Sun Protection
60 Tips
By Marie Borrel; Hachette Illustrated UK, 2005
Nature has endowed men with from natural solutions such as
innumerable gifts to provide their herbal medicine, simple BOOK OF THE WEEK:
needs and to enjoy life. One of exercises, healthy eating and
which is the sun. While it is true relaxation to scientifically proven
that the sun plays a vital role in suncare products such as
man's daily life of work and lotions, creams and tablets.
leisure, the rule has always been While it is good to know that most
to enjoy anything in moderation. of the solutions come in handy,
S o o n e r o r l a t e r, o n e ' s most people may not be aware
carelessness will take its toll. that protecting oneself does not
The ill-effects of overexposure to happen only minutes before you
the sun cannot be discounted. step out of your houses and hit
Countless articles have been the beaches, countryside or
written, constantly reminding mountains. The author will walk
people to protect themselves. you through as you prepare
What more at this age when the yourselves months before going
ozone layer can no longer protect out in the sun, when you're in the
men from the sun's harmful rays. sun, and once you have returned
from your holidays.
The book presents an array of
tips for sun protection ranging read the summary
INSIDE THIS SUMMARY:
– The Big Idea
–Preparing Before Sun Exposure
–While Under the Sun
– Precautions After Sun Exposure
– Sun-Related Problems and Remedies
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Preparing Before Sun Exposure regularly during summer and winter. For more
effective results of moisturizers, it will be best to
have regular but gentle skin scrubs. This opens up
Know Your Skin Type the pores to breathe allowing the moisturizers to
The skin is the body's biggest organ and the most penetrate deeply.
exposed to the sun's rays. There are five general
types of skin manifesting varying reactions and Finally, one should not neglect moisturizing within
tolerance to the sun. These types are as follows: by drinking lots of water. The body loses water
ŸVery pale complexion, red hair, freckles, light rapidly especially during sunbathing and
eyes (the skin burns but does not tan) sweating. Water provides regular renewal of the
ŸPale complexion, blond hair, light eyes (the liquid surrounding the skin cells for adequate
skin burns but eventually becomes slightly nourishment.
tanned)
ŸLess Pale complexion, brown hair, light eyes
(sunburn frequently occurs, but its possible to
achieve tan) Take Food Supplements, Vitamins and
ŸDark complexion, brown hair, brown eyes Minerals
(rarely suffers from sunburn)
ŸVery dark complexion, black hair, dark eyes Betacarotene
(tans rapidly) Betacarotene, the main ingredient in food
supplements for sunbathers, can be found in all
orange-colored fruits such as carrots, apricots,
Moisturize Your Skin melons, tomatoes and some green vegetables
Moisturized skin can better resist the sun's harmful like spinach, cabbage and broccoli. Betacarotene
rays. Regular use of moisturizing creams renews is the ideal protection against free radicals that
the skin caused by the drying effects of heat, salty causes skin drying and ageing, and sometimes
air at the seaside, chlorine in swimming pool and skin cancer. A recommended consumption is
the winds at high altitude. Even ordinary contact about 30 to 50 mg of betacarotene each day. One
with water in daily washing routine tends to dry the does not run the risk of overdosing since the body
skin. Thus, a daily regimen of moisturizing prepares converts betacarotene to Vitamin A.
the skin, both body and facial, when exposed to the
sun. Good Fats
Wrinkled, flaccid and soft skin are only some of
There is a wide range of cosmetics and natural the effects of lack of essential fatty acids in the
products for this purpose. Aloe gel and shea butter body. A source of good fatty acids are salmon,
can be applied as often as you like and lip balm mackerel and sardines. Duck, an exception to the
animal fat rule, also contains good fatty acid.
Essential fats such as those found in vegetables
are indispensable to the body. These keep the cell
ABOUT THE BOOK: walls in good condition. A good source of these
are omega3s and omega6s which can be found in
walnut oil, sesame oil and others such as rape
seed, sunflower, grape seed and olive oil.
Author: Marie Borrel Lycopene
Publisher: Hachette Illustrated UK
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects
Date of Publication: 2005
ISBN : 1844301354
the skin from sun damage. It is almost
No. of Pages: 128 pages synonymous with tomato, a major source of
lycopene. Tomatoes also contain vitamins E and
Sun Protection by Marie Borrel 2 of 6
C and betacarotene. usually on the face, hands or neck due to loss of
pigmentation with the skin's inability to produce
Cruciferous Vegetables melanin. Exposing this to the sun will only worsen as
These vegetables contain three rare but vital the patches tend to be more prominent than
antioxidants to combat the following: Zeaxanthin disappear.
protects the eyes, lutein prevents sun allergies
and glutathione improves immune defences. Rosacea
Vegetables rich in these antioxidants are Skin turns pink generally appearing on the face is a
sweetcorn, cabbage, asparagus and broccoli sign of circulatory problem. As with Vitiligo,
exposure to the sun will not improve circulation. In
Vitamin E both cases, the face should be protected by cream
Another strong antioxidant is Vitamin E which or sun block. A wide-brimmed hat may also be
limits the damage on the skin because of its power helpful.
to repair cells. However, only natural vitamin E
such as wheatgerm oil, nuts, seeds and vegetable Acne
oils can be metabolized by the body. Vitamin E is It has been a popular belief among teenagers that
known to be more effective as antioxidant when sunbathing makes acne disappear. It may diminish
combined with Vitamin C. as the spots appear less red and prominent but not
at all cure. A high factor sun cream and thorough
Tea washing of face after sunbathing is advisable.
