Sun Care & Sun Safety

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• Most children receive between 50-80% of their lifetime sun exposure before they reach the age of 18.
• While sun damage begins in childhood, most skin cancers do not appear until after age 50.
• The best means of protecting yourself against the damaging effects of the sun is by limiting exposure and protecting the skin.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen products protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB light.  Choose products with an SPF of 15 or higher.  Reapply every 2 hours, even when it's cloudy.  Moisturizers and other cosmetic products containing sunscreen also need to be reapplied for continuous protection.
• To prevent or relieve dry skin, take brief baths or showers in lukewarm water, using a mild soap.  Afterward, pat--do not rub--yourself dry.
• Lotion works best when your skin is already moist, so apply it right after your bath or shower.
• Tanning is never safe, whether from the sun or a tanning bed.  A tan actually signifies an injury to your skin cells.  For a sage sun-kissed glow, avoid dangerous UV rays and instead pick up a sunless tanning product from your Good Neighbor Pharmacy.
• Hours spent driving in a car may increase skin cancer risk.  Most windshields block UVA rays, but side and rear windows do not.  Apply sunscreen before your commute and wear long sleeves when possible.
• Products containing alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acid, such as anti-wrinkle creams, acne treatments, and cleansers increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun.

Source:  Good Neighbor Pharmacy  Health Connection,  June 2010 issue 

Something New Under the Sun
UV Protective Clothing 

About 1 million Americans will develop skin cancer this year, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

Fortunately, it is never too late to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.  And, one of the best ways to do so is also the simplest:  Cover up with sun-protective clothing.  There are three types from which to choose:

1.  Ordinary Street Clothes
Many items you already own may be sun-protective.  However, the classic white cotton T-shirt is not one of them.  Instead, choose long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of lightly woven fabric.  Polyester and nylon are best, and darker colors are more protective than lighter shades.

2.  Specially Made Clothing
Several companies make apparel certified as sun-protective.  Brand names include Solumbra and Coolibar.  The clothing is made of special fabric blends that protect but still allow skin to breathe, unlike most standard polyester or nylon garments.  Labels include the UV protection factor, or UPF rating.  UPF is equivalent to SPF and ranges from 15 to 50.

3.  Clothing Laundered in a Sun-Protective Additive
By adding a product called Rit SunGuard detergent to your washer, you can raise the UPF of that white T-shirt from five to 30.  And that is after just one washing, according to research.  Two washings in quick succession will boost the UPF to 50.

Of course, clothing cannot cover every inch.  For best protection, slather a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 on exposed skin.  Add a hat, wraparound sunglasses, and SPF 15 lip balm, and you are ready for your next outdoor adventure.