“Tuesday Truths – “Sun Smarts”
June 6, 2023
Last week I discussed the importance of daily sunlight for a healthy dose of vitamin D.
Today, I want to discuss the importance of protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
UV (ultraviolet rays) are responsible for 80 percent of facial signs of aging, such as wrinkling, dryness, sagging, and spotty pigmentation, according to a study by L’Oréal Research (Flament, 2013).
UV-induced aging is……… irreversible and is most pronounced in fair-skinned individuals after years of exposure to extreme sunlight.
However, individuals of all skin types experience changes in facial appearance caused by UV exposure (Battie, 2013).
We can protect our skin and avoid intense sun exposure by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sun-blocking clothing and choosing sunscreen to protect against all types of UV radiation.
UV exposure initiates inflammatory processes in the skin. In addition, it can deplete other vitamins and antioxidants in the skin.
UVB rays, which have shorter wavelengths, stronger and higher energy, cause DNA damage and photoaging in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.
These are the chief rays that cause sunburn and skin inflammation.
UVA rays penetrate the skin with longer wavelengths, less weak, and lower energy.
These are the primary cause……of skin aging and wrinkling (Mac-Mary 2010).
The eyes and skin around the eyes are particularly vulnerable to damage by UV rays.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye diseases linked to UV exposure include inflammation, cataracts, and eye cancers (American Academy of Ophthalmology 2007; Wang 2012).
How to protect your eyes from UV rays:
Buy a good pair of general-purpose, medium-to-dark sunglasses with large lenses and a wraparound design (Health Canada, 2010).
Daily-use …. outdoor sunglasses should block…
- 60 to 92 % of visible light and UVA (weakest rays)
- and 95 to 99% of UVB (stronger rays).
- Wear sunglasses when the sun is intense between 10 am -4 pm.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor and avoid the bright midday sunlight.
Outer Clothing:
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing is distinguished from regular clothes by lab tests that show it shields the body from UV by a factor of 15 or greater.
This UPF number is based on reducing UVB rays that cause sunburns (Fisher, 2006). It measures how much ultraviolet light passes through the fabric in a laboratory.
Most clothing without a UPF label can provide adequate sun protection. For example, a white cotton shirt’s UPF may hover around 10. A colored shirt’s UPF is higher.
Denim jeans can block more UV rays because of the tighter weaves, dark…. or bright colors, and thicker fabrics.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first sun-protective clothing in 1992 as a medical device, but today, the Federal Trade Commission regulates these wares by policing marketing claims.
Like the SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the higher the number, the less UV radiation passes through.
Sunscreen SPF and clothing UPF ratings are comparable in laboratory settings, but the reality is more complicated.
In the real world, clothing offers greater protection than the UPF label might imply, and sunscreen generally provides less protection than the SPF number.
Here is another essential tip…. Do not buy UPF clothing embedded with unnecessary harmful sunscreen chemicals!
How to pick a good sunscreen:
There are many options when searching for sunscreen and many things to remember.
Which chemicals are harmful? What offers the most protection?
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), forward-thinking companies & concerned citizens of the environment make it easy with these quick tips.
- No Spray Sunscreens
- No Super-High SPFs
- No Oxybenzone and Other Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
- No Retinyl Palmitate
- No Combined Sunscreen/Bug Repellents
- No sunscreen towelettes or powders
- No Tanning Oils
1) NO Spray Sunscreens
Given the ease of applying them on squirming kids and hard-to-reach areas, these super-popular aerosolized sunscreens may seem like a dream come true. Nevertheless, they may pose serious inhalation risks. They make it too easy to apply too little or miss a spot.
Even though the Food and Drug Administration has expressed concern about the safety and efficacy of spray sunscreens, companies continue to turn them out.
2) NO Super-High SPFs
Products with sky-high SPFs may protect against sunburn but still could expose your skin to damaging UVA rays.
“SPF stands for”sun protection factor” and refers only to protection against UVB radiation, which burns the skin.”SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and refers only to protection against UVB radiation, which burns the skin.
It has little to do with protection from the sun’s UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin,
- suppresses the immune system,
- accelerates skin aging,
- and may cause skin cancer.
