You needn't clamor
for a second opinion when you're your dermatologist tells you
that most of your wrinkles don't stem from aging or too much worrying.
For those of us with 'mature' skin, we now could have smoother
complexions and far fewer skin problems had we protected our skin
from the sun when we were younger.
Even if we had known
that the sun-drenched look of years past wasn't, in fact, as healthy
for us as we perhaps thought, we probably wouldn't have believed
it. Just try telling your teenage children or grandchildren to
stay out of the sun today and see how well they listen. They may
not stoop to the baby oil tactics of the '50s and '60s, but they
still throw caution to the wind (and sun).
For many of us, by
the time those first surface wrinkles appeared, the damage, we
are now told, had already occurred. That's when we began reaching
for every over-the-counter product that promised to erase those
lines and miraculously reward us with a newly beautiful and fresher
look. Our bronzed, sun-worshipping bodies weren't as attractive
as they once were.
We became confused
about what is beautiful - the skin-deep type of beauty, that is.
After you read further
and discover the answer to that question, you may just start listening
for the UV Index along with the broadcast weather reports. This
ultraviolet listing is found along with temperature predictions
and forecasts how dangerous the sun's rays will be during high
noon, give or take a half-hour. It's a simple scale, based from
one to ten and takes into account cloud cover, ozone levels, altitude
and other factors.
During a recent conversation
with dermatologist, Deborah Moritz, M.D. a specialist in the Midwest,
she revealed several skin facts that sounded alarming, especially
to those of us who don't reside year round in the Sunbelt. I also
consulted David Goodman, M.D. a highly regarded specialist in
Naples, Fla whose private practice is sprinkled with sunny women
over the age of 50.
No matter where we
live, we all enjoy bright, sunlit days. Many women admit sunshine
elevates their mental health, chasing away the blues caused by
dismal days. We plan around those sunlit days and hope for them
when we have free time or when we're on vacation.
Neither physician disagrees
with the idea of courting the sun for a feeling of well being,
but they do stress the need to protect ourselves. Most of the
visible damage we try to eliminate later in life happened before
we reached 20 years of age, although the effects are cumulative.
"Eighty percent of the problems - fine wrinkles, blotchy skin
tones - are really caused from sun exposure, not natural aging,"
Dr. Moritz explained during our conversation. Significant damage
can occur when we are young, but the results usually don't emerge
until after the age of 30.
Dr. Goodman believes
so strongly in preventing sun damage in youngsters that he has
joined efforts with fellow Floridians in advocating the creation
of "sun-safe environments for children."
"We can erase some
of the damage, but not all," Dr. Moritz laments. Sun plays the
biggest role in creating what we consider unhealthy and not beautiful,
she states unequivocally.
"So is it possible
to undo the damage? " I asked.
"Use a sunscreen with
an SPF15 on a daily basis - that will prevent ongoing damage,"
she explained. If you live in the Sunbelt, winter in the South
or spend time in the water, use more intensive sunscreen products.
For those who use sunscreen and are in temperate zones, the best
times to take in the sunshine are before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
"Studies show that despite the use of sunscreens, melanoma is
on the increase in persons who spend the 'peak hours' - from 10
a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. - in the sun. Dabbing on a little sunscreen
isn't enough.
"Regular use and applying
it properly is key," Dr. Goodman says. "Most people don't apply
enough, nor reapply it often enough. Normally, an SPF of 15 is
adequate when used properly, but that is key," he re-emphasizes.
Moisture, water sports and activities that cause perspiration
decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen.
Cover up. Literally.
New on the retail scene are clothing items, including hats, shorts
and shirts, created from patented fabrics bearing tags that say
"UPF," short for Ultraviolet Protection Factor." They actually
block the sun. You'll find similar products in mail-order catalogues
from Land's End, L.L. Bean and TravelSmith and through other manufacturers
such as Sun Protective Clothing, SunGrubbies and Solartex .
A gentleman with melanoma
originally developed the clothing, Moritz said. "He
didn't want to alter his lifestyle, so he devised fabrics especially
woven to block the sun," she added. "Not all fabrics do that.
For example, a light colored tee-shirt gives only about an SPF
6 level of protection." Additionally, once these loosely woven
T-shirts get wet, they are even less effective at blocking the
sun. Dr. Goodman says a wet T-shirt has a SPF factor of five.
"I've never seen anyone burn through dry clothes, though." Other
sources suggest looking through your closet for tightly woven
garments, like denim. Dr. Goodman advises wearing a wide-brimmed
hat, too.
Is make-up containing
added SPF15 ingredients adequate under normal conditions? "It's
important to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days," Moritz advises.
The trouble with make-up is that most women don't apply it to
their necks and chest area. Or ears, if you have short hair or
pull your hair back. Layering doesn't help or hurt. You won't
get the benefits of SPF 30 by wearing two SPF-15s. But choosing
one with waterproof qualities will help make it last longer on
your skin, Dr. Goodman notes.
Tips on selecting
the right product.
- There are so many sunscreens on the market - how do I know
which to choose?
- Sunscreens work in different ways. Some filter light; others
absorb it and still others add a reflective barrier, depending
upon the ingredients.
- Choose a broad-spectrum
product that protects against both types of ultraviolet rays,
A and B. Generally, professionals agree that zinc oxide-based
products do the best job of blocking the sun. Unlike those
tubes of thick white goo from years past, they have been reformulated
into much lighter, more transparent products. It is recommended
that they be applied last, not as a base.
- The SPF factor
suggests the amount of time it takes your skin type to begin
reddening from the sun. For example, a cream with SPF 15 should
allow you to stay out in the sun 15 times longer than you
could without any sunscreen product. There' a catch though:
SPF 30 isn't twice as protective as 15. Go figure.
- Look for waterproof
sunscreens if you're going to be exercising or playing sports
- any outdoor activity that makes you sweat. Of course, use
a waterproof type if you'll be in water. Reapply sunscreen
every couple hours and when you get out of the water. Start
with fresh products - throw away old and expired containers.
And wear it year round.
Websites mentioned
in Part 1:
http://www.sunprotectiveclothing.com;
800-353-8778
http://www.sungrubbies.com;
888-970-1600
http://www.solartex.com,
877-476-5789
Marcia continues in
Part Two with advice on how to help the skin regain health.
