Chances are if you are between the ages of 10 and 24 your next visit to the doctor will include a warning about the dangers of excessive sun exposure.

According to an article published this week by WebMD News, your doctor may give you (or your child) a gentle lecture about sun protection. The objective is for the doctor to appeal to your vanity to reduce sun exposure now and the risk of skin cancer later. ¹

The counseling sessions are a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The independent group of experts reviews evidence and makes recommendations about preventive health services.

According to the new recommendation doctors should:

• Conduct appearance-based behavioral counseling for their fair-skinned patients.
• Warn them of the ill effects of too much sun on their appearance.
• Encourage sun-safe behaviors such as wearing sunscreen and hats.¹

Why focus on appearance?

Appearance is very important to that age group. However, because “The outcome of skin cancer is so far down the road for them it’s not terribly relevant,” says Virginia A. Moyer, MD, MPH, chair of the task force and professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Although the recommendation is for fair-skinned individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 – because that’s where the evidence is strong and the studies have been done – Moyer says of older and darker-skinned people, “We certainly aren’t telling other people to ignore this.” ¹

The new recommendation is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.¹

1) http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20120507/warning-youth-skin-cancer-with-vanity-appeal

Recently, Dr. Stephanie Seneff, a senior scientist at MIT was quoted in an article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, entitled “How Can Sunscreen Cause Alzheimer’s?” Seneff, a senior scientist at MIT who has a wealth of information about the importance of sulfur, explains:
“… depletion of sulfate supply to the brain is another important contributor to Alzheimer’s, and I further think that sulfate is supplied to the brain principally by sterol sulfates like cholesterol sulfate as well as their derivatives like vitamin D3 sulfate. Both cholesterol sulfate and vitamin D3 sulfate are synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and it is theorized that the skin is the major supplier of these nutrients to the body. This is why I believe that excess sunscreen use and excess sun avoidance are another principal causative factor in Alzheimer’s disease.”¹

The argument for safe sun exposure for overall health is a growing one. The question is how much sun is too much?
SkinHealth Technology has developed a patented, new sensor that helps enable the user to get sun without damage to the skin.

The Natural Vitamin D UV Activation Sensors take the guess work out of gauging the real-time intensity of UV light and answers the universal “how long should you stay in the sun without sun protection” question.

1) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/03/sun-screens-cause-alzheimers.aspx

Spring is here and with much of the country experiencing above normal temperatures people are enjoying outdoor activities extra early this year.  Experts in the medical field agree that spending a short amount of time in the sun (without sun protection) is actually good for you.  A certain amount of exposure to natural UVB light allows the body to produce vitamin D naturally. This critical nutrient is essential to overall health and the best way to obtain it is from the sun.

According to Dr. Oz, “Vitamin D boosts your immunity, promotes healthy neuro-muscular functions and helps protect you from some forms of cancer. The easiest way to reap the benefits of this nutrient is to spend 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week. Be mindful that sunscreen will prevent you from getting adequate vitamin D outdoors; try skipping sunscreen for just 15 minutes.” ¹

This is great advice, but with variables like time of day, time of year, geographic location, etc—it’s evident that 15 minutes in Maine is not going to equate to 15 minutes in Miami! So how do can you know when you’ve had enough sun to attain your vitamin D?

A small sensor that enables the user to identify when they have spent enough time–without burning–is now available from SkinHealth Technology. ‘Natural Vitamin D UV Activation Sensors’ adhere to clothing or skin. When the color changes from yellow to red–optimal vitamin D development has taken place and indicates it is time to apply sunscreen or seek cover.

SkinHealth Technology developed Natural Vitamin D Sheer Sunscreen as ‘step two’ and is designed to be applied to the skin as soon as the sensor indicates vitamin D optimization. The sunscreen immediately begins protecting the skin.

1) http://www.doctoroz.com

On the heels of an already mild winter, Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day prediction of six more weeks of winter is a little off this year.  Much of the U.S. has been warmer than average and many regions are experiencing record high temperatures, so it’s a great time to get outdoors to enjoy the sun and fresh air.¹ Unfortunately, it’s also a prime set-up for that blind side so many of us have experienced on beautiful spring days – an unexpected sunburn!

