The long weekend is coming!
But before you head out to bask in the beautiful summer weather on one of the last long weekends of the summer (where does the time go.....); take a moment to review Dr. Tara Sloan’s sun safety tips!
Is your sunscreen safe? Are you really getting the SPF protection you think you are? Read on to find out!
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| Photo taken by Simon Remark of Ecstatic Photography |
- Sunscreen Safety:
- Check out the Environmental Working Group’s website for their annual sunscreen review- search your favourite brand to see how it rates! http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/
- Mineral-based sunscreens (those containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are the safest and available at any health-food store and many large chain grocery stores. They provide both UVA and UVB protection.
- My favourites? Badger, Green Beaver, Alba botanicals, Burt’s Bees;
- For kids faces (or adults too)my absolute favourite is the Badger SPF 30 Face Stick- SOOOO easy to apply around little eyes and noses-my 2 year old even likes to do it herself (after I’ve made sure her face is covered of course!).
- Many of the mineral sunscreens will appear white when first applied (unless they say non-whitening); the whiteness will fade once rubbed in and over time.
- Avoid sunscreens containing OXYBENZONE this ingredient has been linked to allergic reactions and estrogen-like hormone disruption- YIKES!! If you prefer to use a non-mineral based sunscreen look for one containing Avobenzone (Parsol), which appears to be safer.
- Avoid using sunscreen on infants 6 months of age or younger unless adequate clothing and shade are not available. It is advised that sunscreen only be applied only on exposed areas when absolutely necessary in infants.
- SPF ratings are very misleading- don’t waste your money on anything higher than an SPF 30. Instead be sure to apply enough, and re-apply every few hours – especially after sweating and swimming (regardless of what the label says about waterproof/resistance). Proper (amount) of application and frequency of re-application are more important than using a higher SPF.
- A shot of sunscreen? The ‘average’ adult body (covered in a one-piece swim suit) requires about 1.2oz (about a full shot-glass full) to adequately cover the entire body and achieve the actual SPF listed on the product.
- Did you know that most people apply only one-half to one-fifth the amount of sunscreen used in the laboratory to establish the SPF? This cuts the SPF protection by a factor of 5!!!!
- In other words with the amount of sunscreen most people are applying we are getting only about SPF 2.3 protection from an SPF 30 product and SPF 100 becomes just SPF 3.2!!!
Sensible Sun Safety Tips:
- The sun’s rays are strongest mid-day (from approximately 11am-4pm). Avoid direct prolonged exposure to unprotected skin during this time.
- Wear protective clothing, hats and eye protection (with broad spectrum UVA & UVB coverage).
- SPF clothing rated 15-24 is ‘good’; 25-39 ‘very good’ and 40-50 ‘excellent’.
- Normal clothing will lose its protective ability if wet.
- Use extra caution near water, snow and sand where the reflection intensifies the amount of solar exposure!
Coming Soon: Feeling burnt? We’ve got you covered (since clearly your sunscreen didn’t......lol); check out the natural sunburn soothing remedies on our next blog post.
Related Topics: Vitamin D: Are you getting enough?
Dr. Tara Sloan, ND is your Neighbourhood Naturopath!
For more information about how Toronto Naturopathic Medicine can help you and your family call us at 416-913-3080 or email: naturopath@continuumwellness.ca
