I just put on my bathing suit (I can't believe it still fits) getting ready to outside to get some sun. I can't believe how white I am this year. Anyway, I thought I would start this thread to talk about the do's and don'ts when it comes your skin and the sun. Tanning tips would be great also. I'll check in later after I scare the neighborhood.

hi jo-jo-mega-babe,

something i find most people dont know is that our eyes measure the amount of dangerous UV rays in our environment.
our bodies then produce adequate amounts of melanin to protect us. (melanin also tans your skin)

when we wear sunglasses our eyes and brains are fooled into thinking we are inside or in the shade and only minimal melanin is produced to protect us from the sun's rays.

as a result we develop skin cancers.

it is much safer to be in the sun without your sunglasses.
if your eyes start to feel strained or sore from the light that is probably a good indicator that its time to get out of the sun anyway.

so, when you keep your sunnies off, your skin protects itself and you score a great tan.

I don't tan... . I Burn!

Stick a fork in me, I'm done!

turquoise I have read that UV rays are very damaging to the eyes--and they are believed to be one cause of cataracts. I would not suggest that people go into the sun without wearing sunglasses--and I would be sure that the glasses were meant to block UV.

Given the dangers of skin cancer (and sun exposure is the main cause), and the sun's known ability to cause wrinkling, skin damage and premature aging, I don't understand why anyone would want to get a tan anymore. I live close to the beach, but, for the past several years, I have been struck by the fact I never see tanned people around anymore in the summer. People either seem to be avoiding prolonged sun exposure or they are using sun blocker products.

If one does go into the sun one should use a sun blocker or sun screen with a minimum spf of at least 15. Time spent in the sun should be minimal at first, and gradually increased with each subsequent exposure.

Particular care should be taken with children in the sun. With a child a sun screen with an spf of 30 would be wise. But, burning can occur even with a sun blocker, so exposure time should still be limited. Severe sunburns in childhood have been linked to adult skin cancers.

Personally, I think we should all get over the idea that a tan is a "healthy look". It is not healthy for the skin.

People who enjoy the beach, golfing, tennis, boating, etc. should be very careful and should take proper precautions about protecting their skin.

Here's some good info on tanning myths:

Dermatology Times Web site
 
 
 SUN PROTECTION : Tanning myths.
Issue: Sept, 2000
Wherever you picked up your information on "safe" tanning, chances are it's debatable, if not downright wrong. Three common misconceptions are debunked about how your body responds to the sun.
Myth: A base tan protects you.
Truth: Any natural tan is a sign of skin damage. "Your DNA has to be under attack before melanin, the pigment responsible for skin darkening, can be produced," explains Nicholas Lowe, a clinical professor dermatology at UCLA School of Medicine. A tan provides an SPF of 2 at most.
Myth: You need to wear sunscreen only between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Truth: UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn, are at their peak around 12:30 p.m. and are all but exhausted by 2 p.m. But UVA rays, the culprits for aging the skin, are present almost all day long. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to guard against both harmful rays.
Myth: Taking antioxidant supplements prevents sunburn.
Truth: Some studies show that using supplements with betacarotene may result in a milder sunburn -- but they don't prevent it. Unfortunately, there's no safer way to protect yourself than using sunscreen and minimizing your time in the sun.

Health
July/August 2000
COPYRIGHT 2000 Advanstar Communications, Inc.

And here's a link to a useful article on children and the sun:

THE INFORMED PARENT: Dangers of Sun Exposure http://www.informedparent.com/articles/sunexposure.html

And here's an interesting article on the controversy surrounding this issue:
 
Dermatology Times Web site

 Tanning executive predicts backlash from 'sun scare' : Ambiguity of statistical data on melanoma incidence and death rates leaves room for debate.
Author/s: Martin Kohl
Issue: August, 2000