The UV Index in parts of the country are also expected to be above average in correlation to the higher temperatures.   It’s easy to forget how strong the sun can be when the temperature is so comfortable.  If you aren’t prepared with sunscreen, you could become sunburned before you ever realize it.

Before you head outside, check the UV index on your local news or on the EPA’s  Sunwise UV Index home page.² This will help you determine the appropriate level of sunscreen protection needed for your region.  It’s always good to have a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of 30 of higher on hand.  UV Skincare Facial Light Sunscreen SPF35 by SkinHealth Technology is a great choice.  It is light, silky, and fragrance free so you hardly know you have it on.

1)    http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/12/10652420-temps-in-60s-70s-likely-across-northeast-midwest

2)    http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—right?

If you love cold weather that is!

If you are in the northern hemisphere you’ve begun to experience what we call winter. The days are shorter, the sun is not so intense and it’s cold!

So, with all these layers of clothing we’re wearing—who needs sun protection? The answer: You do!

Year-round use of sun protection cuts your risk of melanoma–the deadliest form of skin cancer–in half.¹

According to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen…

“This hot news comes from sun-baked Australia, where melanoma risk is two to three times higher than in the United States and Canada. Still, even though we’re further from the equator and it’s winter, stick with a quick daily ritual: Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face and neck (arms and legs, too, if your zip code is in the Sunbelt) and to the backs of your hands. True, the UV Index, which gauges the risk of skin damage from cancer-triggering ultraviolet rays, is low across most of North America in winter. But exposed skin’s still vulnerable, especially if you burn easily, spend more than a few minutes outdoors, work close to a sunny window, or have a long commute (the sun’s rays pass through car and train windows.)”²

And for those of you who take to the slopes this time of year—extra attention is needed to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “UV intensity increases with altitude because there is less atmosphere to absorb the damaging rays. As a result, the chance of damaging your skin increases at higher altitude.”

The reflection off the snow also intensifies the effects of the sun. Fresh snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation and almost doubles your UV exposure.

Increased UV strength at higher altitudes combined with the highly reflective nature of snow is what makes skiing and snowboarding particularly risky. Although your body may be well covered in layers of clothing–your face, neck and hands can be at risk. ³

Again, for maximum protection be sure to apply a moisturizing sunscreen like SkinHealth Technology’s UV SkinCare Facial Light Lotion (SPF 35.) This natural sunscreen provides optimum broad spectrum sun protection to help shield delicate skin from winter sun damage and premature aging.

1,2) www.realage.com
3)  www.uvawareness.com

The answer is Yes!

New research has found that wearing sunscreen—continuously–can reduce the amount of vitamin D a person is able to make. Sunscreens limit the Vitamin D the body produces by blocking ultraviolet rays from the sun.

At least some sunlight is the key to staying healthy.

“I believe that Americans have gone overboard with their fear of the sun. I think that sensible exposure to sunlight is really important for your overall health and well-being,” says Dr. Michael Holick, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine.

“We looked at individuals that always wore a sunscreen before they went outside. And we found that, indeed at the end of the summer, they were deficient in vitamin D,” says Holick.

“…so we have shown over and over again that adults, even if they’re on a multivitamin, and drinking milk, if they always wear sun protection, or avoid any direct sun exposure, they’re at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency“.

The most effective way to obtain this vital nutrient is to get your vitamin D from the sun. But how much sun does it take for vitamin D to be optimized?

Experts recommend exposing uncovered arms and legs to bright, mid-day sun between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Exposure of 25% or more of the body’s total skin surface is necessary, but take care in protecting very sensitive areas like the face.

The amount of time needed can be gauged by Vitamin D UV Activation Sensors available from SkinHealth Technology. The sensors are the size of a postage stamp and are easy and convenient to use. Simply apply one to skin or clothing and when the color changes from yellow to red—vitamin D optimization is complete.

