Nanoparticle Zinc Sunscreens.. BEST!
Has anyone heard doom-and-gloom stories about the potential health dangers of teeny nano particles in their sunscreen? Well I have been concerned about that too so have been keeping my eye on a study by Environmental Working Group. Their latest report says that they expected to find some nasty issues with sunscreens containing nano ingredients BUT.. they actually find that nano products are much safer than any other sunscreen, and in fact they recommend sunscreens containing nano ingredients. As well as containing less harmful ingredients, they give 20% more protection from UVA than any other sunscreen.
I’M SOLD!!
Close Your Window Shade! Melanoma up to 25 Times Higher in Pilots
A physio friend of mine told me of a study of melanoma skin cancer in pilots. I did a bit of Googling and found out that pilots’ melanoma risk is up to 25 TIMES higher! You know, it makes complete sense to think that at that altitude, above the cloud, UV radiation would be stronger…
This is a snippet of an article from a BBC story on the study:
“Farrol Kahn, director of the Aviation Health Institute, said: “One of the main factors would probably be from the radiation because pilots usually sit in the cockpit in short sleeves next to the windows”
BBC Pilots have ‘higher skin cancer risk’ Thursday, 17 February, 2000
Finally! – Sunscreen/Hand Cream by Hissyfit
Well who would’ve thunk? A high protection sunscreen and hand cream in one! Ahh, finally…
Hissyfit are taking sunscreen to a higher level. Go here to check out their website to see some more fantastic products.
SunSCREEN vs SunBLOCK – different..
It is a shockingly widespread belief that sun cream gives you a super-human sun barrier. NOT TRUE! It is an extremely important part of our skincare routine but certainly not a license to hang out in the sun all day long under the false assumption that we are safe inside an invincible shield
Basic things to know about sun creams:
*Sunscreen and sunblock works differently. Sunscreen contains chemicals which absorb UV. Some people may have an allergic reaction to these chemical absorbers. Sunblock is a physical sun barrier which deflects the sun’s rays. Active mineral ingredients in Sunblock are titanium dioxide and/or zinc dioxide.
*SPF (Sunburn Protection Factor). The number on the label is basically a guide to the amount of protection you should have from sunburn. For example. If it takes your skin three minutes to develop a sunburn, and you apply SPF 15 (15×3=45) it will generally take you 45 minutes to develop a sunburn. Needless to say, the effectiveness of a sun cream is relative to your skin’s own natural sun tolerance, HOW MUCH YOU APPLY and to the intensity of the sun (time of day and distance from the equator).
*SPF is a measure for UVB radiation only. There is now a labeling system for the level of UVA radiation protection. Look for the stars on the label. The UK is currently using a FIVE star rating and the US is proposing to upgrade labels to include a FOUR star UVA protection rating alongside the SPF.
*Don’t skimp on the application!-The SPF coverage depends on how much of the cream is applied. Apply a liberal amount to the skin In order to achieve the effectiveness of the SPF on the label.
UVA Rays: No Longer in the Shade.
UVA and UVB: How they affect our skin.
Image from Ultra Violet Devices Inc. Website - www.uvdi.com/index.php?pagelink=FACTS_ABOUT_UV
UVA are long reaching rays which are not absorbed by the ozone layer. Exposure to UVA radiation can contribute to premature skin aging and eye damage. UVA rays penetrate water, fog and clouds, so don’t be fooled by thinking you are safe from sun damage on a cloudy day! UVA rays can also penetrate glass. Take a look at the following pictures from a study on the La Roche Posay, Anthelios website. This teacher was facing her class so that the sun was shining through the window onto the left side of her face. UVA rays were penetrating the glass and damaging her skin. Look at the difference between each side of her face after 30 years!
For more information go to http://www.anthelios.com/anthelios-uvraydamage.html
Recent proposals for changes to sunscreen testing and labeling in the US will hopefully give UVA radiation the recognition it deserves.
Left: proposal for new sunscreen labeling taken from the US Food and Drug Administration website. Read more about it here: http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/sunscreen082307.html
The Amazing Aging Effects of the Sun
Aging in Twins Study
Now, for those of you who think the aging effects of UV exposure is over-hyped, here is an interesting study which may change your mind..
New York plastic surgeon Darrick E. Antell, M.D. has been researching facial surgery techniques by performing the procedures on identical twins. Take a look at this example below. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are twin sisters before and after their facial surgery. The one on the right has a long history of sun exposure. Read more about the study at http://www.antell-md.com/twins.html
The Good News About Skin Cancer.
The Cancer Council of Australia says skin cancer is an almost entirely preventable disease.
