Photo: Exercise Media Group
GET SUNSCREEN SAVVY
AVOID THE BURN, GET THE COLOR!
By Laura Anne Rega
How important is sunscreen in the fight against different types of skin cancer?
Well, let's consider the facts.
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) says unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the key risks for nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer.
- Over 10,000 people die from skin cancer each year.
- Most of the more than one million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun-related.
- About 59,940 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year.
"People tend to forget about the sun in the winter, but it can still be very damaging to any exposed skin on the face, ears, lips, scalp and hands," says Oberyszyn. "Skiers and other people who spend a lot of time outside in the winter should be cautious, because the sun can cause serious burns that could later lead to skin cancer." Despite this truth, only about two percent of Americans wear sunscreen during the wintertime, even though snow - just like sand, water and concrete in the summer - can reflect as much as 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, according to Oberyszyn. "Even on cloudy days, the sun's rays can still cause a significant amount of damage to your skin," she says. "So no matter whether you're hurtling down a mountain skiing or building a snowman in your back yard, be sure to wear sunscreen."
So what is your best defense? Apply a daily moisturizer that has a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Be sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if sweating. Oberyszyn says it is also important to avoid unnecessary exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - the sun's peak hours. When it comes down to choosing the right sunscreen, Stephen J. Beck, M.D., from Longview, T.X., recommends Blue Lizard Australian sunscreen, SPF 30 - which is water resistant and provides UVA and UVB protection. The sunscreen was designed to combat one of the most intense UV environments in the world - Australia. As an added bonus, the product boasts a patented smart bottle technology. This means the bottle changes color in the presence of harmful UV light - serving as a reminder of the harmful effects of the sun, even during the winter months.
Blue Lizard sunscreen is labeled "very water resistant," retaining its SPF after 240 minutes in moving water - even though the FDA only requires sunscreens to protect for up to 80 minutes in still water. Beck tells his patients to apply sunscreen first thing in the morning. Personally, he uses Blue Lizard as an aftershave, not just on his beard, ears and neck, but also on every area that is exposed to the sun. He also feels the smart bottle technology is a very interesting idea. "Most of the worst sunburns we see in East Texas are on a cool day in March when people think, 'Oh, it is such a nice cool day, I won't have to worry about sunshine.' The indicator in the bottle does turn to blue for the original product and pink in the baby Blue Lizard indicating that there is significant ultraviolet light that needs to be blocked."
Beck notes that the product's most notable feature is its physical blocker properties. "The zinc and titanium oxide resists degradation better than other chemical blockers and, therefore, produces longer protection," he says. "Also, the fact that these are reflective rather than absorptive blockers leaves the skin feeling cooler. There are some dermatologists who feel that the heat that is produced when the chemicals in sunscreens break down actually may exacerbate other skin conditions such as rosacea. Without question, Blue Lizard has been the most protective sun block to use for patients with photosensitivity disorders caused by either drugs they are taking or autoimmune conditions such as lupus."
When Blue Lizard sunscreen was first introduced to the United States in 1999, it was only available through physicians. "We felt it was important to go directly to the physicians for approval and validity," says Jeff Bedard, CEO of Crown Laboratories, Inc., parent company of Blue Lizard. "Now, not only can Blue Lizard be found in over 500 doctors' offices in the country, but consumers can now find it in pharmacies and drug stores." Blue Lizard comes in Blue Lizard Regular, Blue Lizard Face, Blue Lizard Baby, Blue Lizard Sport and Blue Lizard Sensitive. For more information, consult your physician or visit bluelizard.net.
Don't become another statistic, do your part in the fight against skin cancer. Apply sunscreen daily during summer and winter.
