Summer Servival Part 14:10 STEPS TO SUCCEED IN THE HEAT: Reason #8

8. Sunscreen – In addition to helping reduce the instances of skin cancer, which is important for long-term health, applying liberal amounts of sunscreen will also prevent short-term sunburn that increases an athlete’s skin temperature and may make them more susceptible to heat related problems.

Lather the Lotion:

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.  Reduced sun exposure coupled with regular of sunscreen may help protect skin from disease & premature aging.

 4 Points to Better Understand Sunscreen:

1. Active Ingredients:  Select a broad – spectrum sunscreen that protects skin against UVB & UVA.  Among a list of active ingredients, choose a sunscreen that includes zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or Parsol 1789.  Active ingredients in sunscreens are considered either an absorber or reflector.  Absorbers create a chemical reaction to absorb UV rays.  Commonly used absorbers include homosalate, octisalate, octinozate, octocrylene, oxyybezone, & avobenzone.  Reflectors are physical barriers that block UV rays.  The reflectors are titanium dioxide & zinc oxide.  Most sunscreens contain a mixture of absorbers & reflectors.  Because active ingredients may lose their effectiveness over time, expired formulas should be discarded.
   
2. SPF Level: Sun Protective Factor, or SPF, measures the protection against UVB.  Dermatologist widely recommends using a screen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.  An SPF 30 protects against 97% of UVB rays.
   
3. Activities: Determine your activity & apply a product that is appropriate.  For instance, if you’re swimming or enjoying a water activity, use a waterproof sunscreen; if you’re playing tennis or another sport, use a sweatproof or nongreasy formula.  Hypoallergenic formulas are also available for sensitive skin.
   
4. Applications:  Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside to allow time for it to penetrate or bind to the skin.  An average sized adult should apply one to two ounces of the formula to areas exposed to sunlight.  Reapply application every two hours, or more frequently if the formula has bee diluted due to seat, water or clothing.  Many sunscreens manufactures offer variety consistencies to suit individual preferences, such as creams, lotion & moisturizers.