GCC World




		HOME \| CONTACT US
JUNE 2008		HOME \| CONTACT US
	SUN Enjoy the Brighter Side I t is hard to find anything more refreshing than playing on the beach or taking a walk in the park. But even though it is warm and beautiful outside, it can also be dangerous for your skin, if it is not protected correctly. Then could a stupid lotion really be worth all the effort every time you leave the house? This is true, instead of trying out with new experiments to remove your tanned skin, it is better to put in efforts in applying sunscreen. Stuck to sun “The sun is a source of radiant energy that emits continuous streams of electromagnetic radiation- UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B) that are harmful to the skin.” UVA rays can cause pigmentation disorders and skin allergies like prickly heat. Extended exposure to UVA rays can cause photo-ageing, which is the formation of deep wrinkles due to the loss of elastin and collagen in the deepest layer of the skin. This causes the skin to lose its firmness. Sunburn is a burn and oedema is the skin from excessive exposure to the sun’s rays caused mainly by UVB. And UVA radiation can induce progressive and cumulative changes in your DNA, causing severe damage to the skin as skin cancer, factual figures say that in India nearly 700,000 cases of skin cancer per year. Skin experts say that UVB rays reach their peak at noon when the sun is at its scorching best, whereas UVA rays have the same intensity from 6am to 4pm. So for sun lovers, it's important to be aware of the health risks, wrinkles, a blotchy complexion, leathery skin, and one of the most hazardous problems-skin cancer, are only a few of the dangers of getting too much sun. What is sunscreen Quite simply put, a sunscreen is a lotion, spray from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage. Sunscreens can be classified into physical and chemical blocks depending on the way they work. Physical Sunscreens These contain opaque materials such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or a combination of both and they reflect lightThey are also known as mineral blocks. Chemical Sunscreens These contain an organic chemical compound such as oxybenzene that absorbs ultraviolet light. Sunscreen shopping Here’s all that you need to keep in mind while choosing a sunscreen that is just right for you. SPF Factor: The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UVB. For Indian skin type, a sunscreen with SPF 20-30 is suitable. And for outdoor activities like swimming, outdoor games and specially beach activities, SPF 30-45 that too waterproof sunscreen is advisable. On the other hand the higher the SPF of a sunscreen the greasier it will be. UVA Factor: T h i s f a c t o r r e p r e s e n t s t h e multiplication of the skin’s natural p ro t e c t i o n a g a i n s t imme d i a t e igmentation Coverage Rate: In order to obtain flawless coverage, it is necessary to choose sun protection with sun filtering particles that form the tightest network on the skin. Photo stability: Certain types of sunscreens have a good level of filtration upon application, but their capacity to filter UV rays drops sharply after continuous exposure to the rays. It is essential to avoid flawed protection by choosing photo stable formulas. Water and Sand Resistance: If you are off to the beach, make sure you are armed with good sand and water resistant sunscreen. Application Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25 to 50 per cent of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a thin coat when initially applied. For a sunscreen to be effective it should be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 2 to 3 hours. Here are few tips to suit the skin accordingly, like for oily skin can be benefited by adding a few drop of calamine to the sunscreen. Very dry skin will benefit if a small quantity of moisturiser is added. Any activity that involves direct exposure to sun like swimming, excessive sweating, towelling, etc lead to faster loss of sunscreen from the skin and hence repeated use is a must. Sunscreen should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers. The sunscreens that are applied daily should be of a low-SPF sunscreen (15) as it is more effective in preventing skin damage than the irregular use of a higher SPF sunscreen. Myth busters A sunscreen with a high SPF or ‘waterproof’ or that it has ‘all day protection’ need not be reapplied during the course of the day. Not true, continuous exposure to the sun reduces the sun screen cover. And when it comes to waterproof, no sunscreen is truly waterproof. Instead, it can be water resistant and need to be reapplied every few hours or according to the instructions given for the particular sunscreen. And no sunscreen really provides all day protection. Even with an SPF of 50+, you should still reapply it every two hours, or sooner if you have been in the water or sweating a lot. Q. Additional protection from the sun is not required if a sunscreen is used. A. Avoid the sun during high intensity hours; from 10 am to 4 pm. Protective clothing like long sleeves shirts, pants, sun hats and sun glasses are highly recommended. Q. It’s not necessary to carry a sun screen when on a vacation at a hill station. A. Again not true. For every 300m increase in altitude the quantity of UV radiation increases by 4 per cent. Therefore a sun screen is a must. Also remember snow reflects a lot radiation as well. Q. If you are travelling in an AC car, with the windows rolled up, no need to wear sun screen. A. Window glasses can block UV-B radiation but not UV-A, so sun screen is required. Q. Do you need to use sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan? A. Yes, everyone should use a broad spectrum sunscreen all of the time when they are going to be out in the sun. Even people with deeply pigmented skin, who rarely burn, should use sunscreen. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 'everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun.'1 So use sunscreen, no matter your race or ethnic origin, or whether or not you already have a tan, because it is a myth that people with dark skin don't need sunscreen. Q. Cloudy days, so no need to apply sunscreen. A. Clouds don't block the UV rays that cause sunburn, so you can still get sunburn when it is cloudy outside. Since UV rays can be reflected off of water, sand, snow, and concrete, you can even get sunburn in the shade. Shampa Saha BA (Journalism, Psychology & English)
EDI TORIAL BOARD \| ARCHIVE @2008GCC World All Rights Reserved