Jackson, Mich. -- Public education campaigns on sun exposure have gone too far in their recommendations, according to a tanning industry official.
Unless the dermatology community "comes around" in the way it presents its message on melanoma and sunlight, "they stand to put themselves in position for a backlash. I don't want to see that because that would mean people would lose confidence in them, and so much of their message has been good," said Joseph Levy, executive director of the International Smart Tan Network, a Michigan-based suntan lounge trade association.
While he did not want to suggest that melanoma is not a serious problem, Levy explained that recent studies had shown an increased incidence of melanoma diagnosis but no corresponding increase in the number of deaths.
"The death rate hasn't risen in a fashion commensurate with incidence rate, which has risen much more sharply. That's not statistically possible. We might need to look at what's going on there," he said.
Dermatology, countered Hugh Greenway, M.D., has done a good job of public education, and that's why more melanomas are being diagnosed and treated.
Finding the lesions early is paramount, said Dr. Greenway, chairman of dermatology at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif., "because that means the lesions we're seeing more of, we get early, and the key to the cure of cancer is early diagnosis."
Political fight?
Levy characterized the disagreement between dermatologists and advocates of tanning as a "political fight."
"There is an awful lot of money in selling fear of the sun," he said, "and a lot of it is justifiable because we need to respect sunlight and the dangers of getting too much. But marketing [of sunscreen products] has started to drive the science.
"One group recommends people wear sunscreen 365 days a year. I don't believe they made a climate exception for that. And today almost all women's cosmetics contain sunscreen. It's a good product if it's being used intelligently, but it's being overused," Levy said.
While he did not mention sunscreen products, Dr. Greenway did say that focusing on the problem of UV light from the sun might be more important.
"I think we have to ask what's the goal here and what's the problem. The problem is that melanoma kills people. It's the fastest increasing cancer we have. There seems to be a significant lag period in the development of [melanoma] related to exposure to ultraviolet radiation a number of years previously."
Cause of increase uncertain
Dr. Greenway also noted that Australia, another country with a serious melanoma problem, found the same rise in the number of diagnoses and drop in the number of deaths reported.
A possible cause for the ambiguous statistics on diagnosis and death, Levy said, might be the increased removal of thinner lesions by dermatologists. "The harvesting of thinner lesions, which may not have been the practice years ago, may be one answer for the increases in diagnoses. I think we really need to take a look at what is going on statistically before we sound too many alarm bells," he said.
Lesions are removed because they are judged to be malignant, Dr. Greenway said. Suggesting that increased surveillance might be the cause of increased diagnoses is not "in the best interests of anyone."
"While a trained dermatologist or physician can have a high index of clinical suspicion and can make the clinical diagnosis, we basically base the diagnosis on the histology of the lesion. That's a biopsy. We use a dermatopathologist, so it's not ourselves and there's no conflict of interest. The pathology for melanoma is fairly clear. It's a histologic diagnosis," Dr. Greenway said.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Advanstar Communications, Inc.

hi chels,

that info was from nola ann lean of 'health and healing' magazine, (january 2000 issue).

it was an excellent article.
its basic point was that if you want to protect your skin (and far more people here develop skin cancers than cataracts) then keep your sunglasses off.
if you want to protect your eyes, dont spend a long time in the sun.

turquoise--This info from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the eyes should be protected from UV rays. The only way to protect one's eyes while in the sun would be to wear sunglasses which are UV rated. Similar warnings appear on many many other reputable Web sites.

I think the best way to protect your skin is to use a sun screen/sun block product and limit exposure to the sun--and not to toss away the sunglasses.

This is from the EPA Web site:

Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun
Since the appearance of an "ozone hole" over the Antarctic in the early 1980s, Americans have become aware of the health threats posed by ozone depletion, which decreases our atmosphere's natural protection from the sun's harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the major health problems linked to overexposure to UV radiation:
-- Skin Cancer (melanoma and nonmelanoma)
-- Premature aging of the skin and other skin problems
-- Cataracts and other eye damage
-- Immune system suppression
Understanding these risks and taking a few sensible precautions will help you to enjoy the sun while lowering your chances of sun-related health problems later in life.

Skin Cancer

The incidence of skin cancer in the United States has reached epidemic propor-tions. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one American dies every hour from this devastating disease. Medical research is help-ing us understand the causes and effects of skin cancer. Many health and educa-tion groups are working to reduce the incidence of this disease, of which one million cases have been predicted for 1999 alone.

Melanoma

Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is also one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the United States. Many dermatologists believe there may be a link between childhood sunburns and melanoma later in life. Melanoma cases in this country have more than doubled in the past 2 decades, and the rise is expect-ed to continue
.
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Nonmelanoma skin cancers are less deadly than melanomas. Nevertheless, left untreated, they can spread, causing disfigurement and more serious health prob-lems. More than 960,000 Americans will develop nonmelanoma skin cancer in 1999, while more than 2,000 will die from the disease. There are two primary types of nonmelanoma skin cancers. These two cancers have a cure rate as high as 95 percent if detected and treated early. The key is to watch for signs and seek medical treatment.

Basal Cell Carcinomas are the most common type of skin cancer tumors. They usually appear as small, fleshy bumps or nodules on the head and neck, but can occur on other skin areas. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It can, how-ever, penetrate to the bone and cause considerable damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas are tumors that may appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches. This cancer can develop into large masses, and unlike basal cell carcinoma, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Other Skin Damage

Other UV-related skin disorders include actinic keratoses and premature aging of the skin. Actinic keratoses are skin growths that occur on body areas exposed to the sun. The face, hands, forearms, and the "V" of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of lesion. Although premalignant, actinic keratoses are a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. Look for raised, reddish, rough-tex-tured growths and seek prompt medical attention if you discover them. Chronic exposure to the sun also causes premature aging, which over time can make the skin become thick, wrinkled, and leathery. Since it occurs gradually, often mani-festing itself many years after the majority of a person's sun exposure, premature aging is often regarded as an unavoidable, normal part of growing older. With proper protection from UV radiation, however, most premature aging of the skin can be avoided.

Cataracts and Other Eye Damage

Cataracts are a form of eye damage in which a loss of transparency in the lens of the eye clouds vision. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts. Although curable with modern eye surgery, cataracts diminish the eyesight of millions of Americans and cost billions of dollars in medical care each year. Other kinds of eye damage include pterygium (i.e., tissue growth that can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (i.e., the part of the retina where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems can be lessened with proper eye protection from UV radiation.

Immune Suppression

Scientists have found that overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body's immune system and the skin's natural defenses. All people, regardless of skin color, might be vulnerable to effects including impaired response to immunizations, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and reac-tions to certain medications.

EPA's SunWise School Program
In response to the serious public health threat posed by overexpo-sure to UV radiation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with schools and communities across the nation through the SunWise School Program. SunWise aims to teach children in elementary school and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun.

For More Information
To learn more about how to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun's UV rays, refer to EPA's fact sheet about action steps for sun protection (EPA430-F-99- 026). For more information, call EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline at 800 296-1996.
Written by EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division
Last updated on April 11, 2000 http://www.epa.gov/ozone/uvindex/uvhealth.html

Here you can find very similar information from an Australian Web site:

Skincancer Research Foundation (SA): Protection

Address:http://skincancer.cool.net.au/protection/

These are the EPA's suggestions for protecting yourself in the sun:

Action Steps for Sun Protection

While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can be dangerous. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight can result in a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health effects, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and other skin disorders; cataracts and other eye damage; and immune system suppression. Children are particularly at risk of overexposure, since most of the average person's lifetime exposure occurs before the age of 18.

Be Sun Wise

Most people are not aware that skin cancer, while largely preventable, is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than one million cases reported annually. By following a number of simple steps, you can still enjoy your time in the sun while protecting yourself from overexposure. In cooperation with a number of leading public health organizations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing these action steps to help you and your family be "SunWise." Other than staying indoors, no single step can fully protect from overexposure to UV radiation, so use as many of the fol-lowing actions as possible.

Limit Time in the Midday Sun

The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours.

Seek Shade

Staying under cover is one of the best ways to protect your-self from the sun. Remember the shadow rule: "Watch Your Shadow—No Shadow, Seek Shade!"

Always Use Sunscreen

A broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks most UV radiation. Apply sun-screen liberally on exposed skin and reapply every 2 hours when working or playing outdoors. Even waterproof sun-screen can come off when you towel off sweat or water.

Wear a Hat

A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.

