Sun Exposure & Sunblock: Great Info For Your Patients

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Importance of Sunscreen/Sunblock

I reviewed a Special Report insert in the April 2011 The Dermatologist journal that was very informative about the need and use of sun protection. It details the difference in effects of UVA vs UVB rays. I will summarize the main points. It is critical to educate patients about the following information.

UVA and UVB are the rays that are important in skin disease and aging. UVA comprises 96.5% of UV radiation and UVB comprises only 3.5%. (Remember that SPF only tells you how much of the UVB is blocked, although UVB is important in damage to the skin). UVA can penetrate glass and reach the skin’s dermis, while UVB cannot. UV radiation causes DNA damage, immunosuppression, and sunburn.

After UV exposure, melanin (pigment) synthesis is a mechanism to combat UV damage. Melanin blocks UV and scatters UV radiation to prevent damage. This is why darker skinned individuals do not sunburn as easily and do not show as much sun-induced aging and skin disease/cancer. UV-induced immunosuppression is associated with increased risk of skin cancer.

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Sun Protection

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“But I love the sun!” ….is a phrase I hear in my office all too often - especially this time of year. My usual reply: “well, the sun doesn’t love you…” Skin cancer rates are on the rise. During the recent past, doctors have become increasingly aware of the increase in the rates of skin cancer in the United States, and have stressed the importance of the need for protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The harm caused by UV includes premature aging (such as wrinkling and age spots), skin cancer, and permanent, sometimes blinding, damage to eyes. Doctors everywhere agree that education is critical to stopping the epidemic of sun related diseases - especially skin cancer. As to the actual physiological effects of UV radiation on the skin, I’ll spare the scintillating details. Suffice it to say that the sun ages our skin undoubtedly more than any other environmental factor. So, just in time for the summer, let’s come with and implement a sun safety program.
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Sunscreen Recommendations

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According to he Environmental Working Group, they analyzed 500 various sunscreens and were only able to recommend 39 of them for their 2010 Sunscreen Guide.

Since it's now summer, this is the stuff you'll want to know.

"Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium," the Environmental Working Group says. "They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor."

Of note is that that none of the products on this list are in spray or powder form... and none contain oxybenzone or vitamin A, which may increase skin cancer risk when exposed to sunlight (photocarcinogenic potential).

The 39 sunscreens that the Environmental Working Group recommends:

  • All Terrain AquaSport Performance Sunscreen with SPF 30
  • All Terrain KidSport Performance Sunscreen with SPF 30
  • All Terrain TerraSport Performance Sunscreen with SPF 30
  • Badger SPF 15 Sunscreen For Face & Body Lightly Scented
  • Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen For Face & Body Unscented
  • Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen For Face & Body Lightly Scented
  • Beyond Coastal Lip & Face Screen SPF 30
  • California Baby Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/Year-Round SPF 30+
  • California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen No Fragrance
  • California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Citronella
  • California Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 30+ No Fragrance
  • California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-Round SPF 30+
  • Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard SPF 25
  • Caribbean Solutions Sol Kid Kare Natural Sunscreen SPF 25
  • Desert Essence Age Reversal SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
  • Episencial Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35
  • Estion Sunscreen with Zinc SPF 38
  • Jason Natural Earth's Best Sunblock Mineral Based SPF 30+
  • Jason Natural Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sunblock SPF 30+
  • Jason Natural Sunbrellas Mineral Based Physical Sunblock SPF 30+
  • Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen SPF 20 Fragrance Free
  • Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen SPF 22 Skin Tone Tinted
  • L'uvalla Certified Organic SPF 20 Sunscreen Face/Body
  • La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream
  • Little Forest Sunscreen Lotion For Babies and Kids SPF 30+
  • Loving Naturals Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15
  • Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stick SPF 30
  • Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff SPF 15
  • Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff SPF 30
  • Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • Soleo Organics/Atlantis Resort All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • Soleo Organics/Wyland Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • Thinkbaby/thinksport SPF 30+ Sunscreen
  • Trukid Sunny Days Face and Body Stick SPF 30+
  • UV Natural Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • UV Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • UV Natural Sunscreen Sport SPF 30+
  • Vanicream Sunscreen Sport, SPF 35