Posts Tagged ‘sunscreen’

They get no respect!

Friday, January 20th, 2012

When it comes protection from the sun’s UV rays, the ears are often the Rodney Dangerfields of the body…they get no respect.  The skin of the ears (particularly at the tips) is sensitive and can burn easily, but baseball caps and short hair often leave them exposed and vulnerable.

When you apply sunscreen…as we hope you do…don’t forget to give your ears the respect (and protection) they deserve.

Have you checked out LaFerriere & Kienstra’s Sun Safety Protection package?  It may be just what you need to protect your skin from sun damage!

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The Key To Sun Safety

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

When the sunlight lasts longer, many head to the local drug store to stock up on sunscreen. Due to increased skin cancer awareness efforts the public is more conscious than ever of applying sunscreen, but how high of an SPF is really needed?

“We don’t have any data to show that anything above 50 adds any value for anybody,” says director of the FDA drug center Dr. Janet Woodcock.

In fact, the FDA is currently considering a proposal to ban sunscreens with sun protection factors over 50. Many doctors believe using a sunscreen with an SPF of over 50 can introduce higher levels of unnecessary irritants to the body without a higher level of skin protection. Doctors suggest finding a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50 before enjoying those bright summer days.

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The New Face of Sunscreen

Monday, June 20th, 2011

After years of confusing SPF numbers and sunblock promises, the FDA is adopting new sunscreen regulations. Though the regulations will not be in effect for a year, they promise clear information and precise wording on sunscreen labels.

You will no longer see these terms on sunscreen bottles:

  • Sunblock
  • Waterproof
  • Sweatproof

Instead, sunscreen manufacturers may advertise how long the sunscreen is “water resistant.” Sunscreens are now also required to be broad spectrum. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect equally against UVB and UVA rays. While both types are dangerous, they affect the skin in different ways; UVB causes sunburns and UVA causes wrinkles.

In addition to these regulations, only lotions with an SPF number of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Although a savvy consumer will be better protected by these rules, doctors remind sun bathers to reapply lotion every forty to eighty minutes.

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Getting enough UV-A protection? Read the label!

Monday, January 31st, 2011

According to a recent report, it may not contain enough of the ingredients that block UV-A…and that’s bad news.

Protection against penetrating UV-A rays may be more even more important than protection from UV-B, which are less damaging during the winter, while UV-A levels remain fairly constant throughout the year.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center recently examined ingredients in a number of facial products with labels that claim they protect against UV rays, looking for either zinc oxide or a combination of avobenzone and octocrylene.  Most did not contain adequate levels of the active ingredients needed to provide UV-A protection.   Some of the products that claimed effectiveness against UV-A actually had none of these ingredients at all.  Only 1 in 5 of these products contained enough of the right ingredients to provide adequate protection.

So, if your sunscreen claims to provide both UV-B and UV-A protection, take a close look at the ingredients listed on the label to see if it contains “the right stuff.”  If it doesn’t measure up, or you are concerned about whether it contains enough of these active ingredients, ask Dr. Keith LaFerriere or Dr. Matt Kienstra to recommend a product that does.

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Sunscreen and sunblock…Aren’t they the same thing?

Monday, June 14th, 2010

No, they are not the same.  A sunscreen is not very visible once rubbed into the skin. These products protect the skin by absorbing damaging UV rays; they break down in the process and have to be reapplied. A sunscreen generally has ingredients like oxybenzone, octyl salicylate or octyl methoxycinnamate listed on the label.

Sunblock, generally sold in the form of a white ointment, remains visible on the skin’s surface, where it actually blocks UV rays and reflects them away from the skin. It usually does not have to be reapplied and will have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide listing among its ingredients. Some newer sunblock products are transparent.

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SPF numbers: What do they mean?

Monday, May 24th, 2010

So, you’re standing in the store, looking at the display of sunscreen products labeled with a wide variety of numbers….4….8…15…30…70…even 100.  How high do you need to go to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays?

The answer depends on your skin type. Use this formula:  multiply the length of time it takes for the sun to redden your unprotected skin times the SPF number.  The resulting number indicates how many minutes you can expect the product to protect against UVB rays that cause skin to burn.

For example, if it takes 20 minutes of sun exposure to redden your skin, 20 times 15 equals 300 minutes…five hours of protection.  If your skin is fair and reddens in 10 minutes, an SPF 15 sunscreen would protect if for only 150 minutes. Perspiration and water will reduce that length of time, so if you are swimming or engaging in strenuous activity, or if it’s hot enough to make you sweat, you should reapply sunscreen more frequently.

Some research suggests that sunscreen products work best when applied to the skin 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied within the first 15 minutes to two hours in the sun.

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