Category — Skin Protection

Your skin is the most important part of you -in a sense that is. A glowing, beautiful skin is always attractive and most people would kill to have it anytime any day. Nutritionists and experts consistently advise taking good sunscreen care of the skin. Research has shown that people who neglect their skin and are altogether nonchalant about this important part of their bodies often get to regret it later on as they age faster than their counterparts. There are various ways via which the skin can be taken care of and maintained so that it consistently gives that ageless quality that we all so desire.

Apart from using moisturizers to protect the skin from scales and dryness, exfoliators and cleaners, skin care experts and nutritionists often advise that the amount of fatty food taken be low, fruits are also advised as a critical part of our daily diets. Because fruits contain anti-oxidants, the body tends to process it more and there are little or no fatty deposits.

Another important tip to note is reducing the amount of time spent in the sun. During the summer, it is normal for everybody to want to go to the beach and suntan. People often buy tanning lotions and creams. One other important skin protector used during the summer are the sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen lotions and creams basically prevent your skin from the direct contact of UV rays which can cause skin cancer. In fact, according to the FDA, over ten thousand people die of skin cancer every year. While skin cancer isn’t caused by just extreme exposure to sun, over seventy percent of the total number of deaths recorded is as a result of skin cancer.

People who expose themselves to the sun without using sunscreen are at a risk of developing melanoma, and aging faster. Estimates between the number of people who had cancer in 1998 and 2000, showed that between the ten year period, the number of people who had been diagnosed with skin cancer had increased by sixty seven percent and out of this, over fifty percent were melanoma related cases caused by increased exposure to the sun.

Protecting your skin from the direct impact of UV rays include getting fully clothed, applying sunscreen lotions containing SPF 15. This works great and should be applied fifteen minutes before even steeping out into the sun. If you have to use a moisturizer, make the sunscreen the foundation before applying the moisturizer. It is important to know that while tanning creams and lotions can protect you from getting sunburned, it cannot function as sunscreen which protects you from skin cancer and over-exposure.

While the sunscreen is mostly applied by many people during the summer, wise people apply it all year round. As they know that even when it isnt sunny and the temperature isnt scorching, they need to use it to help eliminate and fade away the wrinkles on their face or aging signs.

According to the Centers of Disease control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, can be treated and the success rate for recovery is very high. The third most common form of the disease, melanoma, is the most dangerous, especially among young people. They estimate that between 65-90% of melanomas are attributed to exposure to UV light. The CDC also reports that in 2005 8345 people died of melanoma.

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of skin cancer. Some of these are a family history of the disease, a light natural skin color, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes and a history of sunburns at an early age.

Ultraviolet light (UV) is an invisible form of light and can come from several sources. The most common being the sun but also from tanning beds and sunlamps.

With the summer months upon us and more people outside in the sun we must think of how to protect against skin cancer. Due to recent studies there is good news that there is a natural way to help in this effort. Lutein has been found to help us do this from the inside.

For some time now lutein has been known for its ability to protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but there is new evidenence that it can also help protect one from the dangerous effects of UVB light and skin cancer.

Lutein can be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale as well as in egg yolks. It is a potent antioxidant that may help protect our skin from the harmful effects of sun damage.

Dr Salvador Gonsalez of Harvard University led a study in this area. He is quoted as saying “Lutein has been widely recognized for its eye health benefits for several years. But, our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer. Dr Gonsalez goes on to say “In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health”.

Lutein is present in the eyes and skin of the human body.
Also it is found in the cervix and breasts of women. It acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting us from the effects of aging. It also has the effect of filtering light which helps protect us from the damaging effects of the sun. The body can not produce lutein and it must be obtained thru nutrition or supplementation.

There are two types of harmful rays found in sunlight, these are UVA and UVB. The first, UVA rays are responsible for contributing to the wrinkling of skin and the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that are primarily responsible for sunburn and skin cancer.

A good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) can be effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays, but there are some other things you must be aware of to protect yourself and your family.

- When in the sun wear wrap around UL-blocking sunglasses.
The reason for this is that over time exposure to UV light can cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which is an irreversible form of blindness.

- For parents, always protect your children’s skin. Studies have shown that even one severe sunburn can double the chance of skin cancer later in life.

- When applying sunscreen always check the expiration date.
Most have a shelf life of three years or less.

- Consumption of 6 mg. of lutein a day, either from diet or nutritional supplementation is recommended.

-Wear protective clothing to protect exposed skin and a wide brim hat to protect head, eyes, ears and neck.

- Seek shade during the hottest part of the day when UV light is most intensive.

In conclusion, while sunlight can be damaging there are also benefits to sunlight. This is where we also receive some of the vitamins our bodies require. Exposure to the sun should be done in moderation and by taking some of the steps that I described above to minimize the negative effects can also be a lot of fun. Enjoy your summer.