Most of the time a skin cancer is not life threatening if it is treated in time. Think of it this way; Skin is our body’s largest organ. We can’t see what is going on with other organs in our body, but we have the advantage of being able to notice many of the changes on our skin.
The following table from the US National Cancer Institute, updated 21, February 2008, shows the estimated number of new cases and deaths for each common cancer type in the US each year. It is easy to see 1) how high the rate of skin cancer diagnosis is, and 2) how low the estimated death ratio is for skin cancer patients compared to other cancer types.
| Cancer Type | Estimated New Cases | Estimated Deaths |
| Bladder | 68,810 | 14,100 |
| Breast (Female — Male) | 182,460 — 1,990 | 40,480 — 450 |
| Colon and Rectal (Combined) | 148,810 | 49,960 |
| Endometrial | 40,100 | 7,470 |
| Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer | 46,232 | 11,059 |
| Leukemia (All) | 44,270 | 21,710 |
| Lung (Including Bronchus) | 215,020 | 161,840 |
| Melanoma | 62,480 | 8,420 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 66,120 | 19,160 |
| Pancreatic | 37,680 | 34,290 |
| Prostate | 186,320 | 28,660 |
| Skin (Nonmelanoma) | >1,000,000 | <1,000 |
| Thyroid | 37,340 | 1,590 |
Cancer basically starts out as an abnormal cell that divides and divides and can move or spread very quickly. Getting it sorted out as early as possible is extremely important. Here is a clip which explains what you should be aware of noticing when it comes to checking moles and freckles.
I’d just like to sit on a beach somewhere and relax…
We all need our leisure time and many of us couldn’t imagine a holiday without at some point being outside in the sun. It’s part of our life and wellbeing, right? Well so is looking after our health. We need to take precautions when we are enjoying holiday time and the outdoors. The following YouTube clip is sad and may frighten some people, but the message I would like to get across is that part of living your life to the fullest is looking after yourself and your loved ones.
Enjoy the outdoors but please be careful and use your common sense 
Don’t be afraid of the sun, but be aware that the sun’s rays produce UV radiation. It’s just common sense that we need to be diligent and take precautions when this radiation is in direct contact with our skin.
Simple rules to remember are:
*Stay out of the sun when it’s at its most intense- generally from 10am to 4pm.
*Do a bit of research on your sunscreen/sunblock and understand how to use it.
*Wear clothing that will protect you from the sun.
*Don’t get sunburned. Ever.
*If you are on vacation and get sunburned by accident, absolutely do not re-expose that sunburned skin to the sun.
*Keep an eye on the moles and freckles on your skin. If they change in size, colour or appearance, get yourself to a doctor that very day. Put your mind at ease. Don’t wait or be frightened because it could very likely be nothing serious, or it could be that your actions result in removal of an early threat.
This May Hurt a Little. Tan by Injection? Welcome to the 21st Century
The Barbie Drug
There is currently a study underway on a synthetic hormone called Melanotan, which stimulates the body’s natural melanin production to give a ’suntan’ without sun exposure. Melanotan’s side effects include; increase in libido and decrease in appetite… hmmm. No wonder it has been dubbed ‘The Barbie Drug’. It is also being trialled as a treatment for rosacea.
Trials of Melanotan have yielded significant results. Added to the obvious effect of producing a tanned appearance, other results showed:
*Sunburn injury reduced more than 50% in fair skinned people
*Fair skinned people reported up to 100% increase in melanin in some areas
The dark pigment called melanin is the body’s natural defense against sunburn; However, the problem is that melanin production is stimulated only AFTER the skin has suffered a sunburn; In other words, there is no chance of a tan without first damaging the skin. Melanotan trials have shown the drug can stimulate melanin production without the sun. Sound too good to be true? There have been three different developments of the drug;
Melanotan I – received orphan-drug status in July 2008. The drug, being developed in Australia by Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd, may now be used to treat the rare genetic disease erythropoietic protoporphyria, which causes severe light-sensitivity to people with fair skin. Patients suffer intolerable pain, swelling, and scarring from exposure to light and often can’t go outside. It will be available as a slow release capsule about the size of a grain of rice to be implanted under the skin by a doctor.
Melanotan II – was already being sold as an injectable drug with a very long disclaimer warning that it was to be used for “research” purposes only. In August of 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to internet business, Melanocorp to stop the illegal sale of Melanotan II as it is currently an unapproved product making unsubstantiated claims that could pose a heath risk to the public. You can read the letter here.
Bremelanotide or “Passion” – was being researched as a nasal spray treatment for sexual disfunction in men and women but ran into problems because it caused unusually high blood pressure.
NOTE: The Pale Girl finds this injectable tan fascinating, but in no way endorses it or has any idea where to go to get it. If anyone has tried this drug, please comment on your experience!
