Can Carrying an Umbrella Protect Your Skin?
Can you Believe we are headed towards the Summer of 2018? As we all sigh a collective groan, I want to talk to you a little about sun protection....in an unconventional way of thinking.
Umbrellas and Sun Protection When it comes to sun protection, you probably know from hearing Sarah and I harp on it that wearing sun-block is a must no matter WHERE you live. But if you've ever traveled during the summer or been in the Southwest you might see people of all ages carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. I especially notice what I used to consider the "old school" ladies who are either a little more darker complected, or those who don't want their skin to become darker. Shoot, I have even noticed men doing it!! I also offer an umbrella escort to my clients to their cars post treatment!!!
Call it strange, sophisticated or odd!! But does carrying an umbrella really protect your skin from the sun?
Scarlett Had it Right!
In the 1939 Oscar Winning Movie, "Gone with the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara was outfitted with a large brimmed hat and Parasol as the women of the late 1860's were labeled as "Shady Ladies" if their skin exhibited freckling or anything other then peachy-cream, unblemished skin. To Shield their skin from the hot Savannah, Georgia sun, women of the day also took naps between noon and 4 pm to keep them out of the sun so they would retain their freckle-free beauty. It seems the ladies of the Day got it RIGHT! And they didnt start doing this in their 20's or 30's. Children also carried parasols. Indeed Scarlett....a study by dermatologists at Emory University in Atlanta found that standard rain umbrellas can block at least 77 percent of UV light. Black ones did the job especially well, blocking about 90 percent of UV rays. But overall, sun umbrellas (those marketed specifically to block UV rays) offered the most protection, blocking more than 99 percent of UV rays. Still, you shouldn't rely on an umbrella to provide all of the protection you need. The shade from a umbrella or the slightly smaller parasol doesn't cover all of your body, it's still important to take other sun-protective measures like wearing a wide brimmed hat and zinc/titanium dioxide sun-block. We encourage our clients to choose a sun-screen with at least SPF 30, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, the short waves that are responsible for most sunburns. And make sure the bottle is labeled as "broad spectrum", so you know that it protects you against both UVB and UVA rays. You also want to avoid the "Benzones" which are known to absorb UVA/UVB and disrupt Hormonal Function in the Human Body.
Introducing EltaMD
In addition to using an Umbrella...we are suggesting the use of a Broad Spectrum SPF. This is where I am proud to announce the addition of "EltaMD" to the Skin Coach fold. EltaMD sunscreens help prevent sunburn & decrease the risk of skin cancer as well as the early signs of skin aging caused by the sun. EltaMD sunscreens are formulated with transparent zinc oxide, are non-comedogenic, sensitivity-free, fragrance-free & paraben-free. All EltaMD sunscreens are recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as effective broad-spectrum sunscreens.
By popular demand, we will offer the traditional white gels type sunscreen and a tinted sunscreen to our clients. We have begun to take pre-orders of ELtaMD for those interested and will have those delivered to our clients within the first two-weeks of May! In the end,
A small investment in a parasol or sunscreen will save you a lifetime of skin cancer screenings which may result in costly and sometimes disfiguring cancer treatments. We will be adding black umbrellas to our retail offerings as well this month. The cost of each umbrella will be $8.00.....get one today and keep them in your car!
Because Frankly, Scarlett....we really DO give a damn about your skin! ^j^
