Tanorexia Part One: A Little Protection

By Anne Marie Scanlon

It's approximately a year since my last lecture on the dangers of sun worship. In that year one million skin cancers have been diagnosed. Yes, one million - skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In the past year approximately 250,000 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer have been diagnosed and 2,500 people have died from it. In the coming year experts expect to diagnose almost 60,000 melanomas with approximately 8,000 resulting in death.

One fifth of Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime and the odds narrow if you're Caucasian - then it's one third. And what is it that causes skin cancer? 90% of all skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. I've said it before and no doubt I'll say it again (and again) Celts were not designed for the sun. Skin type is one of the main factors at work in evaluating your risk for skin cancer. There are six skin phototypes ranging from light to dark:

Type I - very fair, easily burned and does not tan. Hair color is red or blond with eyes of blue or green.
Type II - fair, burns easily but gets a minimal tan. Hair is blond, red or brown. Eyes are blue, hazel or brown.
Type III - slightly darker than Types I & II, can burn but will tan.
Type IV - Darker than all of the above, tans rapidly and does not burn.
Type V - Brown.
Type VI - Black.

Type I & II - your basic Celts, are at the highest risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. Types V & VI have the lowest risk, but, and be very clear about this, are still at risk. Basically no skin is naturally safe from the burning rays of the sun.

So, this is definitely a case of prevention being better than cure. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following to avoid sun exposure.

1. Stay in the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
2. Do not burn.
3. Avoid tanning tables and booths.
4. Apply sunscreen to your entire body half an hour before going outside and REAPPLY every two hours.
5. Cover up with clothing - long sleeves, a broad brimmed hat, long trousers. Do remember that clothing alone may not be enough to protect you. If you can see light through a fabric then UV rays can get through too.
6. Wear UV-Blocking sunglasses, the larger the better which is good news for fashionistas. Beware the fashionable cheap shades - they may not provide that essential UV protection.
7. Keep newborn babies out of the sun and put sunscreen on children over six months.
8. Do a self examination every month. (I suggest you see a dermatologist and get them to show you how to do this.)
9. Get a professional skin examination annually.
10. Keep 1-9 in mind THROUGHOUT the year not just for a couple of months during the summer.

Don't forget the less obvious areas - lips, ears, neck, hands and feet (and indeed the soles of your feet if you are lying on your front). If you are bald or have thinning hair then wear a hat. And if your future health isn't enough to spur you into action then try to remember that exposure to the sun is extremely AGING. Want premature wrinkles? Then get on out there and get your bare unprotected skin scorched, that will work a treat.

If you'd prefer not to end your days looking like an aged leather handbag wearing lipstick then if you're Irish come into the parlor or anywhere else in the shade and be quick about it. If you have fair hair and freckles you need a high protection factor like Clinique UV-Response Body Cream SPF 50 ($15.50) and UV-Response Face Cream SPF 50 ($15.50). Both these products are lightweight, oil-free creams which also contain moisturizing ingredients. More importantly they are non-greasy, water resistant, suitable for all skin types and provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Ingredients include Avobenzone™ a chemical sunscreen that provides one of the broadest forms of sun protection from UVA rays which damage collagen and elastin as well as a variety of humectants and moisturizers to help keep skin supple and smooth but not greasy.

If you fancy one product for both your face and body try Aveda Daily Light Guard ($16.50) which has an SPF 15 which is non-greasy, suitable for all skin types and helps moisturize as it protects. The aptly named Relish (essential condiments for the skin) has a collection of protective products that are used by the likes of Cindy Crawford, Kate Hudson and Jessica Simpson. Relish Advanced Daily Protection SPF 30 ($23) is a light, non-greasy lotion which goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly. Like Aveda Daily Light Guard this product can be used on both the face and the body. It is especially good for people who use Retin A, Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Micro-Dermabrasion and is light enough for those with oily skin. Best of all make up can be applied immediately after use. Relish Daily Protection SPF 15 ($19) contains a cocktail of antioxidants A, C and E as well as Japanese Green Tea Extract and Aloe Gel for its soothing properties.

