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Avoid UV & Seek Shade

Avoid UV & Seek Shade Expert Rx

Are gel manicures Safe?

Going to the nail salon seems like a harmless act; however, dermatologists are concerned that the newest nail trend, gel manicures, and the UV machines used during the process may contribute to skin cancer and hand aging.

The process of a gel manicure includes placing your hands in a machine that emits UVA for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. UVA rays are proven to contribute to skin aging and skin cancer. According to a segment that aired this morning on the Today Show, most customers receive a gel manicure twice a month on average. In the short-term gel manicures prevent nails from splitting and look great. In the long run, dermatologists say regular customers may be looking at aged hands and possible skin cancers down the road unless customers take skin protection measures.

Here are a few precautions you can take before heading to the salon to protect your hands and skin as much as possible:

Coolibar UPF 50+ Fingerless Gloves block 98% of UVA and UVB rays

1. Wear UV protective gloves:  Wearing UPF 50+ fingerless gloves can protect your hands from over-exposure to UV light.  Regular cotton gloves may still allow UV to reach the skin. If you opt to make your own fingerless gloves without UV protective material, use sunscreen underneath.

2. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed fingertips: Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Have the nail artist apply sunscreen to your hands instead of lotion. Bring along a tube of sunscreen that contains either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Both ingredients provide physical UV protection that blocks UV instantly, unlike chemical sunscreens that are absorbed by the skin and can take up to 30 minutes to protect.

3. Routinely check skin for changes around and under your nail beds: Skin cancer is preventable in many cases, and when caught early, it is highly treatable. If you spot something unusual, seek advice from a dermatologist.

Watch “Nail safety: Do’s and don’ts of gel manicures”.

Shop for Coolibar Fingerless Gloves

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade What's Hot

Are tanning references in TV a problem?

Even if you didn’t watch Jersey Shore, you have likely seen images of the tanning obsessed cast in the tabloids. The recently canceled show with the motto “gym, tan, laundry,” and MTV are now under fire from the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) for promoting tanning to teens and young adults.

The SCF audited season three of Jersey Shore and found 186 references to tanning in just 17 episodes, and 48 images of tanning throughout the series’ third season. They believe the focus on tanning in the series implies that tanning is necessary for social acceptance.

This September, the SCF asked MTV to include warnings with each episode alerting viewers to the danger of tanning. MTV refused, which provoked the SCF to file a complaint with the FTC under the Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices section of the FTC Act.

The SCF is worried that pro-tanning messages will continue in spin-offs such as Snooki & JWoww, a reality television series on MTV starring Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (pictured above) and Jennifer “JWoww” Farley from Jersey Shore.

According to the SCF, just one indoor tanning session increases users’ chances of developing melanoma by 20 percent, and each additional session during the same year boosts the risk almost another two percent.

What are your thoughts? Do you think shows such as Jersey Shore push real teens to tan? Should something be done?

Resources:
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts
http://www.indystar.com/usatoday/article/1842659
http://www.examiner.com/article/skin-cancer-foundation-sues-mtv-for-promoting-tanning-on-jersey-shore

Photo resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snooki_in_Chicago_adj.jpg

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade What's Hot

Parasols Are In and Great for Your Skin

Look around and you’ll start seeing more parasols (a.k.a. umbrellas) on sunny days. That’s right, no rain, just in pure wonderful sunshine. Why? They’re not only a great addition to your outfit, but they help block the sun’s ultraviolet rays that can cause premature aging and skin cancer. What’s not to love?!

Tip: If beautiful skin is your prerogative, look for the following when choosing your perfect parasol:

Large arch. A parasol with a large arch will block more UV from the side.

Dark interior. The darker the color, the better the umbrella will absorb reflective UV rays.

Reflective or dark exterior. A reflective exterior will deflect more UV and keep you cooler. A dark material will absorb UV.

UPF 30 or higher ratings. Some parasols will provide a UPF rating. An umbrella rated UPF 50+ will block 98% or higher of direct UVA and UVB rays. Remember UV rays bounce off pavement, water, sand and other reflective surfaces. Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher, sun protective clothing and UV sunglasses will offer even greater sun protection.

Stay beautiful and on trend. Use sun protection and parasols.

View parasols on Pinterest!

Shop Coolibar UPF 50 Umbrellas and Shade.

Coolibar UPF 50+ Titanium Fashion Umbrella

 

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade Inside Coolibar New Products Parenting

Is your shade structure shading your kids enough?

As a mom of two active boys I have attended hundreds of sporting events.  For shade and sun protection I bring our portable beach umbrella or canopy.  Over the years, I have noticed that portable umbrellas and canopies only provide minimal sun protection.  Most portable umbrellas and canopies do not block UVA or UVB rays, they provide only a limited shade area (the largest of which is when the sun is directly overhead) and they do not block the UV rays that are reflected off of the ground.