Cover Up

Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.

Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV Radiation

Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.

Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors

The light source from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes. It's a good idea to avoid artificial sources of UV light.

Watch for the UV Index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and EPA, the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities across the United States.

Special Considerations for Children

Although many of the sun's effects do not appear until later in life, recent med-ical research shows that it is very important to protect children and young adults from overexposure to UV radiation. Because children tend to spend more time in the sun than adults, be careful to keep young children protected from overex-posure, and consult your physician about sun protection for children under 6 months of age.

For More Information

To learn more about UV radiation, the action steps for sun protection, and the SunWise School Program, call EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline at 800 296-1996.
Written by EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division
Last updated on April 11, 2000 http://www.epa.gov/ozone/uvindex/uvaction.html

[ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: chelseabelle ]

My father had cataracts removed from both his eyes and was told to always wear UV protective sunglasses. In fact everyone should wear them especially people with light colored eyes. Now if you are just out sun bathing, of course you don't want to wear any sunglasses or your'll look like a raccoon. Moderation is the key when it comes to sun bathing or being out in the sun in general.

[ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: JoJo2 ]

chelsea-babe,

i get where you are coming from.

i live under one of the biggest holes in the o-zone layer.

but, im doing my bachelor of human health science degree and advanced dip. of naturopathy (natural therapies) and i guess one of the things im learning is that just because a department has a big scary name like 'australian cancer council' etc; that doesnt mean they are the be-all and end-all of acurate and beneficial information.

for instance, dr. robert schimke, a brilliant doctor and winner of the alfred p. sloan jnr prize for his cancer research, concluded that "chemotherapy causes resistance in cancer cells", ie; resistance=cancer.

why arent people undergoing chemotherapy given access to this information by the various cancer councils?

also, in japan they decided to not vaccinate babies under the age of two. (triple antigen) cot death or SIDS is virtually non-existant over there now.

this information is not readily available to the public.

dr. a. sabin, the guy who invented the polio vaccine,
says "official data have shown that the large scale vaccinations undertaken in the US have failed to obtain any significant improvement of the disease against which they were supposed to provide protection."

contaminated polio vaccines containing the SV 40 virus,
cause cancer in animals as well as changes in the human cell tissue structure.

professor LC vincent, founder of bioelectronics, says "vaccines do predispose to cancer and leukaemia."

dr. frederick klenner, a polio researcher states "many here voice a silent view that the salk and sabin polio vaccine, being made on monkey kidney tissue has been directly responsible for the major increase in leukaemia in this country."

yet,is any of this information handed out to parents about to vaccinate their child?
no way.

and any governmental department responsible for the health and wellbeing of our children would tell you to get in there and whack that vaccine in.

what i am trying to say here with just a snippet of some of the incredible facts i am learning is that just because information is found on the internet data-banks of huge, well-respected medical information giants, doesnt mean im going to gulp it down whole.

i think the most natural approach (unless i am dying of something acute or very painful-haha)is going to be closest to the BEST approach.

i do wear sunglasses on occasion, but i try not to all the time.
i do wear sunblock if i know i am going to be in the sun for an extended period of time without a break.

but, it feels awful.
i mean what are all those creepy chemicals im lashing on my skin anyway?

i try and be sensible about the amount of time i spend in the sun.
my goal is not to get a tan, but, to get some active vit D cracking and just bliss out in the glorious sunshine.

chels.
i know you've got my skin's best interest at heart, so thanks.

I gave up trying to get a tan a good few years ago (I switch between the two colours of my local football team - red or white). I'm a very pale-skinned blonde, so there's no hope for me.

Get your tan out of a bottle - I had a couple of moles go weird a year or so ago and had to have them removed - which has left me with two huge, itchy scars - and they checked out OK.

Not worth the risk (or sunburn.)

fay_mc, my girlfriend has been using Coppertone tan dark to get a fake tan and she swears by it. She said that it doesn't make you look orange like it did years ago and everyone in her office is using it now.

Remember the other day when I said that my bathing suit still fit. It is amazing how much the fabric stretches in a good bathing suit. I just want to kiss the inventor of such fabulous fabric.

