Monday, April 27, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Sun Fitness for Kids and Teens

Sun Fitness for Kids and Teens

You want your children to have an active and healthy lifestyle, with plenty of outdoor exercise. But what about the risk of skin damage? Don't live your life inside — you and your family can be fit and sun-safe.

Every day, parents are bombarded with conflicting advice on what is best for their children. Children aren't exercising enough — get them outside! Children are at risk for skin cancer — get them inside! It can be confusing. But the truth is, your family members can enjoy a healthy, physically fit lifestyle without endangering their skin — if you all practice good sun protection habits.

Babies
Babies under six months should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Their skin is not yet protected by melanin. So when you do take your infant outside, take precautions. Cover your baby's sensitive skin with proper protective clothing that covers the arms and legs completely, and a wide-brimmed sun hat or bonnet. Also, be sure to use a carriage or stroller with a canopy or hood. If you want to sit outside, find a shady spot or put up an umbrella. Sunscreens can be used on babies over the age of 6 months. You can read more about how to provide sun protection for infants and toddlers here.

Don't forget those sensitive baby blues, browns and greens! 100% UV protective and durable polycarbonate sunglasses are also important!

Children
With 15 percent of US children ages 6 - 19 overweight or obese, it's more important than ever that your children be active. They should be encouraged to "go outside and play." However, on blistering sunburn in childhood doubles the risk of developing any type of skin cancer, so it is important to get your children in the habit of practicing sun protection.

Sometimes, surprisingly, schools are the biggest block to children's safety. Many schools see sunscreenas a medicine, and require either written permission to use it, or require that the school nurse apply it. Many schools also ban the wearing of hats and sunglasses during school hours, including recess.

Talk to your school's administration to find out what the policy is on sun safety. Is there any shade on the playground? Are outdoor activities scheduled to avoid the sun's peak hours? If your school's policies are unwittingly endangering your child, alert other parents to the risk, and get involved.

Teens
Teens are under enormous pressure to dress, talk, and look a certain way. Sometimes, no matter how much they know about the dangers of tanning, they'll still seek a tan in order to conform.

In fact, some teens are so determined to get a tan that they resort to tanning salons, where sun lamps give off harmful UV rays. The intensity of the UV radiation received in a tanning parlor may be as much as 15 times that of the sun.

If your teen must be tan, teach him or her about self-tanners. New self-tanning lotions and creams can duplicate a natural glow without exposing you to harmful UV rays. They've improved immensely over the past few years and won't turn you orange anymore. But remember, a self-tanner must always be used along with a sunscreen.

Your teen should know that being tan does not mean being healthy. Make sunscreenapplication part of his or her daily routine. Keep the sunscreen out in the open in the bathroom, next to the toothpaste, as a physical reminder. If your kid is involved in after-school sports, make sure a bottle of sunscreenis always in his equipment bag. Most physical education classes in school take place outside when the weather permits, as does recess, so make sure your kid keeps a bottle of sunscreenin her regular locker or gym locker.

Teens might also balk at other sun protection measures. If your teen complains that the beach hat makes him look stupid, take him shopping and let him pick out one he likes. If your teen complains that nobody else has to wear a dress to the beach, let her choose fun sarongs to go with a colorful matching hat. Luckily, few teens complain about having to wear sunglasses. Let them choose a pair they like, provided they provide UV protection.

Sun safety doesn't condemn you to life indoors. If you love the beach, go early or late in the day, when the sun's rays are less intense. Take a supply of sunscreenthat has an SPF of 15 or greater. Wear attractive sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and carry a beach umbrella. And don't forget sunglasses to protect your eyes.

The most important thing to remember when thinking about sun protection is this: you are your children's role model. Be sure to let them see you protecting yourself from the sun. If you have great skin, so will they.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Scary Skin Cancer Facts!!

Skin cancer is on the rise and is developing in younger people. The good thing is that many cases of skin cancer are preventable. All it takes is a being sun savvy and educated on our parts to prevent the disease.

These skin cancer facts are jaw dropping. It really shows how skin cancer can affect us all, directly or indirectly.

1. More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun exposure.
The UV rays of the sun are responsible for non-melanoma skin cancers. Unprotected exposure to these rays can be from being outdoors, tanning booths, and even through your car or home windows.

2. Each hour, 1 person dies from skin cancer.
About 2,800 people will die of non-melanoma skin cancer and about 8,000 will die of melanoma in the U.S. this year. The sad thing is that many of these deaths could have been prevented by simply protecting ones self from the sun.

3. Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among men and women.

4. More than one million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 1.5 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.

5. Skin cancer is most deadly for African Americans, Asians, and Latinos.
Although the risk factor is rather low for African Americans, Asians, and Latinos, skin cancer can be the most deadly for these groups.

6. 1 in 3 Caucasians will be diagnosed with skin cancer sometime in their life.
1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime with skin cancer. The risk factor is higher for Caucasians, with it being in 1 in 3.