Summer is here, so finding the right sunscreen is important to avoid skin damage. Protection from both UVA and UVB light is critical to total skin health.

The Ultra Violet-B spectrum of light is responsible for skin burning and establishes the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a sunscreen. The number on the bottle indicates the protection against the burning rays.

Perhaps more important than the SPF, Ultra Violet A protection is not so simple. This particular spectrum of sunlight won’t burn your skin, is not calculated in the SPF number, and produces long term damage. It may also be most responsible for some skin cancers. Currently, there are no labeling standards for UVA blocking. You have to read more of the package label to determine if it’s a UVA sunscreen.

Skip the general copy that says “UVA/UVB protection” or even “broad spectrum”. Most sunscreens protect against some UVA rays, but often it’s not enough. You need to know how much screening is provided against this invisible health risk.

The best way to determine UVA protection for traditional products is to look at the ingredient listing and specifically these particular active ingredients–

Avobenzone

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

The most effective, cosmetically pleasing, and least controversial of the three is Avobenzone. For high UVA screening, look for 3% of this ingredient.

There are a number of sunscreens available on the market that contain one, or a combination, of these UVA sunscreens. A new formula takes it a step further. It tells you exactly how much UVA protection exists in the bottle by using the FDA proposed star system – one to four stars of UVA protection.

This sunscreen, called UV SkinCare Facial Light Sunscreen Lotion (35 SPF), provides the highest UVA protection (4-star) available. It’s found primarily in dermatologists’ offices. The formula has a long list of other impressive benefits and is 90% natural.

So, whether you are at your local drug store, discount store, or medical office– reading the back label of a sunscreen product will reveal the best formula. Look for the active ingredients and their percentage to determine if it’s a UVA sunscreen.

The July/August 2011 issue of AARP The Magazine contains an interesting article by Dr. Oz that focuses on a subject that is particularly important this time of year, as we spend more time outdoors in the sun. Aside from certain physical illnesses that can trigger sun sensitivity, there are three common conditions that can occur from being in the sun.

Phototoxicity can happen within minutes of UV exposure and is usually the result of the interaction of the UV rays with a medication you are taking. It appears as an exaggerated sunburn.

Photoallergy usually takes more time to develop. It can take hours, or even repeated exposures. It is usually a reaction between the UV rays and a fragrance or chemical on the skin. Some over the counter medications, supplements, and even foods can trigger this. This will typically appear as a red, bumpy rash.

Sun-induced eczema occurs when the immune system reacts after long-term, intense sun exposure such as working outdoors or years of sunbathing. Symptoms are itchy, red skin and possibly blisters.

If you have had a reaction in the sun that surprised you, a review of all of your medications, supplements, foods, and topically applied substances may provide you with the answer. Your prescription medication should have a sun-sensitivity warning on the label and the possibility of adverse reaction to the sun should be outlined completely in the pamphlet you receive from the pharmacy. If you are taking any medications that are known to cause photosensitivity, you should avoid sun exposure. If you must be in the sun, use a high SPF sunscreen that provides the best UVA protection available.

In May, we posted a blog that included a link to an article that was published in Skin Inc. Magazine discussing the increase in skin cancers among teens, particularly those who had regularly used tanning beds. In California, the Senate is proposing legislation that would repeal their current law – one that allows 14 to 17-year olds to use tanning beds so long as the parent or guardian permits it.

Senator Ted Lieu of the 28th District (D-Torrance) released a statement on April 28,2011, “The principle behind the bill is that the use of indoor tanning beds is risky and the results can be fatal, and so the choice to use them should be -in every sense of the term -an adult decision.”

This underscores what medical professionals have been saying for years – the UV radiation received from tanning beds is at least as harmful as tanning in natural sunlight has been purported to be. But there is one big difference between these two tanning methods…

Natural sunlight at the right time of day can expose the skin to the right range of UVB rays to prompt vitamin D production in the body. The UV light emitted from most lamps at tanning salons does not fall within this range. And remember, while getting vitamin D from the sun is good, over-staying the time in the sun necessary to do so is not.