High-SPF products may give people a false sense of security, tempt them to stay in the sun too long and suppress sunburns, but upping the risk of other kinds of skin damage.
The FDA is considering limiting SPF claims of over 50+, which has been done in other countries.
EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled with exceeding SPF 50 and reapply sunscreen often, regardless of SPF.
3) NO Oxybenzone and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Commonly used in sunscreens, oxybenzone penetrates the skin, enters the bloodstream, and acts like estrogen. It can trigger allergic reactions.
Data are preliminary, but studies have found a link between higher concentrations and health problems.
4) NO Retinyl Palmitate
When used in a night cream, vitamin A has anti-aging effects.
“However, government studies, retinyl palmitate” may speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin.” However, according to government studies, retinyl palmitate “may speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin.“
“So why is this”inactive ingredient” allowed in sunscreens intended for use in the sun? Good question.”So why is this “inactive ingredient” allowed in sunscreens intended for use in the sun? Good question.
The EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens containing this chemical.
6) NO Combined Sunscreen/Bug Repellents
Skip products that combine bug repellent with sunscreen. Why? For starters, bugs are typically not a problem during the hours when UV exposure peaks. Also, sunscreen may need to be reapplied more frequently than repellent, or vice versa. We recommend that you avoid using repellents on your face, too. Studies suggest combining sunscreens and repellents leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
7) NO sunscreen towelettes or powders
FDA’s sunscreen rules bar sunscreen wipes and powders. However, some small online retailers are still offering towelettes and powders. Please do not buy them. Why? Dubious sun protection. Besides, inhaling loose powders can cause lung irritation or other harm.
8) NO Tanning Oils
Tanning oils are simply a bad idea.
If they contain sunscreen ingredients, the levels are always deficient and offer little sun protection. Therefore, do not buy products with SPF values lower than 15 or without either zinc oxide or avobenzone for UVA protection.
However, for a sunscreen to live up to its advertised SPF value, users must apply and reapply it correctly and often.
Research has shown that few users apply an adequate coating of sunscreen with uniform thickness to sun-exposed skin for sun exposure (Diffey 2009).
What does this mean for you and me?
When you plan to be out in the sun, take a good shirt – and hat and pants. However, who wants to be out like that on a HOT day?
Clothing should be your first choice for reducing UV exposure. A colored shirt will often provide more protection than a white shirt, as well as tighter weaves and thicker fabrics.
The excellent news…. most clothing with UPF is made to be lightweight and comfortable, and it guarantees strong UV protection.
Skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinoma) is the most common form of all cancers in the U.S.
Rates of the rarest and most aggressive melanoma cases have tripled over the last 40 years.
UVA and UVB rays can cause gene mutations, and…. skin cancer could happen to anyone.
According to a national survey by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 1 in 3 adults report using sunscreen frequently, and even fewer say they routinely seek shade, wear a hat, or cover up with long sleeves.
I am not an expert on skin cancer, but I have many friends who have found these tips helpful, and I find them essential to share.
The bottom line…….
Until next week, trust your truth, and if you want to prolong your skin’s health, avoid intense UV exposure, and live with AGE-GILITY!
I will have more links to this information on my blog at michelerase.com.
Bye for now!
References: https://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/
Battie C, Gohara M, Verschoore M, Roberts W. 2013. Skin cancer in skin of color: an update on current facts, trends, and misconceptions. J Drugs Dermatol. 12(2): 194–8.
Diffey B, Brown M. 2012. The Ideal Spectral Profile of Topical Sunscreens. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2012 May-Jun;88(3):744-7.
Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B. 2013. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 6: 221-32.
FTC (Federal Trade Commission). 2001. FTC Consumer Alert: Sunscreens and Sun-Protective Clothing. Available
Health Canada. 2010. Sunglasses. Available: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/glasses-lunettes-eng.php
Mac-Mary S, Sainthillier JM, Jeudy A, Sladen C et al. 2010. Assessment of cumulative exposure to UVA through the study of asymmetrical facial skin aging. Clin Interv Aging. 5: 277-84.
Skin Cancer Foundation. 2014. Clothing our first line of defense. Available: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/clothing/clothing-our-first-line-of-defense