William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-07-01 / 7. szám
Our Health Corner with Debbie Wolfe, rn Fun under the summer sun I HOPE EVERYONE is enjoying the summer season. It is my favorite time of year, spent with family and friends. Many of us are getting ready for a well-deserved vacation from work or school. I dusted off our suitcases and compiled our checklists of necessities: new clothes, bathing suits, beach or pool towels, and...oh yes, sun protection. I run down to the drug store and buy a bottle of good old sun tan lotion. But, what I find is no longer the familiar brown bottle with the cute baby on the label. There is an entire section of sunscreens, sunblocks, lotions, creams, dry sprays, oil sprays, water proof, sport, UVA protection, UVB protection, with various numbers of SPFs...my head is spinning! A simple errand should not be this confusing. So, I bought nothing and decided to do a little research. What is the difference, and what do I really need? The following is what I learned in a nutshell. The Academy of Dermatology recommends, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and which protects you from both UVA and UVB rays should be used. So, let's break this down. Ultraviolet "A" rays can pass through window glass and penetrate deep into the skin. They can suppress the body's immune system and it's ability to protect from the development and spread of skin cancer. UVA exposure is also known to lead to signs of premature aging of the skin, like wrinkling and age spots. Ultraviolet "B" rays can not penetrate window glass but are the primary cause of sunburn. A good way to remember the difference between the two types of rays is that "A" are *31 lÉíÉÉk the aging rays and "B" are the burning rays. However, excessive exposure to both forms of UV rays can lead to the development of skin cancer. Water resistant products are available for active individuals or those involved in water sports. It is important to check the label to ensure it says "water-resistant" or "very water-resistant." Water-resistant sunblock will maintain the SPF level for about 40 minutes after water immersion and very water-resistant will last about 80 minutes. SPF stands for "sun protection factor." Sunscreens are classified by the strength of their SPF. The numbers on the packaging can range from as low as two to greater than 50. These numbers refer to the product's ability to deflect the sun's burning, UVB rays. The SPF is calculated by comparing the time needed to produce a sunburn on unprotected skin to the time needed to cause a sunburn on protected skin. For example, let's say you normally would turn red after 10 minutes in the sun with no protection. If you apply a sunscreen rated SPF 2 before your exposure to sunlight, it should take 20 minutes to turn red. If you apply an SPF 15 sunscreen, you should be protected for 150 minutes. So have fun this summer and stay sun smart. Generously apply sunscreen in your choice of form. Apply one ounce at least every two hours regardless of SPF. If you have any left from last year, it should still be safe to use. The FDA requires that all sunscreens stay at their original strength for three years. Try to avoid the sun between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Wear protective clothing, a wide brim hat and sunglasses when possible. Until next month.... stay Healthy - stay Happy - Be Fit! egészségére! Pebble j-tealiij Unis To learn more about ways to protect yourself and your loved ones while you’re outside enjoying or working in the summer sun, log onto: 3 http://www.aad.org/skin-care-and-safety (The skin care and safety section of the American Academy of Dermatology website) O http://www.skincancer.org/Sunscreen (Information on sunscreens from the Skin Cancer Foundation)
