Clouds do not protect you from the damaging UV
rays.
- The higher the altitude the more intense the sun
gets (6% every 1000 feet).
- The sun is responsible for the majority of
melanoma.
- The sun's UV rays can penetrate many types of
clothing.
- Dry, dehydrated skin, burns more easily than well
hydrated skin.
- The sun can damage your eyes, increasing the risk
of cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers.
Sun tips
- Protect newborns from the sun
- Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your scalp;
baseball caps do not protect the sides of your face
- Always protect your children's skin; repeated and
early long term sun exposure can increase skin cancer risk
exponentially
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Natural Skin Care
Company offers two natural skin care formulas:
MyChelle Sun Shield is a paraben free, anti-aging, non-toxic,
full spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen which preserves skin’s moisture
without clogging pores and protects skin from future sun damage when
used daily.
Click here for product information.
Del Sol by MyChelle is a self bronzing system that is a safe,
natural, sunless tan with organic aloe and organic essential oils.
Click here for product information.
Click here for more information about MyChelle Dermaceuticals Natural
Skin Care products.
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