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To sunscreen, sun block or not ... find the balance
to protect yourself from harmful suns rays, the potential harmful
ingredients in sunscreens and the need for natural vitamin D.
Why do you care?
- Skin damage from sun exposure builds up over time - UVA
rays penetrates inner skin tissue and activates enzymes that
break down collagen and elastin molecules contributing to
wrinkling, premature aging and skin cancer.1
- UVB rays affect the outer layer of skin and primary cause
sunburn and skin aging. More on UVA & B differences.
- UV rays also release chemicals that impair the ability of
immune cells increasing susceptibility to infection and cancer.
- Sunscreens contain potentially harmful chemicals specific
for UV protection, benzophenone, homosalate and octyl
methoxycinnamate (which can mimic bodily hormones).
- Exposure to UVB on bare skin metabolizes and converts into
Vitamin D - recent research shows strong links between serious
health issues and Vitamin D deficiency.
- 6,000 tons of chemical compounds found in sunscreen ends
up in coral reefs, killing or "bleaching" coral.2
The Know How
- Use a sun blocker - they reflect and disperse the sun's
rays, and therefore block UVA and UVB rays from penetrating
the skin surface. The physical blockers available in Canada
are mineral compounds - zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. See
details in Bits
of Rays.
- Ensure your sunscreen is broad spectrum - effective against
both UVA and UVB.
- SPF ratings are based on the protection against UVB rays
only. There is no rating system for UVA protection. Of note,
the higher the SPF, the more chemicals the product may have
in it.
- Sunscreen labels must identify the active ingredients designed
to provide the sun protection. Chemical-based sun products
are classified as a drug in Canada and are not required to
list all ingredients.3
- Stability - zinc and titanium compounds are the most photostable
ingredients in sunscreen - which means they do not break down
when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
- Know what Sunscreen
Ingredients to Avoid.
- Skin
Deep - Sunscreens - find out the Best and Worst sunscreens
as rated by the Environmental Working Group.
Know and Tell
- Patti considers the different needs for herself (keep those
wrinkles and crinkles at bay), her kids (sunburn hurts) and
hubbie (both … wrinkled sun burnt men can be big babies!).
- Recent findings about the link
between Vitamin D and breast cancer has intrigued her
enough to have a blood test to determine if she is Vitamin
D deficient.
- Tamey is trying out Sun Fragrance-free by Alba … as
it contains no parabens and the mineral blockers are good
for her kids sensitive skin. See other Product
Reviews.
- Links
to Web sites with more details about protecting yourself from
the sun.
Pure Know How Kids
1 Guidelines
for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer, National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2002.
2 Sunscreens
Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral Infections, Environmental
Health Perspectives Volume 116, Number 4, April 2008
3 Monograph
- Sunburn Protectants, Drugs and Health Products, Health Canada
retrieved from website, June 17, 2007
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