“Roll out those hazy, lazy, crazy days of Summer”, or so I remember the lyrics of the popular song…
I assume, dear follower, that you are engaging in outdoor activities, or being busy with family and visitors, or traveling–so now seems to be a good time right before the 4th of July to take a collective deep breath, sigh, and catch up with what is new and pertinent in regards to some really important beauty and health information during this most frolicking, fun-filled, yet skin-challenged season of the year.
In my previous blog post and FB NOTE– https://www.facebook.com/notes/simp…
I wrote my professional pointers on how to limit damage to your skin especially during Summertime as well as all year-round, please read the link referenced above as a prequel to this article below that goes into much more detail and lays out the scientific basis for my reasoning.
My #1 BEAUTY TIP FOR SUMMER~ Safe, all-natural Sunscreens Rule!
I cannot repeat this advice enough: Use a sunscreen everyday, it is the best anti-aging treatment you can do for yourself. Yet, be sure you are using a safe and mostly natural product that does not contain the type of chemicals which may do way more harm to your skin than if you did not use any protection at all.
Are you aware of the important research that discovered that chemical sunscreens which are meant to protect the skin from free radical damage are also generating free radicals of their own? A sunscreen study at UC Riverside (Hanson 2006 ) proved that 3 commonly used chemical-based sunscreens produced free radicals exceeding the amount found on untreated skin.
While all sunscreens degrade over time upon exposure to UV, most chemical sunscreens in particular lose UVA protection very quickly (some in as little as one hour) and, as chemicals and nanoparticles degrade, they begin to generate free radicals, thus increasing the risk of photoaging. Photostability tests show that ZINC OXIDE, compared to titanium dioxide as well as chemical sunscreen ingredients, is very stable.
Zinc oxide has over a 300-year history of safety, with no known adverse reactions–which is why it is often used to treat babies’ vulnerable and sensitive skin.
Also–Be cognizant of the fact that mineral-based sunscreens safety can be compromised when nanoparticle-sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide react strongly with UV light (*Dunford 1997) and may damage skin cells (*Sharma 2009) *from EWG report. According to investigators quoted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “the primary toxicity concern of nanoparticles is free radical generation. This can provoke intense oxidative stress, inflammation and damage proteins, lipids and DNA.”
How to safely protect ourselves from sun damage and free radical damage?
Look for a Non-Nano Zinc Oxide broad spectrum formula of 15 to 30 spf**which is safe and never irritating. **spf Protection numbers are often confusing to people. Spf ratings tell you what level of protection you will get from UVB, or burning rays, but there is more important information regarding sunscreens than just avoiding a sunburn.
According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, “a sunscreen with an spf (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 is a good choice for most people. It is important to remember that the protection an spf offers does not increase proportionately with the designated spf number. spf 15 absorbs 93% of the sun’s burning rays, while spf 30 absorbs 97%.”
A spf of higher than 30 provides only incrementally more protection and offers false security since people are less likely to follow the 2 hour rule about re-application every two hours and/or after swimming or perspiring.
The most important factor to be aware of is that a spf rating does not take into account UVA protection. A sunscreen with a very high spf rating that provides little or no UVA (aging rays) protection could expose you to UVA damage BEFORE you burn. One study showed that it only takes one hour of summer midday sun of UVA exposure to cause photoaging, and that these changes occur before any sunburn or tanning is evident. While titanium dioxide effectively attenuates UVB and short-wave UVA, it offers much less protection than zinc oxide as well as less safety factors.
So it bears repeating that it is very important to remember that the protection an spf** offers does not increase proportionately with the designated spf number, that is, spf 15 absorbs 93% of the sun’s burning rays, while spf 30 absorbs 97%. A spf of higher than 30 provides only incrementally more protection.
Also, the most important factor to be aware of is that a spf rating does not take into account UVA protection. Be sure to get a product that states “Broad Spectrum” sun protection.
“Zinc oxide is the closest thing to a total sunblock on the market today. It uniformly covers from 290 to 400 nm, thus protecting against the UVB and UVA spectrum. No other sunscreen ingredient provides broader protection”. (Sheldon R. Pinnell, MD and Doren L. Madey, PhD, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, May/June 1999).