Tea contains vitamins E and A, and the mineral
zinc all of which have direct effect on the skin Sun Blisters
making it soft and supple. It is also an antioxidant Sun blisters are caused by the Herpes virus which
which protects the skin from sun damage. attacks the body when the immune system is at its
lowest. This virus is activated by the sun's rays
Selenium and Zinc which has free radicals that damage the body's
Good sources of Selenium and Zinc minerals are tissues. The best precautionary measure is to
shellfish, meat and eggs. Brazil nut is the best increase the body's immune system by taking
source of selenium than any other fruit or Echinacea or consuming amounts of shitake
vegetable. Zinc on the other hand is found in liver, mushroom before taking your holiday. Time spent
almonds, fish and shellfish. Selenium is vital for under the sun should also be on a gradual
glutathione to do its work while Zinc is concerned increasing time level. Applying sun block to affected
with biological functions such as fast healing of risk areas may also help.
wounds, right skin pigmentation and ensuring the
working of hormones.
Silicium Brown Blotches
Silicium takes care of the body's connective
tissues, cells held together by collagen. The sun Chloasma
affects these tissues and silicium strengthens and Pregnant women are those affected by these brown
aids in the recovery of damaged tissues. Horsetail blotches appearing on the face, stomach and
is a rich source of this mineral. Taken three weeks breast. During pregnancy, there is increase in
before sunbathing, it helps maintain connective pigmentation causing skin cells to be hyperactive.
tissues in good condition making the skin elastic, The blotches do not disappear if women expose
supple and moist. themselves to sun a lot during their pregnancy.
Age Spots
Similar blotches appear on women around the age
Taking Precautions on Skin Problems of fifty. These are caused by frequent and prolonged
exposure to the sun unprotected even before they
Vitiligo had these blotches.
Skin problem manifested by white patches,
Sun Protection by Marie Borrel 3 of 6
While Under the Sun other hand for the UVA ray, a star system is used
with one star having the lowest and four with the
Some Facts About Ultraviolet Rays highest protection. It is advisable that a sunbather
While the benefits of the sun are clearly uses both creams for his protection.
recognized by everyone, it is also important to
learn about the harm it can do to people. The sun Total Sun Block
emits rays such as gamma, infrared and Xrays Sun Cream such as Total Sun Block offers the most
which are harmful to men. Fortunately, these do effective protection. These creams, however, do
not reach the earth. The ozone layer serves as not prevent you from getting tanned because there
the protective shield. However, some rays reach will still be small amounts of rays coming through
the earth which directly affect sunbathers. your skin. This type of cream is normally used for
Among these are the ultraviolet rays which are sensitive areas such as lips, around the eyes, scars
divided into three categories: The UVAs, UVBS and brown patches.
and UVCS. The last one and most dangerous is
absorbed by the ozone layer. The UVBs are the Which Type to Use
sunburn-causing rays but are blocked by Sun Creams come in different forms creams, oil,
melanin. A deep-tanned person maybe lotion, stick or aerosol. The choice depends on the
protected from the UVB but only on a lesser type of skin and ease of use. Dark-skinned may opt
level. The UVAs also cause sunburn but not as to use oil or lotion though the former offers less
harmful as the UVBs. protection but are more water resistant. Creams
are used on the face and sticks on sensitive areas
Location is a factor in the amount of UV rays the such as the mouth, around the eyes, on spots,
skin receives. There is even a double danger in scars and brown spots.
mountains than in the beaches due to the high
altitude. In the beaches, the sun's rays reflect all Which factor
bright surfaces including the water and sand. A high factor protection is normally advised during
The rays can reach you even when you're sitting the first week and gradually decreases over the
under a shade. In any case, people should wear days that follow. Likewise, the choice of factor also
protective caps and eyewear to avoid sunburn of depends on the skin type. The whiter the skin, the
the eye. higher the factor to start with.
All things considered, the basic guideline is not to
Protecting the Skin expose oneself on the hottest part of the day,
staying in the shade at all times after mid-morning
Natural Tanning Agents and before late afternoon. The powerful rays during
these times are harmful to your skin.