Now that spring and summer is knocking at our doors, many of us will be running out to tan that skin that has barely seen daylight in months. As often as reports plead with people as to the harmful effects of the sun and the need to protect the skin with sunscreen and moderation, we all know that sunburn will probably be part of the tanning process because basically as humans... we never listen!! With that in mind, I thought I'd try to help any of you who are determined to fry.

Plain yogurt: Apply chilled yogurt to the burned areas, let dry, rinse off and reapply as often as needed to take the sting away & cool the skin.

Aloe vera gel: This natural healer is great on burns of any kind including sunburn. Apply it liberally as often as needed.

Vinegar: Mix equal parts with water and spray area with a mist bottle to take away the sting.

When treating sunburn, please don't make the mistake of applying lotions and cream to your skin. The heat in the skin needs to escape and by applying creams and lotions, the heat is getting sealed in. The skin needs to breathe and heal. After the sunburn has healed, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize the heck out of your skin because as we all know.. the sun causes dry skin and wrinkles.

SELF TEST FOR DEADLY SKIN CANCER
Dermatologists recommend a simple monthly self-examination to look for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer often caused from too much unprotected exposure to the sun. Physicians urge middle-aged and older men in particular to undergo testing, because that group is the least likely to perform the simple self-tests or to visit a dermatologist regularly. Melanoma is marked by the uncontrolled growth of pigment -producing cells and may develop from or near a mole. The blotches are most often found on the upper backs of men and women or on the calves of women, but can occur anywhere on the body. The disease is highly treatable if caught early, before it spreads. The "ABCD" self-test includes looking over the entire body, especially the back, scalp, soles of the feet and palms of the hand. "A" stands for asymmetry, when one-half of a mole does not match the other half. "B" is for border irregularity, meaning that the mole's edges are ragged, notched or blurred. "C" is for color, meaning that the mole's color is not uniform and may include shades of tan, black, red, white or blue. "D" is for diameter -- a mole larger than the size of a pencil eraser, or six millimeters, should be of concern. Melanoma is most curable when it is detected early, so practice those ABCDs. A free skin cancer screening from the American Academy of Dermatology may be available by calling toll-free at 1-888-462-3376 or visit http://www.aad.org.

Source: United Press International

My lord!! You are all taking all the fun out of sunbathing!!!

I know it can be hazardous to your health but so can just about everything else..

Talk about scaring the the neighbors Jo..My new one this year is a thong bathing suit..Even the dog runs

I have a wonderful tan started already this year..If the marine layer would just leave me alone for a bit I should be baking at 400 degrees by the middel of June..

Have hit the new tanning beds this year..They are wonderful no chance in getting stuck in one of them..The top is manual. Lots of room in them too!

"Even the dog runs", Hey wait minute Sandalwood, that's not true

Thanks wooldog You can be very sweet!

The Dog.......sweet? Next thing ya know someone'll be calling him charming...lol

Ummmm charming? No..Sweet..sometimes nasty..sexy at times but never charming..Must be a side I have not seen yet

Sunburn Prevention

• Try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when its rays are strongest

• Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or greater at all times.

• Use a waterproof product if swimming or exercising.

• Beware of cloudy days, you can still burn then Don't use sunlamps, reflectors, or tanning beds. They produce high levels of ultraviolet radiation!

• Be informed about any medications you are taking and their side effects. Some antibiotics such as Tetracycline and Sulfa produce an allergic-type rash on body parts exposed to sun.

Have you ever wondered why don't our palms get sunburned? Well, we know why bellhops, cab drivers and other workers who depend on tips are protected: their palms are always being greased. lol But how about the rest of us?

Think about how you hold your palms. When you walk down the street on a sunny day your arms are usually at your side, palms facing your body. The sun can't get at them. Even if you're lying on the beach unprotected, your palms are safe. If you're on your back, your arms are at your side, palms face down. Lying on your stomach, you probably keep your arms folded in front of you, palms down.

For double protection, the skin on your palms is thicker than everywhere else but on the soles of your feet, with more dead cells at the surface to keep out ultraviolet rays.

Source: What Are Hyenas Laughing At, Anyway? By David Feldman