Effective Sunscreens Now Contain Powerful Antioxidants

A group of chemists have discovered that adding a mixture of antioxidants to sunscreen enhances its protection from UV radiation. In animal studies, they found that a mixture of various topical antioxidants was more effective than any single antioxidant. They're the same things we've been told we should ingest regularly, in order to prevent the free radicals inside our bodies from causing cancer: black and green tea, grape seeds, and other colorful fruits and vegetables. These all helped prevent sunburn when applied to the skin.

Direct sun exposure is the #1 cause of skin cancer and pre-cancers…something which is so preventable.  Due to increased solar activity and thinning of the ozone layer, skin cancer in general is on the rise and the deadly skin cancer melanoma is being seen more frequently in children. A great sunscreen with an SPF of 30 can help.

Sunscreens also protect against wrinkles, dark spots and a more aged look.  In time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. Lines, freckles, yellow discoloration, mottled brown pigmentation, and redness also begin to appear.

Follow these simple tips to avoid and delay those expensive laser treatments, face lifts, and skin cancer treatments down the line:

·         Use a sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor of 30 or more. SPF greater than 50 only is about 1% more effective and is a marketing device.

·         Start good skin cancer prevention habits in your child… 80 percent of sun exposure and skin damage occurs before we are 18!

·         Apply sunscreen ½ hour before going out and reapply every 2-3 hours if outside. After that the sunscreen breaks down in the sun.

·         Make sunscreen a part of your daily morning routing, even if you are just driving to work or the sky is overcast.  You will still absorb plenty of UV light.

·         A sunblock will rate an SPF of 12 or higher and contains a physical sunblock that physically blocks, reflects, or absorbs sunlight so it can’t reach your skin. True physical sunblocks contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

·         Don’t forget the sunglasses, UV protected contact lenses and hats with a wide brim. 

·         There are now many companies which offer clothing with superior sun protection and are available at stores like REI. Get clothing with a UPF or ultraviolet protection factor of 50 or greater. In general, the more tight-weaved and darker the clothing, the better. Plain white tees and white linens only have a UPF of 8 or 9!

·         Another simple option is to turn your favorite washable clothing into sun protective wear by adding a packet of Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant in with the laundry detergent.

Now go out and have fun in the sun the safe way!

Homemade Spa Recipes

Check out my own JJMD Skin Care Line at jjmdskincare.com


Chocolate Facial Mask

This decadent mask is actually an excellent moisturizer -- it leaves your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.

1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tsp. cottage cheese
¼ cup honey
3 tsp. oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face.
Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Avocado Oily Skin Masque
Put the white of an egg, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and the mashed pulp of a half avocado into a blender.
Wash your face and neck thoroughly, then apply masque evenly on those areas.
Relax for 20 minutes; remove with tepid water and a face cloth. Follow with cold astringent or skin tonic.

Avocado Dry Skin Masque

Cleanse your face thoroughly before using this masque (or any masque).
Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy, and then add the mashed pulp of a half avocado, blending it well.
Spread the avocado mixture over the face and neck evenly; relax on a slant board or bed for about 20 minutes.
Remove with clear tepid water and a face cloth, followed by a rinse of cold water or a mild skin lotion.
The result should be a marked improvement in skin texture, and all-around revitalizing.


Exfoliating Papaya Pumpkin Facial Mask
A Balinese fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask which will leave your face fresh and glowing.

2/3 cup fresh papaya, mashed
15 oz. can pure pumpkin
1 egg, beaten

1. Prepare the mask. Cut the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the papaya fruit and mash it well to eliminate lumps in the mask. Beat the egg until it is frothy. Combine that with the papaya. Add the pumpkin to the egg/papaya mixture and whip together. You can also mix the ingredients in the blender or a food processor.

2. Prepare your face. Wash with your daily cleanser and remove all residual makeup on your skin. Rinse with warm water. It's very important to have clean skin to ensure you get maximum benefits from the facial.

3. Apply the Mask. Cover your entire face, being careful to avoid the immediate eye area. If you have sensitive skin, test the mixture on your hand before spreading it on your face. You'll feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately -- gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes.

4. Rinse off Mask. After you've relaxed for ten minutes it's time to rinse. The mask is fairly thick -- head for the kitchen sink.

5. Apply Toner & Moisturizer.

COFFEE BODY SCRUB

2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
2-3 T massage oil

Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion. 

Grapefruit Sugar ScruB

1-1/2 cups white table sugar
8 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 drops red food coloring (optional)
1/4 cup jojoba oil
1/4 cup liquid castile soap

Place sugar into a large bowl and stir to break up any clumps. Add the essential oil.  Add one or two drops of red food coloring if you'd like it pink! Mix very well to make sure the color is evenly dispersed. Add the jojoba oil and Castile soap next, a little at a time, stirring after each addition.    Mix well and the pour into clean container.  To use, stand in the tub or shower and massage the sugar scrub onto your skin from head to toe. Rinse.  Inhale. Smile.

