Sunscreen Danger – What’s In Your Sunscreen

You put on sunscreen because it is important for your skin’s health, right? In this day and age of skin cancer, most of us have been taught to wear sunscreen daily, especially on our faces, in all weather and all seasons. Lately, however, some concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the sunscreen itself. Just what’s in that sunscreen, and is it safe?

Cancer

For years we have been told that exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause skin cancer. Ironically, though, moderate sun exposure may actually prevent the development of certain types of cancer, and the chemicals in sunscreens may increase your risk of skin cancer.

One of the concerns is that certain chemicals in sunscreens produce free radicals, and the formation of free radicals is strongly implicated in cancer. Free radicals cause cellular damage, and cancer is, essentially, the proliferation of damaged cells.

Chemicals of Concern

* Titanium oxide is a reflective substance that is not absorbed by the skin, which is why it has historically been used alongside zinc oxide as a sunscreen. However, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, titanium oxide may be a human carcinogen.

* Nanoparticles are extremely small versions of chemicals like titanium or zinc oxide, but they are manufactured, not naturally occurring. The use of nanoparticles (or nanoscale particles) is what makes clear sunscreen possible. The nanoscale is so small that it is measured in nanometers – one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. Such a small scale raises concerns about increased absorbability through the skin.

* Oxybenzone, an endocrine hormone disruptor, is readily absorbed through the skin. It is, however, approved by the FDA for use in sunscreens. Thankfully, the sunscreen industry is moving away from including this chemical in their sunscreens. However, some manufacturers still use it and older sunscreens are more likely to have it. So check the ingredients in that years-old bottle of sunscreen in the back of your bathroom cabinet!

* Parabens and fragrances are common ingredients in sunscreens that have raised health concerns.

What You Can Do

Some sources note that human beings have been living and working out under the sun for millennia, and suggest the rise in skin cancer cases is due to the use of sunscreens rather than increased exposure to ultraviolet light. Regardless of your views on sun exposure, if you want to protect yourself from excessive sunlight, there are things you can do that do not involve chemicals.

1. Wear hats and loose, light-colored, cotton clothing that covers exposed skin while still keeping you cool.

2. Carry a small umbrella or parasol – remember the pale complexions so prized in Victorian times? Ladies of those days did not have sunscreens, but carried shade-making parasols. They are still available today, or you can use an umbrella.

3. Consider natural, mineral sunscreens that contain little more than zinc oxide for your family. There are organic sunscreens available that are biodegradable and do not contain synthetic materials. Your local health food store is a good place to start, and many online companies offer organic sunscreens.

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Natural Ways to Stop a Sunburn From Peeling and Itching

A sunburn can be a nasty experience. A bad one can give you chills and a fever, not to mention terrible pain. A mild sunburn can still result in blistering, itching and peeling.

If you’ve accidentally stayed out in the sun too long, there are some things you can do that can help reduce itching and peeling. Most of these treatments are inexpensive and all of them are natural – you may even have some of them in your kitchen cabinets or pantry.

First, be careful with that burned skin – don’t use soap, washcloths, or do any scrubbing in the shower. Wash your hair upside-down under the bath faucet to avoid shampoo running over your sunburn. And when you get out of the shower or bath, pat your skin dry with a soft towel – don’t rub.

* Tea – Tea, green or black, has skin-soothing properties and has been known to stop relieve sunburn itch and prevent peeling. Black tea seems to work the best, or you could use a combination of green and black. Brew a quart or so of strong tea, pour it into a lukewarm bath, and soak.

* Baking Soda Bath – Baking soda can be very helpful in treating sunburn. Mix a cupful of baking soda into a lukewarm bath and let it soak your burned skin. Gently rinse the baking soda off with lukewarm water when you get out of the tub – baking soda residue can be itchy.

* Apple Cider Vinegar Bath – Smelly but effective, apple cider vinegar can work wonders for sunburned skin. You can soak in a lukewarm bath to which a cup or so of apple cider vinegar has been added. Or, you can mix vinegar and water into a spray bottle (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and spritz it onto your skin. Let your vinegar-treated skin air dry.

* Natural Oils: Coconut, Almond, Olive – When you get out of your bath, natural oils are a good choice for replacing your skin’s lost moisture. Pure coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but melts quickly in the hands and on the skin. Almond oil is said to be the closest to natural skin oil – sweet almond oil is considered the best. Olive oil is an ancient remedy against sun-dried skin, and is used extensively to moisten skin in the desert regions of the Middle East.

* Aloe Vera – Pure Aloe vera gel can be obtained directly from an Aloe plant. Simply slit a thick Aloe leaf lengthwise down the middle and scoop out the gel. You can use a knife to scrape the inside of the leaf in order to get all the gel out. Many stores sell Aloe vera gel, but make sure it’s pure gel – Aloe vera juice or lotions and skin products containing Aloe are not the same. Apply this ancient burn remedy liberally to sunburned skin that is clean and dry.

Sun Exposure and Cataracts – How to Protect Your Eyes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 18 million people around the world who are blind due to cataracts. Five percent of those 18 million people can attribute their cataract-caused blindness directly to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also notes the correlation between ultraviolet radiation and eye problems, including cataracts.

The WHO and the EPA further suggest protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation to prevent eye damage. The WHO has developed a UV index to indicate when the risk of damaging rays are highest. The UV index refers to the level of UV radiation present under different conditions. For example, the UV index is higher when you are around a reflective surface such as water or snow than when you are surrounded by grass and soil.

Symptoms of over-exposure to UV radiation include puffiness and redness (photoconjunctivitis), and /or darkened, spotty vision. While normal vision usually returns if the person does not repeatedly experience UV exposure, permanent damage can be done by repeated or prolonged exposure.

How Can You Protect Your Eyes?

Your vision is precious, so it’s worth it to take some steps toward preventing eye damage from the sun. Here are some precautions you can take.

* Limit your time in the sun during its brightest hours, which is from approximately 11am to 2pm. The time of year, geographical location, and terrain will affect when the brightest light occurs in your area.

* If there is shade available, spend your outdoor time in it as much as possible.

* Sunglasses are a basic but important precaution. Sunglasses with side panels are the most effective. If you have prescription glasses, consider clip-on sunglasses or sunglasses that can be placed over your prescription lenses.

* Don’t go to the tanning salon; it is not good for your skin or your eyes, and you will save money if you change your habits. Maybe you can use the money you save to buy some high-quality sunglasses!

* Wear hats with wide brims that shade your eyes.

* Practice good nutrition and eat a healthy diet. This is good advice for maintaining general health, but it can also make the difference between healthy and diseased eyes. Foods high in lutein, such as blueberries, strawberries, and other berries are good for the eyes. Carrots, which their high vitamin A content, are the traditional food for the eyes for a reason. Eat such foods daily to keep your eyes healthy.

* Don’t look directly at the sun with unprotected eyes at any time of day for any reason. Yes, sunrises and sunsets can be beautiful; but the sun can come up from the horizon or out from behind clouds suddenly. Wear sunglasses to view sunrises or sunsets, and only when the sun itself is below the horizon. Do not ever view a solar eclipse without proper eye protection, and never look directly at the sun during the day.

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