7. One bad burn in childhood doubles the risk factor for melanoma later in life.
Protecting children against UV exposure is essential for skin health into adulthood. A blistering sun burn during childhood increases the risk of melanoma as an adult. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

8. Men are diagnosed with skin cancer more often than women.
According to the American Cancer Society, men are twice as likely to develop skin cancer over women. In fact, it is more common than prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer in men over 50. This makes skin cancer the most common cancer in men over 50.

Sources:
American Cancer Society. Skin Cancer Detailed Guide.Skin Cancer Foundation: Skin Cancer Facts

Monday, April 13, 2009

Living a Sun Healthy Lifestyle

Sunscreen is just one part of a sun-healthy lifestyle.

It's important to spend time outdoors, but by incorporating some common-sense protective measures, we can play outside while still minimizing our exposure to UV rays.

1 USE SUNSCREEN that's effective and safe. Start with our "best" list. Make sure the SPF is 30 or higher. Buy new sunscreen every year and avoid powders and sprays.

2 KEEP KIDS SAFE since they're more sensitive to sun damage. Use sunscreen, play in the shade, and keep infants out of direct sun as much as possible. Check our special sun safety tips for kids below.

3 AVOID MIDDAY SUN WHEN INTENSITY PEAKS. Summer sun is more intense between 10 and 4, also at high altitudes and in the tropics.

4 SEEK SHADE OR BRING YOUR OWN. Cover up with a shirt, hat, and UV-protective sunglasses. Remember that invisible rays can reflect up toward you from the ground, so you may still need sunscreen if you wear a hat.

5 SLOP ON SUNSCREEN AND REAPPLY OFTEN. Put it on before you go out in the sun. Sunscreen washes off in water and can break down in the sun — reapply often. Wear daily on skin not covered by clothing.

6 AVOID PRODUCTS WITH BUG REPELLANT. You don't typically need them at the same time of day, and the mixture of ingredients leads to greater amounts of the pesticide soaking through the skin.

7 CHECK THE UV INDEX when planning outdoor activities.

8 SKIP SUNLAMPS and tanning beds.

9 CHECK YOUR SKIN for spots and changes, and remember that natural tone (not just tan) is beautiful. You know your skin best, so examine it for changes, lesions, and spots regularly. Be extra careful if you have freckles, moles, take certain medications (such as some antibiotics), or have a family history of skin cancer. Early detection is best, so consult your doctor for more information.

SUN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

Kids are more vulnerable to damage caused by the sun. A few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person's lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer. Keep your family safe in the sun by using a sunscreen that's effective and safe. Take these special precautions with infants and children:
Infants

Infants under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun as much as possible. Their skin is not yet protected by melanin. So when you take your infant outside, take special care:

* COVER UP your baby's sensitive skin with protective clothing, tightly woven but loose-fitting, and a sun hat.
* MAKE SHADE with your stroller's canopy or hood. If you can't find a shady spot to sit, put up an umbrella.
* AVOID SUN DURING MIDDAY — take walks in the early morning or late afternoon.
* FOLLOW PRODUCT WARNINGS FOR SUNSCREEN ON INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD - Most manufacturers advise to avoid use for infants or to consult a doctor before using. The American Academy of Pediatrics now says that small amounts of sunscreen can be used on infants as a last resort when shade is not available.

Toddlers and Children

Sunscreen is an essential part of any day in the sun. However, young children have skin that is especially sensitive to chemical allergens, as well as the sun's UV rays. When choosing a sunscreen, keep these tips in mind:

* TEST THE SUNSCREEN by applying a small amount on the inside of your child's wrist the day before you plan to use it. If an irritation or rash develops at any time, try another product. Ask your child's doctor to suggest one that will not irritate.
* SLOP ON SUNSCREEN and reapply often, especially if your child is playing in the water or sweating a lot.


Sun Safety at School

Children should exercise healthy habits for outdoor play while at school. Sometimes school policies interfere with children's sun safety. Many schools see sunscreen as a medicine, and require written permission to use it, or require that the school nurse apply it. Other schools ban hats and sunglasses on campus. Here are a few questions to ask your school:

* What is the policy on sun safety?
* Is there shade on the playground?
* Are outdoor activities scheduled to avoid the midday sun?

Teens

Fashion-conscious teenagers may seek a tanned look through sunbathing, tanning salons, or use of self-tanning products. Each of these activities carries health consequences. Overexposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer. The tan obtained at a salon can also damage the skin — in fact, the UV radiation in tanning parlors can be as much as 15 times that of the sun. The chemicals in self-tanning products have not been tested for safety; the major self-tanning chemical, dihydroxyacetone, is not approved by FDA for use in cosmetics around the eyes.

Your teen should know that being tan does not mean being healthy. Here are a few more tips to help your teen stay healthy:

* MAKE SUNSCREEN A ROUTINE part of any outdoor sport or activity.
* FIND FASHIONABLE SUN PROTECTION clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
* PARENTS OF TEENS: BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL — be sure to let your teen see you protecting yourself from the sun.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

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