Something about the sun in the sky, shining brightly and bathing us in its warm rays can make any place seem so much better.  We observe our surroundings a little more appreciatively and seem to be more energized and enthusiastic about our daily endeavors.  Purely psychological? No

What you need to know about the sun is over eXposure can not only harm you, it can kill you.  

Does this sound extreme?  The reality is, environmental factors such as a thinning ozone atmospheric layer, in combination with a western societal beauty ideal of tanned skin, has created a very dangerous sun worshipping lifestyle.

This century will experience more concerns about the sun and sun safety, than any time frame before it. Here are just a few of the latest facts about the sun and us, and our potentially lethal combination.

Just look at these facts directly from the American Cancer Society's "2003 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet":

- between 1980 and 2003, the incidence of melanoma tripled among Caucasians
- in the USA, there will be about 91,900 new cases of melanoma
- more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed
- about 9,800 people will die of skin cancer this year, 7,600 from melanoma and 2,200 from other skin cancers.

General facts about the sun in relation to sun exposure...

Fact: The earth absolutely depends on its relationship with the sun, to sustain any life.

Fact: The sun provides energy to the earth and two forms of the energy are light and heat.

Fact:  The geographical location on the earth and is distance to the sun, will shape the type of climate and area weather system. For example, the geographical zones at the equator are about the closest to the sun, and therefore the warmest climates on earth.

About The Sun - Ultra Violet Rays...

Fact:  The sun's light is composed of ultraviolet rays. The earth's atmosphere absorbs just about most of the UVC rays, but UVA and UVB are not.

Fact:  Over exposure to ultraviolet light is the cause of skin cell structural breakdown, and other physical deterioration.

Fact:  Generally, research indicates that UVA rays are responsible for skin cancer, skin breakdown and wrinkling. Whereas, UVB rays are behind sunburns.

Fact:  When skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, both UVA and UVB rays stimulate melanin production which results in the "tan" we see. What we don't see is the increased activity of free radicals which breakdown the internal building blocks of the skin and the deeper down demise of collagen, the connective tissue of our skin responsible for maintaining support and elasticity.

Fact:  Sun protection includes the application of proper SPF broad spectrum (shielding both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen or sunblock, wearing protective clothing, and UVA/UVB lens filter sunglasses.

About The Sun - Sun Protection Factor...

Fact: SPF indicates protection from sunburns only and therefore ONLY UVB rays. 

Full spectrum protection from UVA requires the presence of these specific ingredients; AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789)- chemical agents in sunscreens absorb UV Rays.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE, AND ZINC OXIDE - physical sunscreens reflect UV Rays.

NEW! Tinosorb S (Bemotrizinol is safe and compatible with most other blocking agents and can actually help other sunscreen agents by preventing their breakdown) 

NEW! Mexoryl Sx (Ecamsule another safe agent that provides full UVA spectrum coverage, and is photostable)

Fact: Increasing your SPF beyond 30 brings only minute increases in protection from the sun's rays.

With regards to SPF number, 15 provides about a 94 % shield from the sun's UVB rays. To double the SPF doesn't double your protection. In fact, an SPF of 30 only increases your shield to approximately 97 %. From there, higher SPFs provide only tiny percentile increases in protection, but you do start to build on the number of ingredients which can possibly irritate your skin.

Fact:  Sun beds are not safe sun alternatives.

Fact:  Sunless tanning lotions are a safe and excellent way to enjoy a tan.

Fact:  According to the American Academy of Dermatology-On average, 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during multiple brief exposures not intended to produce tanning.

About the Sun - Vitamin D

Fact: Yes, exposure to the sun is an important source of Vitamin D, according to the American National Institute of Health. Vitamin D is produced in your body after exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays and is primarily responsible for maintaining blood calcium and phosphorus levels, and assisting in calcium absorption, which builds and maintains strong bones.

Note*: Only small doses of regular sunlight are required for proper Vitamin D production. Any sun exposure beyond 10-15 minutes without protection, is over exposure and puts you at risk. 

Fact:Sunscreen with a higher SPF than 8 will prevent sufficient UV absorption for Vitamin D synthesis. This does not mean you should forfeit the dramatic health benefits of sun protection. Dermatologists generally recommend daily use of a sunscreen with a SPF of 15.

For more about the sun, and the role of vitamins click on the links below:

More on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure
Does Vitamin C provide sun protection?

What can you do about the sun and its harmful effects?

For starters wear a broad spectrum sunscreen... It will protects you from the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is one of the most critical measures you can take to safeguard your skin, your beauty and your health...

Sunscreen is the only beauty product that can truthfully claim to prevent aging and wrinkles.

Protection of the skin from sun exposure is required for all races of people, every where, and should be part of everyone's' morning skin care program.

It is especially important that children receive proper sunscreen and sun protection.
Sun Care for Kids Sunscreen and Sun Protection

Recommended Sunscreen Products...

Make sure your sunscreen has one of these critical ingredients to give you the most thorough protection:

*These ingredients are part of a small handful proven to cover the full UVA/ UVB spectrum (not just  part of a ray spectrum).

Chemical Block (absorb UVR): AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789)

NEW! Tinosorb S (Bemotrizinol is safe and compatible with most other blocking agents and can actually help other sunscreen agents by preventing their breakdown)

NEW! Mexoryl Sx (Ecamsule another safe agent that provides full UVA spectrum coverage, and is photostable)

Physical Block (reflect UVR): TITANIUM DIOXIDE,ZINC OXIDE

The American Academy of Dermatology says regular use of sunscreen before the age of 18 is very significant to lowering chance of skin cancer;
It is estimated that by the time we reach about 18 years of age we will have received 80% of our lifetime's sun exposure. Research is showing us that if we wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 regularly prior to the age of 18, the risk of "certain skin cancers" will be reduced by 78%.

Sun protection includes the application of proper SPF broad spectrum (shielding both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen or sunblock, wearing protective clothing, and UVA/UVB lens filter sunglasses.

If you have further questions about the sun and sun care, consider these websites:

Environmental Protection Agency
American Academy of Dermatology

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