Facts About The
Sun
What You Need To Know
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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 We
now understand that natural sunlight acts as a trigger to the brain to
release chemical endorphins resulting in higher
serotonin
levels.
Perhaps this is why we tend to 'over do it' with regards to sun
exposure.
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 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.
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; 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.
About
The Sun : Exposure
in different weather...
Fact: Sunburns and sun damage can occur on
cloudy days. Beware of sun reflectors like water and snow.
Fact: The use of sunscreen does not allow us to
over spend time in the sun. It protects our skin for small doses of
sun exposure and should be applied along side common sense. 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. 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: 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...
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. Recommended
Sunscreen Products...
*These
ingredients are Chemical Block (absorb UVR): 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): The American Academy of Dermatology says regular
use of sunscreen before the age of 18 is very significant to lowering
chance of skin cancer;
If you have further questions about the sun and sun care, consider
these websites:
Top of
Page: Facts About The Sun
Return To Smart Sun Protection
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Unfortunately, when it comes to the sun and us, there
is an analogy that comes to mind; "like a moth to a
flame"... that reveals a very hazardous aspect about the sun and
our relationship with it.
Sunscreen is the only beauty product that can truthfully claim
to prevent aging and wrinkles.
AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789)
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