Beauty

[Katluvr58]

Found an article online from the NY Times regarding sunscreens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/fashion/14SKIN.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration proposed capping SPF at 50+, but it still isn’t set in stone. So in the cap’s absence, a marketing battle is raging, fought on the turf best understood by beachgoers.

“It captures the consumers’ attention, the high SPF,” said Dr. Elma D. Baron, an assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University who sees patients at hospitals in Cleveland. “Just walking down the drugstore aisle and seeing a SPF 90 or 95, they assume, ‘This is what I need.’ ”

But that’s not necessarily the case. No SPF, not even 100+, offers 100 percent protection. What’s more, both UVA and UVB radiation can lead to skin cancer, which is why dermatologists now advise using sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 and UVA-fighting ingredients like an avobenzone that doesn’t degrade in light or Mexoryl SX.

The difference in UVB protection between an SPF 100 and SPF 50 is marginal. Far from offering double the blockage, SPF 100 blocks 99 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. (SPF 30, that old-timer, holds its own, deflecting 96.7 percent).

A sunscreen’s SPF number is calculated by comparing the time needed for a person to burn unprotected with how long it takes for that person to burn wearing sunscreen. So a person who turns red after 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure is theoretically protected 15 times longer if they adequately apply SPF 15. Because a lot of sunscreens rub off or don’t stay put, dermatologists advise reapplication every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

“As you get higher and higher, it’s not really a practical difference,” said Dr. David M. Pariser, the president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[myshell624]

I use a spf 30 sunscreen and my CC cream has spf 30. Most of those high spf sunscreens are too irritating to have anywhere near my eyes. I apply my Paula's Choice Resist Super Light Spf 30, which is all zinc oxide, all around my eyes with no irritation. Thanks for posting the article. I am sure there are a lot of people who think higher spf have more protection.

[Katluvr58]

On 5/21/2014 myshell624 said:

I use a spf 30 sunscreen and my CC cream has spf 30. Most of those high spf sunscreens are too irritating to have anywhere near my eyes. I apply my Paula's Choice Resist Super Light Spf 30, which is all zinc oxide, all around my eyes with no irritation. Thanks for posting the article. I am sure there are a lot of people who think higher spf have more protection.

You are welcome. I know it confused me.

[kmbcincy]

I had skin cancer 13 years ago. My dermatologist told me that he thought sunscreen was only effective to a point and while he strongly recommended that I wear it on exposed areas like my face, neck and hands, for protection against reflected sunlight, he said I needed a PHYSICAL block. He told me about Sun Precautions, a company started by a melanoma survivor, which makes sun protective clothing, hats, parasols, etc. Knowing how sensitive my skin is, he said that rather than using a high SPF, I could "layer" a lower SPF. I have done that, using DHC's White Sunscreen SPF 25, and wearing Solumbra Hats, using their Parasols, and have had no recurrence of skin cancer. Hope this helps!!!

[GloriBee]

Thanks for the article.

[Katluvr58]

On 5/22/2014 kmbcincy said: I had skin cancer 13 years ago. My dermatologist told me that he thought sunscreen was only effective to a point and while he strongly recommended that I wear it on exposed areas like my face, neck and hands, for protection against reflected sunlight, he said I needed a PHYSICAL block. He told me about Sun Precautions, a company started by a melanoma survivor, which makes sun protective clothing, hats, parasols, etc. Knowing how sensitive my skin is, he said that rather than using a high SPF, I could "layer" a lower SPF. I have done that, using DHC's White Sunscreen SPF 25, and wearing Solumbra Hats, using their Parasols, and have had no recurrence of skin cancer. Hope this helps!!!

Thank you. I have vitiligo and yesterday I had to go out. I am currently using a lightening agent to get rid of some pigmented spots as well as retin a. Anyway yesterday I put on JM SPF47, then an Aloe SPF 35 and then a sunmilk SPF45. No new spots thank goodness. I do get confused about all the different products though.

[kmbcincy]

On 5/22/2014 Katluvr58 said:

On 5/22/2014 kmbcincy said: I had skin cancer 13 years ago. My dermatologist told me that he thought sunscreen was only effective to a point and while he strongly recommended that I wear it on exposed areas like my face, neck and hands, for protection against reflected sunlight, he said I needed a PHYSICAL block. He told me about Sun Precautions, a company started by a melanoma survivor, which makes sun protective clothing, hats, parasols, etc. Knowing how sensitive my skin is, he said that rather than using a high SPF, I could "layer" a lower SPF. I have done that, using DHC's White Sunscreen SPF 25, and wearing Solumbra Hats, using their Parasols, and have had no recurrence of skin cancer. Hope this helps!!!

Thank you. I have vitiligo and yesterday I had to go out. I am currently using a lightening agent to get rid of some pigmented spots as well as retin a. Anyway yesterday I put on JM SPF47, then an Aloe SPF 35 and then a sunmilk SPF45. No new spots thank goodness. I do get confused about all the different products though.

I know. Sometimes you are overwhelmed by all the numbers and competing brand information. I remember how relieved I felt when my doctor told me I could layer the lower SPF because I had struggled to find a sunscreen I could tolerate. Thanks goodness for Sun Precautions as well...I really credit their products for saving my skin. I really rely on their hats, scarves and parasols to block the sun's skin damaging rays!! :-)

[Katluvr58]

Thank you about the Sun Precautions. The hats are a bit costly but the sunscreens are in my ball park. Solbar is one that my derm gave me samples of many years ago when I was first diagnosed.

[kmbcincy]

On 5/22/2014 Katluvr58 said:

Thank you about the Sun Precautions. The hats are a bit costly but the sunscreens are in my ball park. Solbar is one that my derm gave me samples of many years ago when I was first diagnosed.

[Wackers3]

I read yesterday that they are now recommending pregnant women NOT to use the chemical sunscreen avobenzone ............ read it on the Truth-in-Aging Site from an email link about the latest Good HouseKeeping SOA on skincare and related products. Marta, the founder breaks down all the products by ingredients, much like Paula's Choice site does. They didn't fare well at all and the sunscreen on Good HouseKeeping's list was just under $100 which is absurd. Especially since it had chemical spf ingredients~