Here Comes the Sun . . .

Ewwwww

Gone are the days of lying in the sun at my best friend, Melanie’s, pool slathered in Crisco baking in the sun.  What were we thinking?  We weren’t, of course!  We were just looking to look like the gal in the Hawaiian Tropic commericals! The darker the better.  Fortunately, I was blessed with skin that does not burn in the sun and can get dark .  (That’s what Syrian genes will do for you).  However, in my younger days it also allowed me to abuse my skin by forgetting to use sunscreen.  I am much better in my skincare habits now.  Thank Goodness!  I have a Husband that wears sunscreen 24/7.  I also have a son who is so fair he was given the nickname Wonderbread.  Therefore, I have learned to pay attention to sun and lathering us all in plenty of sunscreen.  

I have mentioned before that I have the privilege of working with renowned dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields of Rodan + Fields Dermatologists and Pro-Activ fame.  One thing I have learned from these smart doctors is how incredibly important it is to  protect ourselves from the sun and the amount of damage the sun brings to our skin. I am not only talking about the aging affects, but also the negative health issues from skin cancers and issues.  The doctors have come up with sunscreen products for not only the body, but also your often forgotten hands and my favorite moisturizer also has the magic stuff so I don’t have to think about putting it on.

I ran across some sun related numbers today while flipping through this month’s SHAPE magazine.  I’m going to cite some of them here.  I hope you’ll think about the effects of the sun and how easy it is to prevent the negative effects of our beloved sun!

90 (Percent of skin cancers caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays)      

30 (Minimum SPF you should be using)

15 (minutes.  The amount of time you should wait before going outside after putting on sunscreen)

2 (hours.  How often you should reapply)

100 (number of minutes of unprotected sun it takes to suppress you immune system by 50%.  
         This lowering RAISES your skin cancer risk)

1 (number of people who die of melanoma EVERY HOUR)

3 in 10 (number of melanomas that begin in moles)

8X (increase in melanoma rates amount women younger than 40 over the past 40 years, believed
        to be brought on by the increase of tanning beds)

50 (percent reduction in melanoma when people ate a Mediterranean style diet)  

These numbers speak for themselves and I hope they speak to you.  I am not writing today to get you to buy sunscreen from me (although I’m happy to oblige!) I am writing to make sure you simply get good sunscreen and use it.  Every day.  Think about your habits and the habits you are instilling in your children.  Being outside is wonderful as is the Vitamin D the sun brings.  However, a little goes a long way.  Take care of your skin now so you’ll be healthy years from now!

And, by the way, keep the Crisco where it belongs . . . on the store shelves!