There are many ways to protect yourself from sun exposure…some are good, and some are NOT so good

Magic beans

“If I can’t scare you with cancer, can I at least scare you with wrinkles?”

That’s what one of Baltimore’s “top docs” asked me when I told her I wouldn’t use sunscreen.

What she clearly doesn’t realize is that sunscreen is scarier than the sun for cancer AND wrinkles!

Got to love it

I’m a bit of a ginger. Red hair, freckles, light complexion. If I just think about going in the sun, my face gets red. And even I know to ditch the SPF. Because there’s only one right way to do sunshine. Expose. Then cover.

A few minutes of unprotected sunlight exposure prompts your skin to produce vitamin D. And this is the best way to boost your D levels. But don’t worry about a thing. Your skin knows how to protect itself through this brief exposure, even if you’re fair.

Then it’s time to cover up…

And whether you’re a ginger or a MaryAnne, you should always avoid extended exposure. If you’re outside for a while, wear a hat and clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Of course, if you spend a day outdoors with your kids or grandkids, it’s hard to keep them fully clothed. So the sunscreen you choose needs to be the least harmful.

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (an independent non-profit) revises its sunscreen safety ratings. A section of the EWG website (ewg.org) called “EWG’s Skin Deep,” offers dozens of product ratings. With these ratings, you’ll find the most effective sunscreens with the least amount of unnecessary chemicals.

You’ll also find that some very familiar brands are pure junk. And some are simply dangerous. But some brands are quite good, offering protection with a minimum of risk.

From this point on, it gets a little tricky.

I’m not convinced that a shampoo with a UV-blocking chemical can actually do much to protect my hair.

Or how about a laundry detergent that infuses clothes with UV-blockers? Or shirts and shoes pretreated with “invisible shield” chemicals? Can any of these really be helpful?

The answer for each of those questions is, “maybe.”

But for smart sun protection remember: Stop, drop and roll. Stop using chemical-based sunscreen, drop the long sleeves and pants long enough to get a little sun, and then roll your sleeves back down, put on your hat and protect your skin from damage.

See…and I didn’t even have to scare you…

Sources:
“New Breed of Products Is Said to Offer Sun Protection, but Doubts Linger” Douglas Quenqua, New York Times, 5/28/12, nytimes.com