A Tan is Pretty, but It's Not Good for You

You go on vacation and bake in the sun. It's a must to have a gorgeous tan when you return home. Decades ago we would use a reflector and slather ourselves with baby oil and iodine. We tanned on roof tops and called it tar beach. Now , everyone is older and wiser , hopefully. The sun may make you look good but it really isn't good for your skin. Melanoma , skin cancer, is on the rise. You needn't hibernate , you can still go out and enjoy the beach, boating, skiing, golf or your vacation but you have to be sun smart.

The sun reflects off sand, sidewalks, water and even in the shade you get UV exposure. If you are driving in a car and the windows aren't tinted, you are exposed to the suns rays. Your windshield blocks out UVB rays but not UVA rays. Sand reflects 15 percent of UV rays. Any good dermatologist will recommend a good sun block or sunscreen protection. Minimally your sun protection should be SPF 30. It should be a UVA and UVB protectant.

Sun block and sun screen come in anywhere from 8 SPF to 80 SPF. Some doctors say anything over 30 SPF isn't necessary and the difference in protection is negligable The number indicates staying power .The higher the number the heavier the lotion's texture so it doesn't wear off as easily. SPF 70 does not give you twice the protection of SPF 35.. You must put at least a tablespoon of lotion on, putting on too little can reduce an SPF 50 to an SPF 2. Most people only apply about 20% of the amount of sun screen needed to prevent damage. You should be using two Tablespoons. every two hours head to toe. Also look for these ingredients in your sun screen: Avobenzone, Meradiante, Ecamsule and Oxybenzone.

UVA rays are the rays that cause Melanoma and wrinkling. You can get screening that will actually show the affect of all the years you've spent in the sun and how much damage any sunburn you've experienced has caused. I live in a Southern state, we have eight to nine months of very strong sun exposure. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin's connective tissue and can cause permanent damage to skin and eyes, even cataracts in the long run. Good sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection are a must. Don't buy cheap sunglasses.

UVB rays are found in tanning beds as well as outdoors. They affect the outer layer of your skin. They stimulate the skin to tan to protect itself naturally. UVB also can cause cancer and aging.

Tanning salons are still available but states are cracking down about the age you have to be to use one. They are particularly bad for you.Tanning beds and tanning lamps increase the chance of cancer. The UVA rays are 75 per cent stronger than the actual sun.The healthier way to get a good base tan is the spray tan now available in shops and over the counter.

Clothing is available from L.L. Bean that has sun protectants in it. Solarweave and Rashguard are other companies that make sun protective clothing. A hat is a must. Applying sun screens and sun block 1/2 hour before going out in the sun should be a habit. Be sure to cover your ears, bridge of your nose,backs of knees, tops of your feet, hands, the back of your neck and along your hair line. Don't forget your lips. Most companies make special lip coverage products. Skin cancer of the lip can move quickly to the lungs. Be sure to reapply often when out. Some sun screens and sun blocks are waterproof and resist sweating. Water resistant sun products need to be re applied as well. Waterproof lotions last twice as long as water resistant lotions.There are also special sun screens you can apply to your scalp. There are hundreds of different formulas sold over the counter and by prescription to protect you from the sun. You can even buy stickers to wear that will show you whether or not you've had too much sun exposure.

Keep in mind sun screen and sun block break down after 2 years. I would recommend ditching your lotions after one year since you have no idea how long they sat in warehouses or stores. There is no law requiring an expiration date on these products so mark yours with a magic marker so you know how old it is.

Babies need special attention. They should wear a strong protectant made specifically for babies. Most lines carry some product geared for children and babies. Babies should have a hat on and loose, clothing. Keep them in the shade and remember that sun reflects off surfaces.

See a Dermatologist at least once a year for a thorough skin examination and keep alert in between by checking yourself for changes in any moles. Look for irregular borders, asymmetry and diameters larger than 6mm.. You can use a mirror for hard to see areas. Cancer due to sun exposure can occur 20 years after exposure.

So, use good sun screen, avoid the mid day sun and wer protective clothing. You know the saying "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun.", Cover up. Wear a hat. Re apply protection. Be sun smart.