Sun Cream Filters
Sun creams have evolved over the years. Cream Application
Chemical and mineral filters are now used in sun Effective results of sun cream, oil or lotion do not
creams. The former penetrate the skin which end when one buys the right one. Application also
may produce adverse skin reaction while the follows certain rules. With sufficient amount, apply
mineral only provides a thin layer of protective them half an hour before you leave for the beach,
mineral and stays only on the surface of the skin. then reapply every two hours or more often. The
same applies when you're just out of the water,
Sun Cream Factors taking a walk in the countryside or playing a round
A wide variety and seemingly complicated of tennis in cloudy skies. Also, the more active you
figures and factors have also appeared on the are, the more frequent you should apply cream or
labels. Factors, indicating the degree of lotion because sweat diminishes the protection.
protection from the UVB rays range from 2 to
100. A factor of 10 means that one can stay Oftentimes, less noticeable parts of the body such
protected under the sun for 10 hours. On the as lips, hands, neck, shoulder and scalp are
Sun Protection by Marie Borrel 4 of 6
missed out. The lips, for one with its delicate skin susceptible to suffer from heatstroke as sunburn.
and numerous blood vessels are also vulnerable to They should not be taken to the beach nor on long
sun damage. Special sun creams are also walks in the country or the mountains in hot sun. If
available for areas around the eyes where the skin this happens, make sure the baby is given
is fragile and sensitive. something to drink every 15 minutes.
For better protection, apply aloe vera gel or shea
butter prior to your sun cream. These organic
substances do not have anti-UV filters but help
improve the skin's tolerance to sun for a suppler, Precautions After Sun Exposure
moist skin. Thus, these are used in conjunction with
the sun creams and not as substitutes. Shower and After-Sun Lotion
Basic precaution in maintaining a glowing tan after
sunbathing is taking a shower to rehydrate the skin
and wash away salt, sand and dust. A shower
Artificial Tanning Agents whether hot or cold stimulates blood circulation.
Starting with a cool shower, the blood circulates and
Self-Tanning Creams refreshes the skin. Finish the shower with a warm
Gone are the days when having tan skin is a symbol one to relax the muscles.
of lower social status. People nowadays especially
those with pale complexion desperately want a tan Follow the shower with an after-sun lotion
skin less the dangers of the sun's harmful rays. This religiously for a month after you return from your
has prompted companies to market self tanning holiday. As previously mentioned earlier,
creams. These are creams which contain tanning moisturizing the skin is a year round regimen. The
agent and helps skin achieve golden brown tan lotion helps the skin repair damaged cells, resist the
even in the shade. In the same way as other sun free radicals andrestore the hydrolipidic film,
creams, the effects depend on the type of skin. nature's moisturizer. While betacarotene prepares
the skin before sunbathing, Vitamin E repairs the
skin cells damaged by the sun's harmful rays.
Sunbed
Sunbed tanning presents to be a more attractive The hair should not be missed. It suffers the same
option less the hassles of self-tanning creams' damages as the skin, bleached by the hot sun and
potency in application and faster results. However, dried by the wind and sea. Dark hair gets better
the dangers of exposure to UVA rays are still there protection than light hair which bleaches in the sun.
posing higher risks of skin ageing, wrinkles and
cancer. The salons' tanning lamp produces UVA Hair care starts by eating the right food. Just like the
rays that are more intense than the sun's UVAs. body, the hair needs iron and vitamins especially
those in the B group which are mostly found in
cereals and dried fruit. Brushing the hair regularly
Special Care for Children and using gentle shampoos are all part of hair care.
Children needs to be more protected from the sun
than adults because the protective skin of the Good Sleep
children's skin only becomes functional when they It is during the night when the skin renews,
reach the age of fifteen. Their skin cells are not yet eliminates wastes and repairs itself. Getting a good
that efficient. Children below three years old sleep allows the skincare treatment to work on the
requires maximum protection which means cream, skin. The use of skincare helps the skin to renew.
sunglasses, hat and T-shirt should be worn. There are more active ingredients in nighttime
Toddlers should not be exposed after ten o'clock in skincare than those for daytime use.
the morning and before five in the afternoon in high
summer. Gentle Body Scrub
Both pre and post sun exposure require gentle
For those under two years old, they are more scrub. The former to prepare the skin for sunbathing
Sun Protection by Marie Borrel 5 of 6
while the latter to regenerate the skin and preserve
the tans. Body scrub exfoliates dead cells
accumulated during its exposure to the sun.
Sun-Related Problems and
Remedies
Sunburn
The common problem sunbathers experience is
getting a sunburn. There are cases when the skin is
only slightly burned. Even then, avoid sunbathing
until the inflammation has died down. Remedies that
can be applied generally are cold compress of skim
milk to the affected areas. Natural yoghourt may also
be applied. Serious burns may be treated with aloe
vera, St. John's wort oil or lily oil.
Herbal medicines also offer natural remedies.
Marigold aids the healing process. Arnica protects
the skin while the Mexican Mimosa accelerates the
skin's renewal.
Heatstroke
Extreme heat, prolonged exposure to hot humid
conditions can cause the body temperature to rise
out of control. Under these conditions, the body can
no longer regulate its internal temperature. The first
aid is to make the person lie down in the shade, put
cold compresses on the body or have a cool bath.
Plenty of water in small sips is also advised.
Sunstroke
Sunstroke is a combination of sunburn and
heatstroke. The same emergency measures for both
can be taken. An overheated body is quickly
dehydrated, thus, plenty of water should be given.
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