		HOME \| CONTACT US
JUNE 2008		HOME \| CONTACT US
	SUN Enjoy the Brighter Side I t is hard to find anything more refreshing than playing on the beach or taking a walk in the park. But even though it is warm and beautiful outside, it can also be dangerous for your skin, if it is not protected correctly. Then could a stupid lotion really be worth all the effort every time you leave the house? This is true, instead of trying out with new experiments to remove your tanned skin, it is better to put in efforts in applying sunscreen. Stuck to sun “The sun is a source of radiant energy that emits continuous streams of electromagnetic radiation- UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B) that are harmful to the skin.” UVA rays can cause pigmentation disorders and skin allergies like prickly heat. Extended exposure to UVA rays can cause photo-ageing, which is the formation of deep wrinkles due to the loss of elastin and collagen in the deepest layer of the skin. This causes the skin to lose its firmness. Sunburn is a burn and oedema is the skin from excessive exposure to the sun’s rays caused mainly by UVB. And UVA radiation can induce progressive and cumulative changes in your DNA, causing severe damage to the skin as skin cancer, factual figures say that in India nearly 700,000 cases of skin cancer per year. Skin experts say that UVB rays reach their peak at noon when the sun is at its scorching best, whereas UVA rays have the same intensity from 6am to 4pm. So for sun lovers, it's important to be aware of the health risks, wrinkles, a blotchy complexion, leathery skin, and one of the most hazardous problems-skin cancer, are only a few of the dangers of getting too much sun. What is sunscreen Quite simply put, a sunscreen is a lotion, spray from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage. Sunscreens can be classified into physical and chemical blocks depending on the way they work. Physical Sunscreens These contain opaque materials such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or a combination of both and they reflect lightThey are also known as mineral blocks. Chemical Sunscreens These contain an organic chemical compound such as oxybenzene that absorbs ultraviolet light. Sunscreen shopping Here’s all that you need to keep in mind while choosing a sunscreen that is just right for you. SPF Factor: The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UVB. For Indian skin type, a sunscreen with SPF 20-30 is suitable. And for outdoor activities like swimming, outdoor games and specially beach activities, SPF 30-45 that too waterproof sunscreen is advisable. On the other hand the higher the SPF of a sunscreen the greasier it will be. UVA Factor: T h i s f a c t o r r e p r e s e n t s t h e multiplication of the skin’s natural p ro t e c t i o n a g a i n s t imme d i a t e igmentation Coverage Rate: In order to obtain flawless coverage, it is necessary to choose sun protection with sun filtering particles that form the tightest network on the skin. Photo stability: Certain types of sunscreens have a good level of filtration upon application, but their capacity to filter UV rays drops sharply after continuous exposure to the rays. It is essential to avoid flawed protection by choosing photo stable formulas. Water and Sand Resistance: If you are off to the beach, make sure you are armed with good sand and water resistant sunscreen. Application Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25 to 50 per cent of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a thin coat when initially applied. For a sunscreen to be effective it should be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 2 to 3 hours. Here are few tips to suit the skin accordingly, like for oily skin can be benefited by adding a few drop of calamine to the sunscreen. Very dry skin will benefit if a small quantity of moisturiser is added. Any activity that involves direct exposure to sun like swimming, excessive sweating, towelling, etc lead to faster loss of sunscreen from the skin and hence repeated use is a must. Sunscreen should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers. The sunscreens that are applied daily should be of a low-SPF sunscreen (15) as it is more effective in preventing skin damage than the irregular use of a higher SPF sunscreen. Myth busters A sunscreen with a high SPF or ‘waterproof’ or that it has ‘all day protection’ need not be reapplied during the course of the day. Not true, continuous exposure to the sun reduces the sun screen cover. And when it comes to waterproof, no sunscreen is truly waterproof. Instead, it can be water resistant and need to be reapplied every few hours or according to the instructions given for the particular sunscreen. And no sunscreen really provides all day protection. Even with an SPF of 50+, you should still reapply it every two hours, or sooner if you have been in the water or sweating a lot. Q. Additional protection from the sun is not required if a sunscreen is used. A. Avoid the sun during high intensity hours; from 10 am to 4 pm. Protective clothing like long sleeves shirts, pants, sun hats and sun glasses are highly recommended. Q. It’s not necessary to carry a sun screen when on a vacation at a hill station. A. Again not true. For every 300m increase in altitude the quantity of UV radiation increases by 4 per cent. Therefore a sun screen is a must. Also remember snow reflects a lot radiation as well. Q. If you are travelling in an AC car, with the windows rolled up, no need to wear sun screen. A. Window glasses can block UV-B radiation but not UV-A, so sun screen is required. Q. Do you need to use sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan? A. Yes, everyone should use a broad spectrum sunscreen all of the time when they are going to be out in the sun. Even people with deeply pigmented skin, who rarely burn, should use sunscreen. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 'everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun.'1 So use sunscreen, no matter your race or ethnic origin, or whether or not you already have a tan, because it is a myth that people with dark skin don't need sunscreen. Q. Cloudy days, so no need to apply sunscreen. A. Clouds don't block the UV rays that cause sunburn, so you can still get sunburn when it is cloudy outside. Since UV rays can be reflected off of water, sand, snow, and concrete, you can even get sunburn in the shade. Shampa Saha BA (Journalism, Psychology & English)
EDI TORIAL BOARD \| ARCHIVE @2008GCC World All Rights Reserved