Using Organic Sunblock Is Recommended

Like many people, I see a dermatologist regularly, and no matter what is going on, the dermatologist always asks whether or not I am using sunscreen. In fact, the dermatologist that I see makes it a point to ask all of the patients what their average sunscreen or organic sunblock usage is like. And contrary to popular belief, dermatologists are usually very against going out into the sun so that you can “lay out”. In fact, most dermatologists would recommend that you avoid any type of prolonged period in the sun so that you can avoid doing any further radical damage to your skin.

I make it a point to use organic sunblock with an spf of 85. I look for organic sunblock that won’t clog up my pores and is hypoallergenic because my skin is extremely sensitive. But applying and using organic sunblock goes far beyond this. In the future, I don’t want my face to be leathery and wrinkled when I know now that I can prevent this from happening. This is why it concerns me that so many people in their 20s and 30s seem to be reckless in how much sun exposure they get. I have friends who, when the summer rolls around, make it a part of their “go-do” list to go around to whatever sandy, sunny spot that they can in order to get rid of the paleness that they cannot seem to stand about themselves.

In recent years, I have come across more and more people who diagnosed with and successfully treated for skin cancer. It is a scary thought to think that for these people, their situations-their diagnoses could have been prevented if all they had done was had the foresight to say, “Hey, wait a minute; let me put on a hat before we go out into the boiling hot sun,” or “Hey, let me just grab my sunscreen before we head out. Instead, many people don’t want to be bothered with having to put on organic sunblock. For some men, putting on organic sunblock isn’t quite as manly as ‘winging it’ while for others putting on organic sunblock is annoying because they may not like the way that it feels or makes their face shiny.

The great thing about organic sunblock today though is that there are so many different varieties to choose from. For example, I have one type of organic sunblock that I put on my face, and another type of organic sunblock that I use to put on the rest of my body. And while organic sunblock typically isn’t that cheap (a bottle can sometimes be as much as $10-15), isn’t the price that you pay at the checkout counter relatively small in comparison to the kind of damage control that you would have to do when you are older and frequenting the dermatologist to have skin cancer removed?

So, the next time that you are thinking of going to the beach with friends, do yourself a favor. Pack up a beach umbrella, a fashionable sun hat and maybe some sort of summery linen pants and/or long sleeved shirt, and don’t forget to put on your organic sunblock at least thirty minutes prior to the time you hit the beach to avoid sun burn.

New FDA regulations on Organic Sunblock

The FDA is putting new regulations on organic sunblock labels by the end of 2009. These new regulations will give consumers information on the amount of UVA screening in their products. UVA radiation (aging rays) penetrate the skin deeper than UVB (burning rays) Many labels that you see now such as SPF 50+, organic sunblock, and waterproof will be prohibited. Although the best organic sunblock for skin is long sleeves, pants, wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses, or staying out of the sun altogether, sometimes these choices aren’t practical in everyday life. A organic sunblock will actually block the sun’s rays from penetrating the skin and sunscreen will help filter out some of the damaging rays. A combination of both is ideal. To understand the difference between all the different organic sunblock and sunscreens available I have listed them here.

Chemical UVA (aging) sunblock: Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Dioxybenzone, Ecamsule, Menthyl Anthranilate, Meradimate, Oxybenzone, benzophenone, benzophenone-3, Sulisobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide.

Chemical UVB (burning) sunblock: Amniobenzoic acid, cinnamates, octyl methoxyxinnamate (OMC), Ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate (can casue contact irritation, non-comedogenic, widely used), cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, octyl dimethyl paba, padimate O, para-amniobenzoic acid (PABA), salicylates, octyl salicytate(OCS)-can cause contact irritation, widely used, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, trolamine salicylate, zinc oxide.

Physical Organic sunblock: These are UVB and UVA protection, non-irritating and non- allergenic: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.
Be careful to use the right organic sunblock to prevent sun burn.

10 Great Organic Sunblock Tips

Organic sunblock is used by many people to help prevent sun burn and skin cancer. Recently, many organic sunblocks came under attack for not protecting people from skin cancer and sun burn. Federal Drug Administration in the US does not have any standard for organic sunblock protection as of now. So the question becomes how do you know what organic sunblock to use and which ones not to use? These helpful tips provided below, you can avoid sunburn and protect yourself against skin caner.

Tip #1 Use Organic sunblock With A SPF Of 30 Or Higher

SPF 30 provides protection for most of the day. For example if you get sun burn in 10 minutes, SPF 30 will protect you for 300 minutes. If you use SPF 15, you will be protected from the sun for 150 minutes. SPF does not prevent you from tanning. This is a misconception which causes people to use a lower SPF. People will tan no matter which SPF that they are using.

Tip #2 Make Sure To Use A Broad Spectrum Organic sunblock

Broad spectrum organic sunblock protects both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are present even when there is no sun and can lead to skin cancers. UVB rays are present when there is sun light out. People tan with UVB and UVB causes sun burn and also cancer if the skin in not protected.

Tip #3 Be Sure To Reapply Organic sunblock Early And Often

Water breaks down organic sunblock even if the product is water proof. The sun will also break down your organic sunblock over time. Reapply organic sunblock at least once every hour if you are out in a pool. Be sure to use your sun screen daily.

Tip #4 Be Sure To Apply Organic sunblock Even If You Are Just Resting In The Shade Away From Sun Light

This is because UVA rays are present even when there is no direct sun light.

Tip #5 Be Sure To Avoid Organic sunblock That Contain Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is a toxic organic sunblock that soaks into the skin which might be a contributing factor to skin cancer. Instead look for natural organic sunblock that contains Zinc Oxide or Titanium oxide.

Tip #6 Buy New Organic sunblock Every Year

Most sun screen do not protect as well after 12 months because the ingredients start to lose the amount of sun protection that they can give.

Tip #7 Take A Break At Midday

Midday or peak sun is also a good time to get out of the sun and take a break indoors. The sun is strongest at this point. The sun is strongest between 12:00PM and 3:00PM.

Tip #8 Wear Sun Glasses, Hats And Tight Shirts

Wear UV sunglasses to protect your eyes, hat to protect your scalp and tight shirt to protect your body from the sun.

Tip #9 Take Special Care When Going To The Beach

Organic sunblock may need to be reapplied more frequently since the sand and the water reflect the sun creating a stronger UVB ray. Higher altitudes also gives the sun more intensity.

Tip #10 Be Sure To Drink Plenty Of Water

Water keeps your skin hydrated and improves the protection of your organic sunblock.

Home Treatments if You Get Sunburned

Home remedies may provide some relief from a mild sunburn. Remember a sun burn is a like any other burn from heat in which the cells become damaged. Be gentle and try not to further irritate the area.

Use cool cloths on sunburned areas, you should gently pat to allow the heat to disperse from the cloth after it absorbs the heat from the sun burn. You can try to take frequent cool showers or baths also.

Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids (such as 1% hydrocortisone cream) may also help with sunburn pain and swelling. Note: Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.

There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a strong sunburn-it is part of the healing process. However application of a good natural or organic lotion may help because it will increase the antioxidants in the sunburned area and speed up the cell rejuvenation process. In addition lotion may help relieve the itching once the skin has started to peel.

A sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve the headache. A headache may be caused by dehydration, so drinking fluids may help.

Other natural home treatments, such as essential oils like lavender, geranium, or calendula, may help relieve your sunburn symptoms.

You can try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain, asprin is great for lessening the effects of a burn if taken soon enough.

• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol for pain and fever
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for swelling from the burn
• Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin for pain and fever
• Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer for pain, fever and to thin the blood which will help reduce the burn

Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine