Are tanning salons safe?

My 17-year-old daughter wants to go tanning at a tanning salon. She says all her friends are doing it. Is this safe?
- Anjali

Even though tanning seems to be all the rage with teens, it's best for them to stay out of tanning salons. Though tanning booths mostly use UVA rays that are less likely to burn skin, don't be fooled. These UVA rays are involved in the development of skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. UVA rays have a longer wavelength and penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin, so they're also responsible for premature wrinkling of the skin.

If your daughter is set on getting a few shades darker, suggest sunless tanners that can be bought in any drugstore. Also, make sure she applies plenty of sunscreen before hitting the beach or spending time outdoors.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: April 2009

Educational Spotlight: UV Rays

About UV Rays

Overview

Skin reacts to UV radiation by a change in the melanin content.  Under strong radiation or conditions of slow change, the familiar reddening (“erythema”) occurs, followed by sunburn and soreness. Human racial groups vary by hair color, skin color, eye type and reaction to exposure to UV radiation. There are six recognized skin types as regards the effects of UV.
Skin type, definition & reaction

1. Red or blond hair, blue-green eyes very light shin –> Mostly burns, does not tan
2. Light-medium hair, eyes and skin –> Usually burns, seldom tans
3. Medium hair, medium to dark eyes, medium to olive skin –> Moderately burns, lightly tans
4. Dark hair, eyes dark, olive to light brown skin –> Burns mildly, tans to moderate brown
5. Dark hair, eyes and skin –> Seldom burns, tans to dark brown
6. Dark hair, eyes and very dark skin –> Insensitive, does not burn

How does this range affect you?  The permissible time for exposure to UV radiation on a midsummer day at sea level at or near the equator without using sunscreen ranges from 20 minutes for individuals with Skin Type 2, to 100 minutes for those with Skin Type 4.
The erythemal potential due to exposure to UV radiation is usually referred to in units of Minimum Erythemal Doses (“MED”) caused by the exposure.  One MED is defined as the amount of UV radiation that produces a just noticeable erythema on previously unexposed skin, and is different for the different skin types.
Most people are unaware of the damage that can be caused even after exposure to low intensity UV radiation, because the dose is accumulated during exposure of varying duration at different times in a daily routine.  Usually the first visible sign is the sunburn, which might appear a few hours after the exposure, while skin cancer may appear years later.  This means that the individual becomes aware of the danger after the damage has been done.
Most people do not routinely use sunscreens unless they are on the beach or a trip.  Even then, they usually do not apply the sunscreens periodically, as they should because it gradually dissipates through perspiration and absorption in the skin.
Altitude, latitude, season, air pollution, clouds, and other factors influence the effective UV radiation level. Therefore it is very difficult to give accurate, reliable and timely warnings to the public about the UV radiation levels for specific location and day time.
The only practical means of protection is a personal dosimeter, a device that measures and indicates the amount of radiation absorbed in a given period.
Currently UVSunSense manufactures and sells a personal dosimeter in the form of a wristband for people with skin type 1 and all children regardless of their skin type.  Coming soon will be two additional bands; Bands, one made for skin types 2 & 3 and another for skin types 4 & 5.
As a safety precaution, each band type is calibrated to finish when it has absorbed 1/2 of the Minimum Erythemal Dose (“MED”) of radiation for the particular skin type it was designed for.

UV Measurement:

milliWatts per square meter	Index Value	Exposure Category
<60	Less than 3	Moderate
60 – 150	3 – 6	High
151 – 580	6 – 10	Very High
> 580	Greather than 10	Extreme

When the UV-Index is 3 (“60 milliWatts or less”), a fair skinned person will experience minimal skin redness after one hour in the sun. When the UV-Index is 6 (“150 milliWatts or less”) , a fair skinned person will experience minimal skin redness after 24 minutes in the sun and when the UV-Index is 10, a fair skinned person will experience minimal skin redness after 6 minutes in the sun. UV-Index levels over 7, around 250 milliWatts per square meter are common and will result in a fair skinned person burning after 15 minutes in the sun.
Remember, potential long term health effects from UV radiation do not depend on skin type.

UV Radiation

The sun radiates energy over a broad spectrum of wavelengths. Ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation, which has a shorter wavelength than either visible blue or violet light, is responsible for sunburn and other adverse health effects. Fortunately for life on Earth, our atmosphere’s stratospheric ozone layer shields us from most UV radiation. What gets through the ozone layer, however, can cause the following problems, particularly for people who spend substantial time outdoors:

• Skin cancer
• Cataracts
• Suppression of the immune system
• Premature aging of the skin

Because of these serious health effects, you should limit your exposure to UV radiation and protect yourself when outdoors.

Types of UV Radiation

Scientists classify UV radiation into three types or bands—UVA, UVB, and UVC. The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs some, but not all, of these types of UV radiation:
UVA: Not absorbed by the ozone layer.
UVB: Mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some does reach the Earth’s surface.
UVC: Completely absorbed by the ozone layer and oxygen. UVA and UVB that reach the Earth’s surface contribute to the serious health effects listed above.

UV Levels Depend on a Number of Factors:

The level of UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface can vary, depending on a variety of factors. Each of the following factors can increase your risk of UV radiation overexposure and its consequent health effects.
Stratospheric Ozone: The ozone layer absorbs most of the sun’s UV rays, but the amount of absorption varies depending on the time of year and other natural phenomena. That absorption also has decreased, as the ozone layer has thinned due to the release of ozone-depleting substances that have been widely used in industry.
Time of Day: The sun is at its highest in the sky around noon. At this time, the sun’s rays have the least distance to travel through the atmosphere and UVB levels are at their highest. In the early morning and late afternoon, the sun’s rays pass through the atmosphere at an angle and their intensity is greatly reduced.
Time of Year: The sun’s angle varies with the seasons, causing the intensity of UV rays to change. UV intensity tends to be highest during the summer months.
Latitude: The sun’s rays are strongest at the equator, where the sun is most directly overhead and UV rays must travel the least distance through the atmosphere. Ozone also is naturally thinner in the tropics compared to the mid- and high-latitudes, so there is less ozone to absorb the UV radiation as it passes through the atmosphere. At higher latitudes the sun is lower in the sky, so UV rays must travel a greater distance through ozone-rich portions of the atmosphere and, in turn, expose those latitudes to less UV radiation.
Altitude: UV intensity increases with altitude because there is less atmosphere to absorb the damaging rays.  Your risk of overexposure increases as you go to higher altitudes.
Weather Conditions: Cloud cover reduces UV levels, but not completely.  Depending on the thickness of the cloud cover, it is possible to burn and increase your risk of long-term skin and eye damage.  You can burn on a cloudy summer day, even if it does not feel very warm.
Reflection: Some surfaces, such as snow, sand, grass, or water can reflect much of the UV radiation that reaches them.  Because of this reflection, UV intensity can be deceptively high even in shaded areas.

Credits

National Association of Physicians for the Environment American Medical Association Wilderness Medical Society American Skin Association American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Otolaryngology American Academy of Ophthalmology American Academy of Optometry American Society for Head and Neck Surgery American Optometric Association American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Coalition of Patient Advocates for Skin Disease Research Society for Investigative Dermatology Skin Cancer Foundation

Friends of the Earth National Medical Association Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Ozone Action, Inc. Alliance for Environmental Education Association of University Environmental Health Sciences Centers Prevent Blindness America Save Our Sky North American Association for Environmental Education NAPE National Office for the Protection of Biodiversity (Galveston, TX) National Association 0f County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement (EASI) Association of State & Territorial Health Organizations (ASTHO)

Baby Banz on A Morning Ottawa Morning Show!

Check out our Operations Manager, Shari spreading the news about Baby Banz and UV protection on Ottawa's A Morning Show last Friday!




Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lP2aHx0Mw

Baby sun smarts Shade, protective clothing, sunblock key to protecting tender skin

Baby sun smarts

Shade, protective clothing, sunblock key to protecting tender skin

The Ottawa Citizen

Nine-month-old Gryffudd Carter is well-protected from the sun in a solarweave hat by Puffin Gear and a turquoise "rashie" by Banz.

Photograph by: Kirstin Endemann, The Ottawa Citizen

If your baby is under six months, nine months, or 15 years, the best sun protection you can give them is shade, says Dr. Cheryl Rosen.

"Truth of the matter is, until a child can walk you should be able to keep them completely out of the sun," says the national director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's sun protection program.

"As soon as they can walk, you have lost control forever." That's when covering them up and smearing on sunblock becomes important.

UPF-rated baby swimwear, called rashies after the rash vests worn by surfers, is a popular summer choice, but Rosen says a simple swimsuit worn with t-shirt, hat and sunblock can be sufficient, so long as the t-shirt is dark in colour and tightly woven.

And contrary to popular belief, Rosen says there is no reason to not put sunblock on children, even ones under the age of six months.

Rosen has tried unsuccessfully to find any clinical evidence sunblock actually harms a young child. Numerous trials have never shown any harmful impact from sunblock, though some of the chemicals are absorbed into the body, she says.

Concerned parents might want to choose sunblocks with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, as these stay on the skin.

"Out of the sun is best, but if you are taking them to the lake or for a stroll then cover them up and put some sunblock on their hands and face."

She's most concerned that studies show parents are good at caring for their baby's health for the first year, then "by the second year have slacked off completely. You have to keep going."

And teach by example.

"Parents are the role model -- and grandparents, too, as it is never too late," says Rosen.

"If they see you do it, it will become just what they do when they go into the sun."

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

The Scoop on UV Sun Protective Hats

Sun protection hats or UV protective hats, are your best chance to have UV protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays or ultraviolet radiation.

These sun hats which are also known as UV protective hats, not only protect your face but also your head and neck.

While you practice sun safety, you help in keeping your scalp, ears, face and neck from developing skin cancer.

Why do you need to wear a sun protective hat?

When you go out in the sun, your head and neck area are wide open to the damaging effects of the UV rays or UV radiation.

• Your skin alone can not protect you.

• A regular light hat can not protect you.

• A regular baseball cap can not protect you.

• A loosely woven straw hat can not protect you.

• UV sunglasses alone aren’t enough.

You need to wear a wide brimmed sun protection hat that is rated UPF 50 plus for maximum UV blockage.

What is an appropriate UPF rating?

Normally the sun protection fabrics are rated by the UPF number. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

So the higher the UPF rating the higher the UV protection will be.

A UPF 50+ rating in sun hats and sun protective clothing, is the highest available - which translates into a 98% blockage of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Which type is better?

For added sun protection and comfort consider the following,

• Lightweight and Breathable fabrics are better

• Widest brim with a full veil or drape in the back is better

• For reducing UV reflections, under brim dark color is better

• Elastic cord or adjustable headband is better

How do you measure your head before buying a Sun Protection Hat?

Simply use a cloth measuring tape which is flexible and won’t scratch your forehead. By going once around your head right above your ears will give you the circumference of your head.

Or

A long piece of unwaxed dental floss or thread and go around your head once and cut it. Then measure the cut piece flat using a measuring tape or a ruler.

Use the Merchant’s sizing chart accordingly and match your measurement to their hat size.

A Sun Protection Hat may be one size fits all, where you adjust it by the headband.

Sunburn Tips to Share with Kids

The weather is warming up, the days are longer and there’s more time to be outside doing all kinds of fun things! But if you're going to be out in the sun, especially on a hot day, you need to stay safe. Let's find out how.

Don't Feel the Burn

Even though the sun is hot, it does cool things. It keeps us warm. It makes flowers and plants grow. It even gives us vitamin D so we can better absorb calcium into our bodies for strong bones.

It does all these things by sending down light, which includes invisible ultraviolet (say: ul-trah-vye-uh-lut) rays. These are also sometimes called UV rays. Some ultraviolet rays pass through air and clouds and penetrate the skin. When your skin's been exposed to too many of these rays, you get what's known as a sunburn. Ouch!

Some people get a sunburn faster than others because of their coloring. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and light-colored eyes, you'll tend to get a sunburn more quickly than someone with dark eyes and skin. That's because you have less melanin (say: meh-luh-nun). Melanin is a chemical in the skin that protects the skin from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. People with darker skin have more melanin, but even if you have dark hair, dark eyes, or darker-toned skin, you can still get a sunburn. It will just take a little bit longer.

Sunburns look bad and feel worse. They can cause blisters on your skin. They can keep you inside feeling sore when everyone else is outside having fun. They increase your chance of getting wrinkly when you get older. And worst of all, they can lead to skin cancer when you get older. Because getting wrinkles and getting sick don't happen right away, they can seem like things that could never happen to you. But you still need to be careful.

Prime Time

You don't need to hide from the sun completely or wrap up like a mummy to protect yourself. But you should take these two steps:

1. Always wear sunscreen.
2. Take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or moving into the shade.

These steps are especially important between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are strongest.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Put on sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. If you are fair skinned, you should use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating such as SPF 30. The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, and the number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So if you normally burn after 20 minutes and you put on a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15, this sunscreen may give you 15 times the protection. That's 15 times 20 minutes, or 300 minutes (5 hours).

But this isn’t always true, so reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, just to be safe. Do this more often if you've been swimming or sweating a lot - even if the sunscreen is waterproof. And remember that you can get sunburned more quickly when you're swimming or boating because the reflection from the water intensifies the sun's rays.

Be sure to put sunscreen all over your body. This includes some places you might not think of, like the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, the part in your hair, your face, and the tops of your feet. If you want to block the sun's rays, wear clothing that you can't see your hand through. You may still get burned through sheerer fabrics. Wear a fun hat to block your face from the sun.

Don't forget that your eyes need protection from ultraviolet rays, too. Always wear sunglasses in the bright sun, and make sure they have a label saying that they block UV rays.

Drink Up!

Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy, especially when it's hot outside. When you're sweating, you lose water that your body needs to work properly. And if you're playing a sport or running around in the sun, you lose even more water, because you sweat that much more.

So drink up and don't wait until you're thirsty - drinking before you feel thirsty helps keep the water level in your body from dropping too low when it's hot or you're sweating a lot with exercise. If you forget and suddenly feel thirsty, start drinking then. There are lots of cool-looking water bottles around, so get one you really like, fill it up, and drink up!

Got That Hot Feeling?

If you're out in the hot sun, or you're exercising on a hot day, it's easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can't cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak.

Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.

Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature. The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.

Be sure to tell an adult if you're hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you're going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.

The good news is that the sun doesn't have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don't forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!

Updated and reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: August 2007

Parents Magazine and American Baby Magazine

American Baby Magazine June 2009 - Easy Listening on page 24 highlights the importance of hearing protection and Ear Muffs like our new ones available online now!!

Parents Magazine June 2009 - Sun Safety Made Easy and Outfits with Benefits on Page 48 highlights the importance of UV swimwear and our Kidz Banz sunglasses for eye protection all summer!

Baby Banz on CBS!!

Baby Banz Pink Floral Hat and Glasses Featured on CBS Up to The Minute segment with American Baby!

Summer Block Party!!

Check out these moms and their take on our UV Swimwear and Baby Banz Sunglasses!






Also check out the summer block party and win all sorts of great prizes, including Baby Banz!!

New Sun Hats from Baby Banz!! Limited Time Only!!

Check out our brand new hat designs available in limited quantities while they last!! We've added Aqua Hibiscus, Brown Camo, Pink & Green Floral and Orange Stripe patterns to our UV Bucket hat line. Get them in a combo set today and save!!

More Sun Safety Tips!!

Sun Safety Tips
It's natural to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities! Baby Banz, Inc. encourages you to be safe by following these sun-safety tips year-round to help prevent serious skin damage—and possibly skin cancer—later!

* Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
* Wear clothing that's dark and tightly woven, includingUV protective swimwear .
* Wear a wide-brimmed sun hatand sunglasses.
* Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
* Do not use sun tanning beds.
* Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
* Sunscreensneed to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
* Apply a sunscreenwith a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you're outdoors. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that provide broad spectrum protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA rays. For broad spectrum protection, look for products that provide an SPF of at least 15 and contain ingredients like Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or zinc oxide.
* For children, Baby Banz recommends sunscreenwith an SPF 30 or higher.
* Apply sunscreenbefore going outdoors and reapply often.
* Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
* Provide complete sunscreencoverage for your skin (including neck, ears and lips!).
* For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreento the scalp as well.
* And remember - stay in the shade whenever possible!

Why reapply sunscreen when you can wear UV Rash tops?

Why bother reapplying that sticky, smelly cream or gel throughout the day when all your children need is sun protection clothing? By wearing a Baby Banz swimshirt or swim suit, your children will protect the sensitive skin on their backs and shoulders.

There are many drawbacks to wearing only sunscreen for protection from the sun. Typically, people do not apply enough sunscreen or they apply it unevenly. There have even been some studies that question the overall effectiveness of sunscreen as typically used by the average consumer. Many people may even forget to use sunscreen on their children until an hour or more after sun exposure has already begun. To add to all these difficulties with relying on sunscreen for UV protection, heat, water, wind, humidity, and perspiration may also decrease a sunscreen's effectiveness.
Studies have also shown most 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, large quantities of sunscreen must be applied to all family members before going outside.

Experts agree that sun exposure should be limited as best as possible. Children are most especially at risk of extended sun exposure as they love to run around at the pool, park or beach.

Unlike sunscreens, the protection your children will get from UV protective clothing is reliable all day long. Perfect for day camps, outings at the beach or park, or just anytime in the sun. Unlike full body sunscreens the protection is not dependent on the amount applied, temperature, humidity.

Wear our sun protective clothing and hats (we do!); all of our clothing is from top manufacturers and is rated to offer excellent sun protection. Apply a thick coat of high quality sunscreen on all exposed skin before going outside and reapply after swimming and sweating. Try to avoid the peak UV hours of between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Try a couple of shirts for the beach or swimming pool. Your family will love them and you will notice virtually no sun effect (tan or sunburn) on the covered areas!

Melanoma International Foundation Endorses Baby Banz!

Baby Banz is proud to be the first complete infant and child UV apparel and eyewear manufacturer to be endorsed by the Melanoma International Foundation. Baby Banz products have been recognized for the outstanding protection and UV damage prevention all of our products offer children ages 0-10.

Learn about MIF at their Safe From the Sun campaign, here.

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Thanks!!

Shari

We're getting a facelift!!

We are giving Baby Banz's online home a face lift!!

The new site will be live on Monday, February 18th!!

The new site will preview all of our new swim wear and swim socks that will be available in March as well as offering a new and improved online shopping experience for consumers and retail accounts alike! Please pass on the news and share our new look!!

Here's to a great Summer! Don't forget to protect those little eyes and that precious soft skin year round order now and receive 10% off through February 29th!!

Valentine's Day Savings!!