How do you define Summer - Longer days, beautiful sunsets, warm sunshine, beach going, gardening, vacations, BBQs with friends, picnics with the family?
Summer in my mind paints a picture of being a child again. Being free to do what I wanted. Sleeping in and playing with friends all day. I enjoyed spending many afternoons at the city swimming pool. Afterwards we would eat an ice-cream cone as quickly as we could before it melted.
Reality check - I'm a Mom. Summer now means running here, running there. It is hard to believe it is July already. My boys are always busy it seems - softball games, library summer reading programs, day trips we had planned, farming (that's a daily event), 4-H, summer band lessons, summer school.....I am sure I could list more.
Nowadays the summer sun raises flags for skin cancer and the mandatory usage sunscreen. As a parent you are now responsible for showing and protecting your children against the UVB rays. But how much sunscreen is enough? Is there a certain brand I need? I want to tan so why would I use sunscreen? Myths and Facts are circulating every where the sun shines.
Fact #1
Sunscreen does not prevent skin cancer, it helps reduce your chances for skin cancer.
Fact #2
No sunscreen is truly waterproof. They are water-resistant and need to be reapplied frequently.
Fact #3
There is also no such thing as all day protection. Sweating, long exposure, water, wind, drying off with a towel - all play factors to your protection and coverage. REAPPLY REAPPLY REAPPLY
Fact #4
I only need a small amount on. FALSE - The truth is you need at least a palm full or say a shot glass full of protection.
Fact #5
Do a Self-Examination on yourself. Early detection is the key to skin cancer. There are even clinics around the country that offer free screenings. You can find a website with that information at http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/index.html
Fact #6
I already have a tan or have darker pigmented skin. I don't need to wear sunscreen. FALSE FALSE FALSE - You still need protection form the harmful rays.
Fact #7
Its cloudy. I don't need to wear any. FALSE - Actually 80% of the harmful rays can go through the clouds. Also, consider this - sand and snow both reflect the rays. Protection is needed at all times.
Fact #8
Sunscreen does not block your body's ability to make Vitamin D. You will get more than enough. Plus you can get Vitamin D through things you eat. (Bad excuse)
Fact #9
I have an old bottle under the sink. It is still good. WELL not really, most of them have a shelf life of a year. They lose their effectiveness after just 12 months.
Fact #10
Sunscreen should be applied every two hours. Water resistant can actually lose their effectiveness after just 40 minutes of being in the water. Plus if you used a towel to dry yourself off, guess what - you just wiped it off. REAPPLY
Fact #11
You need to use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher. SPF 15 blocks about 93% of the UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of the UVB rays. I have seen the SPF 90 bottles but you can usually get great coverage with the SPF 30.
Fact #12
Economical brands vs. Expensive brands. There really is not much difference in them. Save yourself the money. The economical brands are just as effective.
Fact #13
Use the special child and baby sunscreen for them. They are more effective and made for their skin and bodies. They are not adults.
Fact #14
The SPF number refers to the protection against the UVB rays not the UVA rays. Some products may claim effectiveness against UVA rays but the FDA is working on the regulations for sunscreen products. It would be in effect until 2010.
Fact #15
Use common sense. Sunburns hurt and skin cancer will hurt more.
I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. My wish for you is to create a memorable weekend - go camping, plan a get together with family and friends, watch fireworks with your children, grill out, take a picnic. Just think of the smiles you will have.
Research was done through sunscreen.about.com.
Happy 4th of July,
Julie Fraser
julie@mybearbuddy.com