Some people probably believe that California is going too far, but the challenge in educating teens against the negative effects of indoor tanning remains. The lure of suntanned skin is powerful, and the idea that they will experience premature skin aging and melanoma is ambiguous to them. There is a growing movement away from the look of extreme tanning, but we may never see a complete social turnaround that brings pale skin back into vogue.

As we roll into another hot summer, it’s a good time to keep the subject in mind, so here are some tips. Sun damaged skin and skin cancers are, in large part, preventable health issues. One can limit or cut out altogether indoor tanning. Outdoor sun exposure can be regulated – used only to optimize vitamin D development, always followed with a good broad spectrum sunscreen, preferably one that provides at least 30 SPF and 4 Star UVA protection to ward off sun damage.

As we discuss these important issues regarding tanning beds and sun exposure, awareness is bound to grow among teens and adults alike.

Jack Surrette weighs in on the Final Sunscreen Rule and Proposed Sunscreen Rule announced this week by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The Final Rule establishes standards for UVA protection, clarifies claims on the label, and mandates new testing methods.

But what does all this mean to the public?

The consumer will get a clearer understanding of how a sunscreen performs.

There will be uniform standards and testing for “Broad Spectrum” UVA/UVB protection.

Although these new regulations are intended to help consumers—they are far from perfect.

Are there issues relating to sun protection that the FDA Final Rule missed?

Generally, the regulations are a respectable start, but there are good, bad and ugly parts when you dig into the details:

The Good –The FDA finally took action (after over 30 years), instituted better labeling and claims standards, and established a minimum protective level for “Broad Spectrum” protection. Unfortunately, however, it did not go far enough.

The Bad – The new testing standard actually lowered the UVA protection level proposed by the FDA in a 2007 recommendation. In fact, the new level is less than most sunscreens provide–on the market today. This means consumers will receive less, not more UVA protection. The UVA bar was set too low.

The Ugly – The new rules did not address application amount…the testing standards require the use of much more sunscreen than a consumer would ever apply. The FDA simply states “when used as directed…” Here’s the ugliest part. Most sunbathers apply less than a half of what’s needed, so they will actually receive far less protection than is stated on the label.

What about capping the SPF at 50+?

The 50 SPF cap is a Proposed Rule, so it may never be implemented into a Final Rule. The FDA is concerned whether there are actual clinical benefits to sunscreens above 50 SPF. In fact, there is solid evidence that higher SPFs DO provide more protection. Consequently, I think that some high protection formulas will remain on the market. They are particularly important, because, as mentioned earlier, consumers simply do not apply enough sunscreen.

The FDA also seemed concerned about sunscreen sprays…

Yes, they are requesting that the industry supply information based on the amount of sunscreen that actually reaches the skin, in an open air environment. Inhalation of the product is also a concern. These are valid health issues that should be explored.

Overall, are the rules that go into effect next year beneficial to consumers?

The FDA’s final ruling improves sunscreens by standardizing the labeling. Consumers will now be able to make a more informed decision about choosing healthier formulas. Unfortunately, the formulas are simply not required to be healthy enough. The broad spectrum standard is too low and proper product application was not addressed. The proposed rules and pending investigations are as important as this final rule. Getting these additional aspects resolved may take a very long time. Keep in mind it took the FDA over 30 years to establish this “final” regulation.

Jack Surrette served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Hawaiian Tropic® for 17 years and was considered the driving force in building a small, Florida marketing/manufacturing company into the number two supplier of suncare products in the Western Hemisphere. His direct responsibilities grew during his 30-year career to managing global marketing and all R&D/QC functions. Jack nurtured and shaped the Hawaiian Tropic brand until April 2007 when Playtex Products acquired the company. Playtex was subsequently purchased five months later by Energizer Holdings. Jack now serves as President of Surrette Associates, a marketing consulting firm and Executive Director of SkinHealth Technology, both located in Ormond Beach, Florida.