Glycerin and Honey Sugar or Salt Scrub

1 cup fine loose salt or loose sugar
3 teaspoons liquid glycerin
1 teaspoon pure honey
3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil
Optional: Pinch of lavender blossoms (available in the bulk department of good health food stores), or chamomile, or dried herbs of your choice, chopped exceedingly fine.

Mix ingredients well and store in an airtight container.  Add more liquid ingredients if you prefer a thinner end-product. Stir thoroughly before use.  This keeps very well, and in fact, the honey acts as preservative. Use small amounts when scrubbing the nose, being careful not to irritate or get it in the eyes.  Scrub elbows, hands, knees, and feet. Rinse in warm water, pat dry, and apply your favorite lotion afterward.

Fruit Salad Body Mask

This may sound as if you're pouring a smoothie for the skin -- and you are  -- but for good reason. Pineapple contains bromeliad, a protein-digestive enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt. It also counteracts histamines, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a mild astringent.  Grapes are rich in PCOs which provide protection against harmful UV rays, and, are anti-oxidants. Bananas have loads of vitamins, calcium and essential nutrients which keep the skin smooth and soft.   Kiwi is high in vitamin C and has enzymatic properties.  Honeydew is both soothing and hydrating.

2 slices pineapple - rind removed
1/2 med. honeydew melon - rind removed
1 doz. green grapes
1 med. banana - peeled
1 med. kiwi fruit – peeled

Puree all ingredients in food processor. Mixture will be slightly lumpy. Refrigerate for 1 hour.  Smooth onto body and/or face, leaving on for half an hour.  This is an ideal treatment to use poolside, where lounging is assuring. Rinse off with tepid water, or an outdoor shower.

All recipes courtesy of www.SpaIndex.com

HAVE FUN IN THE SUN SAFELY

                                         by Jeanette Jacknin M.D., board-certified dermatologist

                                         www.drjacknin.com

Now that gorgeous Spring/Summer weather is here we all outside enjoying it. But our love affair isn't a two way street: Unprotected exposure to the sun, even if we are just driving in the car or near windows inside, causes most of the wrinkles and skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. In time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. Lines, freckles, yellow discoloration, mottled brown pigmentation, and redness also begin to appear.

Direct sun exposure is the #1 cause of skin cancer and pre-cancers…something which is so so preventable. So let's all do something about that!

 Follow these simple tips to to avoid and delay those expensive laser treatments, face lifts, and skin cancer treatments down the line:

·         Slather on the sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 30 minutes before sun exposure and then every few hours thereafter

·         Make sunscreen a part of your daily morning routing, even if you are just driving to work or the sky is overcast.  You will still absorb plenty of UV light.

·         Shop for cosmetic products, contact lenses and sunglasses that offer UV protection

·         "Chanel" Nicole Kidman and wear 4-5" wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and pants.

·         There are now many companies which offer clothing with superior sun protection with SPF ratings. Another simple option is to turn your favorite washable clothing into sun protective wear by adding a packet of Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant in with the laundry detergent.

·         The shade rules! Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

·         Perform skin self-exams regularly to become familiar with existing growths and to notice any changes or new growths

·         Start good skin cancer prevention habits in your child… 80 percent of sun exposure and skin damage occurs before we are 18!

·         Of course, always avoid tanning beds.

Now for some sunscreen label basics: Sunlight contains the visible light that we can see and ultraviolet (UV) light that we cannot. There are two types of UV light, UVA and UVB. UVA light is responsible for tanning and UVB for sunburn. Both can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Currently, SPF ratings on sunscreens  refer only to UVB protection, not UVA protection. The higher the number up to an SPF of 30, the better the overall sun protection. A rating of 15 is the minimum baseline recommended by dermatologists to protect the skin from UVB rays.

A sunblock will rate an SPF of 12 or higher and contains a physical sunblock that physically blocks, reflects, or absorbs sunlight so it can’t reach your skin. True physical sunblocks contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

 In the future, sunscreens may get a new rating system and a warning, thanks to a new FDA proposal  that will set standards for labeling over-the-counter sunscreens for both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.

The proposal includes a four-star rating system for sunscreen protection against UVA light. One star would represent low UVA protection; two stars: medium protection; three stars:high protection; and four stars: the highest UVA protection available in an over-the-counter sunscreen.

Don't forget these important tips about sunscreens:

• Shake well before using.
• Look for a waterproof brand.
• Always read the labels and select one that doesn't have PABA or any ingredient you are sensitive to.
• Use on all parts of your body exposed to the sun…don't forget the top of your ears and those thinning scalps ( I know…not you!) and don't skimp on coverage.
• Look for the expiration date, because some ingredients may loose their strength with time.
• A continuous spray sunscreen is good to get even impossible-to-reach places. 
• Sticks formulas are great for swiping across the tops of your hands when driving.

So go out and have fun golfing, playing tennis, and enjoying the beautiful Spring/Summer weather, but just use sun sense, safety and protection while you do it.

Dr. Jacknin is a board-certified dermatologist, author of the book "Smart Medicine for Your Skin" and founder of J.J.M.D. Skin Care. Find out more about her, skin care treatments, and advanced anti-aging skin care products at www.DrJacknin.com.

Check out my own JJMD Skin Care Line at jjmdskincare.com