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Doctor Lissa
Health Care ExaminerDr. Lissa is a healthcare professional with over 30 years experience. From the bedside to the boardroom, she has seen it all, and here she'll help you make sense of your health and the industry built around it.
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The Dude's guide to health recovery: Lesson #4 (Sunscreen)
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by Doctor Lissa, Health Care Examiner
http://images.allmoviephoto.com/1998
Like the Dude, how can we go outside and yet not become another skin cancer statistic? Sunscreen. A great invention. With it and you can join His Dudeness in saying, "This aggression will not stand!"
Of course, we continue with our series of lessons on doing the least amount possible for the greatest reward, so let's talk a minute about how to protect yourself from the sun's rays while enjoying it.
Lesson #4: Sunscreen
The gold standard for sunscreen is to apply SPF 30 or higher several times a day. Some people undoubtedly do this, like lifeguards. Most of us pretend the sun is not really beating down on us as we walk to work or mow the lawn, play tennis or walk the dog, or simply go to the beach.
Women have it a bit easier, as make up often has sunscreen in it. That's fine as far as it goes, but we usually don't apply make up on our arms, hands and legs. Maybe some do, but I don't want to know about it.
Some moisturizers have sunscreen in them, and men and women use them all the time. Research shows you can apply SPF 15 moisturizer to your face, hands, neck, chest and other exposed areas in the morning and unless you are spending the day at the pool, this will block 93% of the harmful rays. SPF 30 though blocks 97 percent and lasts longer. I'd use SPF 30 but the Dude would probably go for less since he wants to do the least amount possible for the greatest reward.
A good idea is to reapply sunscreen before you go out for lunch, when the sun's rays are the strongest.
Ok, fine. But who's going to do that, especially when you have make up on or don't want to look all greased up? Few if any of us.
A great new product, as described fully in the Beauty on a Budget Examiner, is Colorscience's Sunforgettable sunscreen. It's a colorless powder with SPF 30 that goes over your make up, or moisturized skin and can be reapplied frequently during the day without making you look weird or shiny. You can use it on your arms, legs, neck etc. and it is water proof (retains SPF 30 after 80 minutes of activity in the water)! It's also great for children and you can pretend you're dusting them with fairy powder if you like. Also, if you're losing your hair and don't wear a hat, you can dust your head!
I bought some and tried it at the lake. No clouds to speak of and relentless sun. I reapplied once as I was out for about 4 hours. I didn't get burned but did get a nice tan. It was great, not wet or greasy but a dry power that I just brushed on.
The price is about $50 but you can keep it in your purse or desk and reapply before you leave the house or office in about 5 seconds. How lazy is that! Check out the Beauty on a Budget Examiner as she has ideas on how to get it cheaper.
A note of caution: Sunscreen does not make you bullet proof. Think of what your wearing while out in the sun. Clothing does protect the skin against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, but not all clothing provides the same protection. Things like the weave and fabric will determine how effectively harmful rays will shield you. Also, research is showing that people who wear sunscreen tend to stay out in the sun longer than they should, so remember there should be a limit even if you are wearing the best available.
For a list of sunscreens with the highest effectiveness, check the last link below.
Additional Resources: www.medicalnewstoday.com/
articles/113740.php
www.newswise.com/articles/view/529806/
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/
sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php
articles/113740.php
www.newswise.com/articles/view/529806/
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/
sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php
Topics: aging , cancer
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