Work hard, vacation hard
By Denise K. James
Ready to relax this summer and catch a few rays away from the office fluorescents? Using sun protection shields the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. But in the past decade, the number of invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually has increased by 46.6 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. So, what’s going on?
The answer is the kind of sunscreen we choose. Several popular sunscreen brands have active ingredients that could be, well, not so active. To make things worse, these chemicals are known to rapidly absorb into the body and cause hormonal issues, or, for some people, allergic reactions. And they aren’t safe for the environment, either.
Shelly Todd, owner of J Reneé Esthetics in Kennesaw and creator of the J Renee Organics skincare line, is an advocate of healthy sun protection. Having sensitive, acne-prone skin herself, she recommends an all-natural brand called Coola, which she sells in her shop.
Unprepared at the beach or pool? Mineral-based drugstore sunscreen is OK for most people occasionally, and Todd recommends the CVS brand Clear Zinc in a pinch. She adds that an antioxidant-rich skincare regimen and diet can stave off sun damage and aging better than just sunscreen alone. “Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals caused by sun exposure, reducing inflammation and supporting collagen production,” she explains.
And even though some sunlight exposure is beneficial — Todd recommends up to 30 minutes two to four times a week in midday sun — it’s better over time to stay inside than to regularly use chemical-laden sunscreens.
“[There is] a long list of sunscreen products being investigated for benzene contamination, which damages bone marrow, lowers immune function, and increases certain types of cancer,” she says. “If you have no other choices, stay inside during high UV index.”