Relish Lip and Face Protector Stick SPF 15 ($12.50) not only helps protect your skin against the sun's damaging rays but helps prevent chapping, dryness, peeling and lip lines. (It's also good at helping protect the delicate lips from both A/C and central heating). Apparently hotel heiress Paris Hilton is a fan. There's no doubt that lips do need extra protection in the heat. Jo Malone London has a fantastic product that does just that. Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Conditioner SPF 15 ($90) combines vitamin E with a protective sunscreen so that not only are lips protected but they're simultaneously being softened, smoothed and moisturized.

Dermalogica have introduced a Solar Defense System which includes Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20 ($45) an extremely lightweight lotion which protects against UVA & UVB rays. It also helps absorb excess oil from the skins surface. It absorbs quickly and leaves no trace so you can apply your make up as you normally would. If you are prone to blemishes and breakouts then this is definitely a protective product you should look at. It absorbs really quickly as well. If you have sensitive skin then Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF 30 ($45) may be what you're looking for. This product is free of chemical sunscreens and specifically designed for anyone whose skin gets irritated by regular sunscreens. The formula contains lavender, green tea and liquorices to sooth possible irritation while botanical extracts help guard against premature aging which is always good news. There's also an Ultra Sensitive Face Block SPF 25 ($26) which is chemical-free, lightly tinted and non-irritating.

For breakout prone skin look no further than Proactiv Solution Daily Protection Plus Sunscreen SPF 15 ($19.99). Being from Proactiv Solutions you may have guessed it has been designed with acne sufferers in mind. In fact not only is it oil-free (as you would expect) but the product helps absorb excess oil produced by the skin. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who has acne or severe skin problems.

If you're the outdoorsy type, or indeed if you just like taking regular dips in the pool that you laze by then Waterblock Solar Spray SPF 30 ($38) is the kind of sunscreen that you need. This product is, as the name implies, extremely water resistant - up to one hour and twenty minutes. It sprays on, absorbs quickly and is alcohol free. Or you may want to check out California Tan®, a luxurious range designed with active tanners in mind and will help prevent sunburn even if you're in and out of the water or exerting yourself with physical activity, as they're sweat proof and water resistant. They're also rich in moisturizers and have anti-aging properties. California Tan® SPF 15 ($18), while SPF 20 & SPF 30 both cost $20 each.

No matter what your protection needs you're bound to find the appropriate product amid the new Age-Defying Sun Care for Body line from Clarins which combines effective sun-protection with Phyto Sunactyl 2 a plant-based complex that helps counteract premature aging. The line also contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. Clarins Age-Defying Sun Care products start with an SPF 4 Spray ($28), an SPF 8 Gel ($28), a Cream-Gel SPF 10 ($34), Spray with SPF 15 and SPF 20 (both $28), a soothing SPF 20 Cream ($34), an SPF 30 Cream for children ($28) and another SPF 30 Cream for Sun Sensitive Skin ($28). The latter cream which would be best for those of the Celtic persuasion smoothes on easily and is lightweight and water resistant.

Even with the best of intentions, there are times when you catch a few too many rays. When that happens Dermalogica After Sun Repair ($30) helps to sooth discomfort, reduce redness and repair DNA damage.

Now even if you heed my warnings and stay clear of the beach you'll still need to wear a facial sunblock on a daily basis. Ideally, as I said earlier, you should wear one year round, like the people at the St. Vincent de Paul used to say - every little helps and it's the same with sun exposure. A few minutes here, a few there and it all adds up. So even if you're stuck in an office all day and you just pop out for a walk around the block or to queue at the coffee cart it still counts as exposure to UV rays. Clinique recently introduced New City Block Sheer SPF 25 ($16.50) which is both lightweight and oil-free. New City Block Sheer is 100% non-chemical and is made with special wicking fibers which help repel perspiration and reduce excess oil on the skins surface both of which ensure that your make up stays where you put it.

Next Week: Tanorexia Part 2 - A Good Scrub