Why Bother?

There are 2 types of UV (Ultraviolet) Light rays: UVA (think Anti Aging – rays that cause wrinkles and make you too age more rapidly) and UVB (Burning).  Both of these rays are responsible for causing skin cancer such as Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

How to Best Protect Yourself

• DO NOT BURN!  Use a sunscreen on the face on a daily basis with an SPF of at least 30.
• Highly Recommended: Use products that contain the active ingredients ZINC OXIDE or TITANIUM DIOXIDE
• For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (meaning protection against UVA & UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 30.
• Avoid the sun when possible when the sun is most intense, especially between 10am and 4pm. Seek shade.
• Wear sun protective clothing, including a broad 3-4 inch brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. (Coolibar; Sunday Afternoons; Tilley; Columbia offer sun protective wear)
• Avoid tanning and tanning beds – better to fake it than bake it!  Self tanning lotions or spray tans are ok.
• Apply 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body 30 min before going outside and reapply every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Examine your skin head to toe every month.
• Every year, see your physician for a complete skin exam, unless directed to more frequently.

SUNSCREEN

What is SPF?  It is a measure of a sunscreens ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin.   For example, it takes about 20 min for your unprotected skin to start turning red.  Using an SPF 15 sunscreen will lengthen that 15 times.  In terms of percentages, think of an SPF 15 as filtering out about 93% of all incoming UVB rays; a SPF 30 filters about 97% and an SPF 50 keeps out 98 percent.

The problem with SPF is that it doesn’t measure the amount of UVA protection; hence the need to pick out a BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN.  An SPF 15 or greater, which can be found in many after-shave lotions, moisturizers and makeup, is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes here and there in the sun.  However, if you are spending a lot of time outside, you need stronger, water-resistant sunscreen that can be reapplied every 2 hours.  Sunscreen should be applied 20-30 min before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin, and reapplied every 2 hours and immediately after swimming, toweling off or sweating a lot.

Over The Counter Recommendations:

Face:    Eucerin Face, Cetaphil, Vanicream, Olay Sensitive Zinc 30

Body:   Neutrogena Ultrasensitive, Badger, Solbar Zinc or Shield

Kids:    9 out of 10 kids are allergic to octocrylene which photo stabilizes avobenzone. Use Zinc Oxide or

Titanium.         Babies / Faces – Neutrogena; Coppertone Waterbabies – Zinc Formula

FACTS

• The risk of developing melanoma doubles if a person has had 5 or more sunburns.  It doubles when a child has just one blistering sunburn!
• Suntans and sunburns result from DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer.
• Up to 40% of the sun’s UV rays reach the earth on a completely cloudy day.  Some of the most serious sunburns are received on these days, due to a lack of any protection.

RECOMMENDED SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS

FACE

Obagi Nu-Derm                     SPF 50                        10.5% Zinc Oxide          3fl oz              Matte finish, applies

Sun Shield                      UVA/PA+++       7.5% Octinoxate                                  sheer, non-allergenic.                                                                                                                                                  Available in untinted

or Tinted (warm or cool)

EltaMD Daily Tinted            SPF 40                        9% Zinc Oxide              1.7 oz                          Antioxidant protection,

absorbs quickly, tinted

EltaMD UV Clear                 SPF 46                        9% Micronized             1.7fl oz            Contains Niacinamides –

Zinc Oxide                                        good for acne, rosacea or men

EltaMD UV Physical                        SPF 41                        9% Zinc Oxide                3fl oz             Tinted – good for women

7% Titanium

EltaMD UV Aero                  SPF 45                        9.3% Zinc Oxide             6 oz                Continuous spray, water-

resistant, oil-free

Anthelios                                SPF 40                        2% Avobenzone            1.7fl oz             Great for photosensitizing

3% Ecamsule                                        skin disorders (PMLE,

10% Octocrylene                                    Lupus, Solar Urticaria)

5% Titanium

Blue Lizard Face                   SPF 30                        8% Zinc Oxide               3 oz –               Antioxidant enriched, oil-

5 oz                 free, Gel-formulated daily                                                                                                                                       moisturize

Colorescience Mineral          SPF 50                        24.1% Zinc Oxide                                  Apply over make-up, hint of

Powder Sunscreen                                  23.9% Titanium Dioxide                              color for all day touch-ups

Jane Iredale Powder-Me      SPF 30                    17% Titanium Dioxide                              Chemical-free powder for                                                                                                         face, body and scalp, tinted            

LIPS

Vanicream Lip Protectant    SPF 30                   2% Dimethicone 6%Titanium           0.35 oz

EltaMD Lip Balm                 SPF 31                       5% Zinc Oxide              0.28 oz

Jane Iredale LipDrink          SPF 15                       1.75% Titanium Oxide

BODY

Blue Lizard                            SPF 30                        10% Zinc Oxide             9fl oz

Sensitive Skin                        5% Titanium Dioxide

** Please ask your provider for further details on additional skin care products **