Entry bubble Sunscreen: The secret to not looking like a lobster

By: Jess | April 30, 2009 | Category: Health

Sunscreen and sunglasses

In two days I will be leaving to go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for vacation. I'm hoping I have nice weather so I can spend my days lounging in a beach chair with a good book soaking up the sun.

But because I'm ghastly pale and would rather not come off the beach charred and looking like a lobster, I plan to lather on the SPF. In my younger and perhaps dumber days, I would slather on some SPF4 once in the morning, bask in the sun all day (never re-applying of course because I was trying to get that sun-kissed tanned look) and as a result, spend many an uncomfortable night trying to ease the burn with globs of aloe.

Well, not this year. I'm making a pact with myself to not burn.

To prepare, I read the CDC's guidelines on buying, applying and re-applying sunscreen. I'll be chucking all my expired sunscreens and buying new ones with higher SPFs. My plan of attack is slather on a lotion in the morning with SPF 30 or higher and then tossing one of the sprays in my beach bag for during the day.

Because sunburn isn't the only safety issue I'm concerned about with a beach vacation, I read up on some other beach safety tips.

Do you have any beach safety tips to share with me before I hit the road?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: beach   beach_safety   jess   safety   skin   sunburn   sunscreen   tanning   vacation  

 

Entry bubble Use Sunscreen, Don't Get Burned

By: Joanne | July 08, 2008 | Category: Health

In the past, I didn’t think too much about sun exposure; as long as I didn’t suffer a really terrible burn, I felt like everything was fine. Then a few years ago my father died of skin cancer and the reality of sun exposure and skin damage began to sink in. It’s summertime and we’re all spending more time outdoors – at the pool, the beach, the garden or just playing in the yard, so now’s a good time to be thinking about our skin.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 60,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin this year. That’s a lot of people and if you’re like me and don’t want to become a statistic, you’ve got to protect yourself every day.

There are lots of ways to protect your skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun. The most obvious way to protect your skin is to apply sunscreen. Be sure to use a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF (sun protection factor) and be sure to apply it early and often. Sunscreen blocks the sun’s harmful rays. Other things you can do are cover your skin with clothing, wear a hat, and stay in the shade. And don’t forget to protect your eyes and wear sunglasses that filter UV rays.

So this summer when you’re heading outside, sing this little song and do the sunscreen dance.

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: burn   cancer   joanne   skin   sun   sunscreen  

 

Entry bubble Summer Prep!

By: Colleen | April 16, 2008 | Category: Health

sunThe days are getting longer, temps higher, baseball is in full swing—Summer is just around the corner - I can feel it! Cue Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff!

Summer is my favorite time of year: Phillies games, weekends down the shore, dining alfresco, outdoor concerts, sunshine and swimming—what's not to love?

While having fun in the sun is a priority of mine, there are dangers that cannot be dismissed when preparing for summertime. That big ol' ball of gas in the sky can really do some damage.

Speaking from personal experience, when I was a kid I spent endless summer days at the pool, playing softball, or running amok around the neighborhood with my pals. At the ripe old age of 12, I had my first surgery to remove a questionable mole on my back. With a long Irish lineage, my mom was always adamant about her girls using sunscreen. Even so, I found myself with 10 stitches and a noticeable scar while only in the 6th grade.

In college, while lounging outside on a sunny afternoon, a friend pointed out a dark, oddly shaped mark on the back of my left arm. An area I couldn't see myself, this was the first time it was ever brought to my attention. A biopsy revealed the patch contained pre-cancerous cells and had to be removed immediately. This was before I even hit 21.

Now I see my dermatologist every 6 months for a check-up, and am "that girl" who constantly gives her friends a hard time about their trips to tanning salons and lack of SPF while trying for that perfect tan.

Of course, skin protection is not a summer-only issue. But, here are some tips to get you ready for the most outdoorsy time of the year.

  • Sunscreen has a shelf-life of only about 6 months. So, your leftovers from last year? Chuck them. Exposure to oxygen and light cause the chemicals to oxidize and are less effective in protecting you.
  • Be sure to slick on the 'screen everywhere. Two of the most common areas to find skin cancer are on the lips and tops of feet, which are often overlooked.
  • Wear sunglasses that are 100% UVA and UVB protective—prevents crow's feet down the road!
  • The bulk of skin damage comes from everyday exposure—running out to your car, walking to the mailbox, etc. Wear moisturizer with SPF every day for added protection.
  • Check your skin regularly. Make note of any changes in color or shape of moles and report them to your doctor. Make a yearly appointment for a mole check inspection of areas you can't see yourself.
  • Wear SPF of at least 15 or higher, and re-apply regularly (every 2 hours or so).

Any other tips to safely enjoy the sunshine?

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cancer   colleen   skin   spf   summer   sun   sunscreen