More on Sunscreens and How to Practice Safe Sun

Thanks to Jeff, who wrote in with a good point about titanium dioxide.  Environmental Working Group give a high score for safety to products containing titanium dioxide, but there are some concerns. http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

Titanium Dioxide: • If it is absorbed dermally or ingested where does it go? There are concerns about what the body does with an ingredient that it is unequipped to process. Babies are especially at risk because their skin is thinner, they frequently put their hands in their mouth, and they do not have well developed processes of elimination.• Depending on the type of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and how it is processed TiO2 can degrade more quickly when exposed to UV than non nano zinc oxide, generating free radicals. • The American Cancer Society has identified TiO2 as one of the top five potential cancer-causing substances that requires further study.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hillary-peterson/sunscreen-safety_b_890449.html

Jeff also expressed concerns about Zinc Oxide, but it breaks down to Zinc, which is a vital mineral, and oxygen. There is some concern from scientists about the nano-particle zinc oxide, because nano particles may be able to pass into areas of the body where they can store, such as the brain.

Nano particles help with the white pasty look of zinc oxide sunscreen. Mixing the zinc-based sunscreen with some make-up may dilute its effectiveness, don’t forget. I like to layer my sun protection, so adding a mineral powder on top, gives a little extra protection.

Skin cancer is a real risk with sun exposure. The question is why, since the sun is obviously vital for life on Earth? Skin cancer rates are much lower in Mediterranean countries. I suggest that it is the quality of the olive oil in the diet. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/3183834/Mediterranean-diet-halves-risk-of-skin-cancer.html

Early Nutritionists from the 1900’s called whole food, unprocessed fats, Vitamin F, and considered that these healthy fats were a balance to the over-production of Vitamin D from sun exposure. Nature loves balance and will usually provide her own. When processed corn oil, margarines and other refined oils entered the American diet, skin cancer rates soared.

So, enjoying plenty of good fats, vegetables and fruits, may be as beneficial as sunscreen, and give you that extra protection, on the inside.

Sunbathing has only been around for the past 100 years. Before that, a suntan was a sign that one worked outdoors and did not have the luxury of leisure time. Coco Chanel, who inspired women to wear trousers and aspire to elegant but casual fashion, was an advocate of a suntanned look. As a Mediterranean woman, she had the advantage of her French diet.

Advances in medicine and technology brought new interest in health and more leisure time for a rising Middle Class. Holidays by the sea became popular as healthy retreats. http://www.weather.com/health/news/vintage-sun-bathing-20130805

There are no hard and fast rules about the sun, except one that rule that is universal. Don’t Burn. Know your skin, know your dietary habits, and know your skincare and sunscreen products. If you want to keep your skin looking young, I do recommend avoiding sun exposure.

If you are concerned about Vitamin D, take a very high quality fish oil every day, and ask me about other safe Vitamin D supplements.

Hope you are enjoying your summer, and staying cool and hydrated.  I just returned from Florida, where staying indoors was a no-brainer, given the degree of humidity. By the way, ever wonder what the number means when we talk about humidity? It is the amount of moisture the air will hold at a given time. Dew point is how much moisture there is in the air and humidity is how much moisture there is relative to how much the air can hold.  The higher the temperature, the more water the air can hold. And when the air can’t hold any more water, you get snow or rain. http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/190/

There is more to it than that, but you get the idea. Regardless of where you are, if it is summer-time warm, you need to be drinking lots of water and eating veggies and fruits so you have the minerals your body needs to replace what you are losing by sweating.

Shedding Some Light on Sunscreens

Should you be exposing yourself to the sun for the sake of Vitamin D or covering up to prevent wrinkles? Is the sun safe or is it cancer causing? Since too much sun causes a burn, how should you protect yourself?

The answers are not easy.  The sun is safe and healthy, in the appropriate doses, depending on your skin type. The sun also gives off radiation, which may cause skin cancer and photo-aging. Remember that sun damage may not be obvious, especially if you are young. But UV light may reveal what is lurking beneath the surface. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/sun-damage-pictures

Early morning and late afternoon sun is safest for exposure to avoid burning, as you probably know. Light skinned people absorb more of the wavelength that produces Vitamin D, but they are also more susceptible to burning and photo-ageing. Mid-day sun is more effective for Vitamin D synthesis. Human skin can make its own Vitamin D, when exposed to the UV spectrum of light.

Since part of the planet sees very little sunlight most of the year, Nature has provided Vitamin D from nutritional sources such as fatty fish and fish oil. Note that in Nature Vitamin D is always paired with Vitamin A, which is why I think that fatty fish and fish oil are your best dietary sources. Cataplex D from Standard Process can also be used, and is safer than high dose synthetic D. Synthetic Vitamin D has been associated with a higher risk for kidney stones and I have seen stones in 2-3 of my patients on high dose liquid D. The safe dose for Vitamin D supplementation is no more than 800 IU’s per day. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247284.php

One of the ways to protect your skin from cancer due to sun exposure is to make sure that you are eating plenty of healthy fats. Traditionally skin cancer rates have been low in Mediterranean countries where olive oil is a dietary staple. Organic butter contains Vitamin A, and may also be protective.

When it comes to sunscreen, Nature also provides some answers. The best sun protection is physical barrier. Any clothing is protective. Special shirts are not needed. Any cloth that is woven tightly enough will do. Hats help, but if you are around water, or exposed to intense sunlight, wear sunscreen also.

Zinc and titanium oxide are mineral barriers to the sun’s damaging rays, and are not toxic to the body. Remember that skin is a two-way street, so any chemical you put on your skin is going to get absorbed. For a guide to the difference see here. http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/07/20/natural-sunscreen-review-do-mineral-based-sunblocks-work-2/

Being light-skinned, from Irish/English descent, I have always burned badly, so finding safe, non-toxic sunscreen has been a lifetime challenge. In my twenties I met a woman who had incredibly gorgeous skin in her 40’s, after spending her life on the Isle of Mann, located between England and Ireland.  She had rarely being exposed to sunlight and the difference in her face was dramatic. So, I abandoned all attempts at sun bathing and I attribute that as a major factor in how my skin looks today.

Physical barrier/mineral sunscreens have the great disadvantage of being mainly white, which can give you the fresh Geisha look when applied to your face. I counter that by either mixing in a little foundation to cut the white, or I apply powdered mineral make-up on top of the sunscreen. The sunscreen can act as a primer, so that the mineral make-up does not sink into the wrinkles. There are tinted physical barrier sunscreens that also fill the bill.

The Environmental Working Group has a complete guide to various types of sunscreens for all your needs. Check it out here. http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/

I suggest avoiding chemical sunscreens. I doubt we know enough about the long-term effects. We already have so many chemicals in our environment that we cannot control, so it is a wise idea to control the ones that you can. And there are so many choices in physical barrier sunscreens today, that there is no reason to choose chemical products. The Mineral/physical barriers may withstand sweat and water games better than the chemical screens.

Let me know your experiences and your favorite sunscreens and I will share with others.