Zinc oxide has over a 300-year history of safety, with no known adverse reactions–which is why it is often used to treat babies. While titanium dioxide effectively attenuates UVB and short-wave UVA, it is much less effective than zinc oxide in protecting against long-wave UVA. When you purchase a broad spectrum sunscreen, you are getting both UVA and UVB protection. Again, just make sure it only contains non-nano zinc oxide for the safest, cleanest product available.
In the next few paragraphs, I go into detail on my Personal Favorite SUNSCREEN and recommend a brand I have trusted for its effectiveness and great protection for my clientele for years, the award-winning SKIN SCRIPT SHEER PROTECTION spf 30–Winner of Dermascope’s Aestheticians’ Choice Awards 2016, #1 in Sun Care. Read about it by clicking this link here: http://www.skinscriptrx.com/product…
and contact this company directly at (480) 543-1121 or send them a direct email at info@skinscriptrx.com from their webpage at: http://www.skinscriptrx.com/
and an associate or their informative guide to retailers will surely guide you to a location near you that carries this crucial Summertime skin care product since it is only available through professionals. Please tell customer service that Mary Anderson of Simply Nirvana referred you.
What I personally love about Skin Script’s Sheer Protection spf 30 is that it contains the “good for you” sun protector, ZINC OXIDE at 13.5% of its total ingredients, AND, additionally, it blends very easily into the skin so it does not leave a white, pasty look that typically comes when using a high percentage zinc oxide-based sunscreen.
There is also a plus factor since this is a professional skin care line product recommended and carried in salons/spas/medical offices by ESTHETICIANS and Dermatologists which means that as well as being highly effective, it also contains beneficial lightly moisturizing, natural ingredients to keep the skin hydrated without having to apply an extra layer of moisturizer which is usually required under sunscreen. This makes for an all-in-one, easy to use sunscreen which will encourage you to use it daily as you should 
It is designed for use especially on the facial area–face, tops of ears, neck, décolleté, shoulders, yet it should also be used on top of hands, feet, and anywhere that clothing is not covering you from the sun when outdoors.
It is designed for use especially on the facial area–face, tops of ears, neck, décolleté, shoulders, yet it should also be used on top of hands, feet, and anywhere that clothing is not covering you from the sun when outdoors.Sheer Protection spf 30 is a MUST-HAVE on days when you know you will definitely be exposed to the sun and a second protective layer applied is certainly recommended. Doing this will NOT provide you spf protection** with a higher number, but it does add to your protection by ensuring Full Coverage.
Skin Script’s Sheer Protection spf 30 is also ideal to wear at home so that if you do go briefly outdoors or are sitting next to a window, you will be both protecting your skin from any incidental sun exposure and treating yourself to the wonderful, anti-aging ingredients in its formula which will help to repair the existing sun damage over time and improve your skin’s overall appearance and condition.
Again, keep in mind that the protection an spf offers** does not increase proportionately with the designated spf number. Spf 15 absorbs 93% of the sun’s burning rays, while spf 30 absorbs 97%.” A spf of higher than 30 provides only incrementally more protection. So the spf 30 is highly recommended.
This sunscreen is ideal for beach and sports for the whole body and the whole family. Zinc Oxide–it’s active ingredient– is recognized by the FDA as a Category I skin protectant, meaning it is safe for compromised or environmentally challenged skin as well.
Skin Script’s Sheer Protection spf 30 is packaged in a unbreakable tube and sample sizes are available at a small cost plus shipping charges so you can then carry the product conveniently with you for travel, in your workout and make-up bags, and use them consistently, that is, EVERYDAY, especially during Summer and Indian Summer daylight hours.
So, be pro-active by keeping your skin safe from sun damage and keep it youthful-looking by using only healthy sunscreen products everyday like Skin Script’s Sheer Protection spf 30 with its excellent product formulation, and remember to re-apply every 2-3 hours whenever you stay outdoors.
If you already have sun damage, again, please refer to my previous post which includes guidance on physical sun screens such as hats and other protective clothing and accessories and other important information regarding the dangers of spray-on sunscreens: https://www.facebook.com/notes/simp…
and also please read my next blog post which deals holistically with managing Hyper-pigmentation.
And…be sure to check back here again soon for my other Favorite Summertime products in my future post. Have a beautiful, safe and sane Summer!
