| Today's adults are learning first hand about
yesterday's incorrect perception that the person with a dark tan was
healthier, probably wealthier and certainly more successful. Growing
public awareness that certain kinds of skin cancers are directly
attributed to overexposure to Ultra-Violet rays from sunlight has
changed this perception. More and more people, young and old, male as
well as female, are applying remedies on their skin to block the sun's
rays instead of attract them. The sun not only
provides heat and light on earth, but also invisible radiation
referred to as Ultra-Violet Rays (UVR). There are three commonly
acknowledged ray wave lengths of this radiation - UVA, UVB and UVC,
all of which are damaging to the skin.
Most aging over a lifetime is caused by exposure to
sunlight. The flushed appearance of the skin from a sunburn is
produced by increased blood flow to the skin caused by chemicals
released from cells damaged by UV radiation.
UVA rays are approximately 1,000 times less damaging
to the skin than UVB rays. During the summer months, however, the
amount of UVA rays that reach the earth's surface are about 20 times
greater. UVA rays penetrate dense clouds, untinted glass and light
clothing. Even on a cloudy day when sun exposure is not obvious, UVA
rays cause unanticipated damage to the skin. In addition to being more
abundant, UVA rays also penetrate more deeply into the skin.
UVB rays are thought to cause the most photo damage
to the skin. Clothing, clouds, and untinted window panes block a great
number of UVB rays. The time period for severe exposure to UVB rays is
the middle of a clear summer day, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
UVC rays are more worrisome in the southern
hemisphere where the ozone layer has become thinner. The thinning of
the ozone layer is of concern due to its lost ability to absorb most
UVC rays. UVC rays are the most dangerous and intense to all living
things, not just mankind.
Penetration by sunlight's UV rays damages both
layers of the skin. The destruction of elasticity results in wrinkling
and pre-mature aging. The result (also known as photo-aging) of this
exposure is elastosis, a process whereby the skin's elastic fibers
degenerate and collagen is eliminated. Often this damage starts in
childhood, especially when the skin is not protected with proper
clothing, hats, eyewear and sun block.
There are many products to choose from when
purchasing a sunscreen. It is not common knowledge, however, that some
of these sunscreens contain harmful chemicals.
A group of researchers at the University of Zurich
in Switzerland tested six common UV screen chemicals: benzophenone-3,
homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC),
octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), and octyl-dimethyl-PABA. They found that
these sunscreens behaved similar to estrogen in lab tests, making
cancer cells grow more rapidly. One UVA screen, butyl-methoxydibenzoyl-methane
(B-MDM), did not appear to be a problem. (“New Scientist.” 4/2001)
In addition, current marketing trends have led most
readers to believe that a sun block should also be a moisturizer. At
MyChelle Dermaceuticals we do not recommend this approach. A
moisturizer should have nourishing ingredients that penetrate deeply
into the skin and have positive affect on those cells. A sun block
should never penetrate both layers of the skin but be more of a
protective shield from the sun's damaging radiation. This shield
should not clog pores or suffocate the skin.
Sun exposure from just running errands in your car
or driving to and from work can jeopardize the youthfulness and health
of your skin. At MyChelle, we recommend to cleanse, tone, nourish and
protect your skin every day. Implement a daily application of sun
block to your face, neck and hands as a part of your morning ritual.
 Choose sunscreens with avobenzone, titanium dioxide,
phylbenzimidoazole-5-sulfonic acid and zinc oxide. Try
MyChelle's Sun Shield SPF 30. This non-toxic sun block
provides full spectrum sun protection, and, will NOT sting the eyes.
Great for children, too!
Facing the Sun – MyChelle Newsletter
…Sun exposure is the primary cause of premature
aging, brown spots, wrinkles and, worst of all, skin cancer. A tan is
actually the skin's response to injury, occurring when the sun's rays
penetrate the skin's inner layer causing it to produce melanin.
Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes the skin's
support structures, collagen and elastin, to break down, accelerating
the aging process. There is even scientific evidence that five or more
sunburns double the risk of developing skin cancer, with the nose
being the number one site for skin cancer. Eighty percent of all cases
occur on the head and neck, with lips, eyelids and ears being other
vulnerable spots. Children especially need to be protected from
sunburn at a very early age, because damage deep in the epidermis
progressing over their lifetime greatly increases their risk of
developing skin cancer later in life. Children also need to be
protected from the toxic chemicals and preservatives found in many
sunscreens on the market. For their safety and health, as well as
yours, MyChelle Dermaceuticals offers an extraordinary, non-toxic
Sun Shield SPF 30. It is an anti-aging, non-toxic, paraben-free,
full spectrum UVA (responsible for skin aging and likely to cause skin
cancer) - UVB (causes redness and sunburn and is a major risk factor
for all types of skin cancer) sunscreen that preserves skin's moisture
without clogging pores or irritating eyes.
The good news is… it's never too late to start
wearing sunscreen (daily use can actually reverse a significant
portion of sun damage) and to develop wise habits to protect your skin
from the damaging rays of the sun. The peak time for harmful
ultraviolet radiation is between the hours of 10am and 4pm, so if
you're out during that time, be sure to apply a liberal amount of
Sun Shield and cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, a long
sleeved shirt, and sunglasses.
UV radiation is also a factor in the development of
lip cancer, so don't forget
MyChelle's Love Your Lips, a luscious, antioxidant lip
treatment with sunblock UVA/UVB protection and emollient, nourishing
shea and kokum butters to soothe chapped lips and protect lips from
dehydration. Many experts recommend wearing sunscreen, lip balm and
sunglasses year round to protect your skin, lips and eyes from the
cumulative effects of sun exposure.
For
MyChelle Product Information (click here)
Sun Protection Tips:
- Plan outdoor activities in the summer in the
morning and late afternoon. The sun is most intense from 10:00 am to
2:00 pm.
- Although UV rays are less intense on cloudy,
overcast days, UVA rays are still present and add to cumulative skin
damage.
- Water, sand and snow reflect UV rays. Since UV
rays can be reflected, even sitting in the shade does not mean one
is protected from exposure to these harmful rays. Remember to
protect your eyes with quality sun glasses.
- Sun beds emit mostly UVA rays. Overexposure to
these rays can still cause your skin to burn and lead to premature
aging, wrinkling and the risk of skin cancer.
- High altitude poses greater risk to sunburn due
to the lack of atmosphere to absorb the UV rays.
- Protect the Children. Remember that sun damage is
cumulative. All exposure adds up to permanent damage.
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