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Clothing is recommended
because it can reduce exposure to a broad spectrum of UVA
and UVB rays. While sunscreen remains an important part of a
balanced sun protection plan, many organizations such as the
American Cancer Society, the Skin Cancer Foundation and the
American Academy of Dermatology recommend wearing
tightly-woven protective clothes.
Sunscreen originally blocked only UVB rays, the ones that
cause a tan or sunburn. UVA rays were thought to be safe,
but a few years ago scientists learned that UVA rays are
dangerous. Now most sunscreens block some UVA rays, but not
all of them, and scientists still don't know whether the
most dangerous UVA rays are being blocked. Recent research
suggests that sunscreen may not prevent melanoma, and may
even contribute to the increase in melanoma rates because it
gives a false sense of security and it allows people to stay
out in the sun longer and be subjected to more damaging sun
rays. In fact, melanoma rates have increased dramatically
since sunscreens became popular. (See Peter Jaret's article,
"Truth, Beauty, and Skin Cancer" in the July/August 1997
issue of Health. Also, see Dr. Phillippe Autier's article,
"Sunscreen Use, Wearing Clothes, and Number of Nevi in 6- to
7-Year-Old European Children" in the December 16,1998, issue
of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.) Indeed,
the American Academy of Dermatology predicted a 6% increase
in Melanoma for 1999.
Research indicates that most people do not apply enough
sunscreen to achieve the desired SPF, and in practical use
often achieve an SPF protection equivalent to between 3 and
7. The average adult needs to apply more than one ounce per
application and frequent reapplication is required. And
sunscreen is hard to apply properly--it is easy to miss a
spot and end up with sunburn! Water, wind, heat, humidity,
and altitude can decrease sunscreen's effectiveness and it
rubs off, sweats off, rinses off and fades away making it
necessary to reapply regularly. Studies also show that many
people apply sunscreen after sun exposure begins and may
take up to one hour to apply it to their children. Since
sunburn can occur within minutes, a large quantity of
sunscreen must be applied to all family members before going
outside. Besides the expense of trying to use sunscreen
effectively, it is often a hassle--especially with small
children!
In addition, sunscreen is chemical based, protective
clothing is not; the tight weave of the material provides
the sun protection. And a small percentage of people may be
sensitive or allergic to some of the active ingredients in
sunscreens. Furthermore, experts recommend that parents
refrain from using sunscreen on infants under 6 months old
and instead rely on protective clothing and keep them out of
direct sunlight.
For all these reasons, it makes sense to wear protective
clothing... the sunscreen that never wears off!
Numerous states throughout
this country mandate the wearing of a PFD by a child when
aboard a boat. The minimum age varies along with other
particulars, so be sure to read the hang tag attached to the
Aqua Force suit that lists each state and their wear
provisions. Presently, 37 states and/or U.S. territories
require children who participate in boating activities to
wear Coast Guard approved PFDs. Thirty-eight states require
PFDs to be worn while waterskiing regardless of age, and 44
states require PFDs to be worn while operating or riding
personal watercraft. When your child is wearing the Aqua
Force swimsuit PFD on board a boat, ,jet ski or while water
skiing, no other life jacket is required for your child.
But tanning pills have proven to be the
hardest sunless tanning myth to kill. Nutritional
supplements, or tanning pills, that "promote" tanning
proliferate, and ads for them are everywhere.
Why? The Dietary Supplement Health and
Education Act passed by the United States Congress in 1994
allows the marketing of products as a "dietary supplement"
without the approval of any government agency, as long as
the labeling includes a disclaimer saying that it has not
been evaluated by the FDA and the product is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If a question
about safety arises, the burden of proof is on the FDA, not
the manufacturer.
There are only two things that matter in
the production of melanin: your genetics and your degree of
exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Nutrition simply does not
play a part for the normal, well nourished individual [if
you are an American, you are more likely to be over
nourished].
To make this clear, I'll go over the facts
of tanning [melanogenesis], describe three medical
conditions that negatively effect tanning, summarize four
drugs that can affect melanogenesis, and, finally,
analyze three typical tanning pills.
Melanocytes are specialized skin cells
that make melanin. When your melanocytes make melanin,
that's referred to as melanogenesis, the fancy name for
tanning.
Your melanocytes will produce more melanin
when you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
How much melanin, and the type of melanin,
your melanocytes make, once they are stimulated by
ultraviolet radiation, is genetically determined.
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