Whether you are hitting the beach or just your back yard, here are some tips that will help you protect your skin inside and out in order to enjoy the longer sunny days of summer safely.

1. Prevention is the key. Limit sun exposure, especially between 10am and 4pm. You can be outside, but you should seek shade during these hours. If you cannot avoid the sun during these hours, wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your face, sunglasses to protect your eyes, and long sleeves and pants weather permitting. Use Enfuselle sunscreen everywhere else that is exposed. For the most effective protection, apply sunscreen before going outdoors. It only takes about 2 tablespoons of this sunscreen to adequately cover your body. And remember to get the common trouble spots, top of the feet, top of the ears, back of the neck, lips. Antibiotics, oral contraceptives and tranquilizers can all increase sun sensitivity. If you have light skin or are a redhead, you should be especially careful about sun exposure. One bad sunburn in childhood or adolescence or five or more sunburns at any age actually doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life. Both tanning and sunburn are dangerous, because both the acute exposure that leaves you sunburned and the chronic exposure that gives you a tan, can cause the DNA damage that ultimately lead to skin cancer. Too much sun is simply…not healthy! A healthy dose of sun is about 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure per day to synthesize enough daily vitamin D, which is a crucial nutrient for many body processes, including building healthy bones and teeth.

1. Protect yourself from both UVA and UVB rays. Both UV A and UV B can create free radicals, which are unstable molecules that steal electrons from your body’s healthy molecules to stabilize themselves. These free radicals bombard and weaken your skin in cellular defenses, breaking the chemical bonds in DNA, enzymes and proteins. That leads to collagen breakdown and damaged DNA, which can cause skin cancer and photo aging (premature aging and wrinkling of skin). Until recently, scientists blamed UVB for most skin damage. However, more recently, there has been a significant shift in scientific and medical thinking as more recent studies have shown UVA does damage skin cells and in ways, more dangerous than previously understood. In fact, a recent study found that UVA may be more carcinogenic than UVB because it penetrates more deeply and causes more genetic damage in the basal or bottom layer of the epidermis, which is where most skin cancers originate. In this way, scientists now believe UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers.
   
2. Select an SPF 15 or higher, broad spectrum, waterproof sunscreen. Unfortunately, much of the market has been slow to catch up to the serious need for broad spectrum sunscreen that block UVB and UVA. Both skin cancer foundation and the American cancer society recommend a minimum of SPF 15 or higher for adequate sun protection. In 2008, the Environmental working group released a study ranking over 1100 sunscreen products. In their study, they found that 85% didn’t provide adequate sun protection or they contained ingredients that are either known health hazards or have not been tested for safety. Not a single one of the number one brand’s 41 sunscreen products met their criteria for safety and effectiveness and only one of the 103 products from the 2^nd and 3^rd largest manufacturers met their criteria. Look for a waterproof formula that will last longer. If it’s not waterproof and you are swimming or sweating excessively, be sure to reapply another ounce every two hours. Parents keep an eye out on your kids, especially babies under 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises that sunscreen on babies less than 6 months old is not harmful on small areas of babies’ skin, such as the face. But they stand by their advice that the best defense against sunburn is to remain in the shade and just make sure that they are getting a daily multivitamin supplement with at least 400 IU of Vitamin D.
   

1. Add natural antioxidants to your diet such as Vita-C, Vita -E and selenium to fight off free radical damage. Carotenoids, like beta carotene (found in orange foods like carrots, cantaloupes, and sweet potatoes) and lycopene (found in red foods like tomatoes, strawberries and watermelon) are known to be powerful antioxidants that work throughout the body to fight free radicals. Some early studies are looking at carotenoids, lycopene and flavonoids in naturally boosting the body’s SPF. Long term supplements with beta carotene may reduce UV induced redness. Carotenoids may also modestly reduce the risk of sunburn in individuals who are sensitive to sun exposure. Phytonutrients, called polyphenols are also known to fight free radicals. The most potent is the one found in red wine called resveratrol, and is scientifically proven to protect and repair DNA. Vivix is a product powered by a unique polyphenol blend with ingredients that have been shown in laboratory studies to fight cellular aging.
   

For more information on safe, effective sunscreens and nutritional products containing vitamins C and E, selenium, carotenoids, lycopene, flavonoids or vivix, email mel2urhlth@aol.com or call 336-643-6494.