When I researched reflected UV rays, I was shocked to learn that up to 1/3 of cancer causing UV rays can reach your skin while you are sitting in the shade.  One such study in New Zealand concluded that shade structures with side on walls provided the best protection from UV rays.  My frustration with portable shade structures and their inability to provide adequate shade and sun protection lead me to start my company, Solar Eclipz, and to develop the ezShade.

The patented ezShade is the only portable sun-shield that blocks over 99% UVA/UVB rays and instantly attaches to any nylon/poly umbrella or canopy.  Our company’s focus is to educate the public on the harm caused by reflected UV rays and the need for staying sun-safe and I hope that this post too will help you enjoy a sun-safe summer.

With the temperature soaring and the sun shining brighter, chances are you want to keep your little one safe from the sun. While you’d love to keep them indoors all day, you know you really can’t do that. However, what you CAN do is keep them sun safe by choosing products that provide and boost UV protection, easily and effectively.

Here are 5 must-have sun safety products for parents of preschoolers:

1. Sun Hat

Yes, every toddler needs a good sun hat. Luckily for you, Coolibar offers you some great options. Choose a sun hat that shades most of the face and keeps the sun’s rays away from sensitive skin. Also, don’t just get one sun hat. Get a couple. Preschoolers are always losing stuff or getting them dirty.

2. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not only for adults. You need to keep your preschooler’s eyes safe from the sun’s rays as well. However, don’t just go out and buy any pair of sunglasses. Look around for a brand that’s trusted and certified. Also, take the little one when you go shopping so that you can try on the pair for fit and comfort.

3. UV Protective Clothes

Sun protective clothes can be a life-saver, especially when you’re at the park or the beach. While you can get special sun protective clothes, you should also make sure that regular clothes offer adequate sun protection. Long sleeves, light colors, cotton fiber are some things to look for when choosing outdoor summer wear for the kids.

4. Sunscreen

Never, ever send your toddler out to play without slathering on the sunscreen. Choose a brand that is kid-friendly and child-appropriate. Blue Lizard and UV Natural both have SPF 30+ sunscreens available for kids. Make sure you apply the sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before they go out to play and reapply it, if they go swimming or wash their faces. Also, don’t forget the BEENS or Back of knees, Ears, Eye area, Neck, and Scalp to ensure full coverage.

5. Shade

And finally, make sure that when they play outside or spend time on the beach, they have adequate shade and sun protection. Using a portable shade such as the ezShade will not only increase the protection that an umbrella offers, it will also keep kids sun-safe without blocking out their fun.

Keeping preschoolers safe in the sun does not need a LOT of effort. Just a few must-have products can help summer be fun and safe for your on-the-go, active toddler. So, go ahead and get equipped for the most enjoyable, sun-safe season ever!

About the Author: Linda Varga is the founder of Solar Eclipz and inventor of the ezShade,  www.myezshade.com, an award-winning sun shield that instantly attaches to any umbrella/canopy, blocks over 99% UVA/UVB rays, doubles your shade, and keeps you cooler all day long.

Get your Solar Eclipz ezShade now at Coolibar.  See our full line of UPF 50+ Sun Umbrellas & Shelters.

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade SunAWARE

Australia to Ban Tanning Beds for All? Is the U.S. Next?

Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. For decades they have been taking measures to reduce the number of skin cancers by encouraging the use of sun protection through public health campaigns. Now, Australia is taking their sun safety efforts to the next level. In February, New South Whales (NSW), the most heavily populated state is Australia, declared they will prohibit the use of commercial tanning beds, regardless of age, by 2015.

This solarium ban (Australian jargon for tanning bed) will not take effect for approximately three years. Greens NSW Member of Parliament John Kaye claims this is too long to wait. He says during the time leading up to the ban, up to 43 will die from cancer related illnesses that likely could have been prevented if an immediate ban was imposed. According to NSW government, a three year wait is necessary in order to give solarium businesses time to diversify.

New South Wales, Australia

On a global scale, stricter tanning bed regulations and complete bans have been rising over the last few years. In 2009, Brazil was the first country in the world to ban tanning beds altogether after the World Health Organization declared ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds to be a class 1 carcinogen. Asbestos and cigarettes are in the same category. In 2011, California announced a ban of tanning beds use for those under 18 years of age. This law is similar to France, England and Wales, all countries taking action on the topic of concern.

NSW seems to be helping push the anti-tanning movement forward. After their announcement, other Australian states have also begun talking about banning solariums in addition to New Zealand, which also has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Parts of Canada and U.S. states are also currently considering stricter regulations for tanning beds.

What are your thoughts about tanning bed bans?

References:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/6443322/Push-to-copy-Aussies-and-ban-tanning-beds

http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sun-sets-on-banned-solariums/

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/02/nsw-to-ban-solariums-equivalent-to-asbestos/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-04/nsw-bans-solariums/3811454

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/blogs/beauty-beat/models-banned-from-tanning-20120301-1u4ff.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/australia-ban-tanning-beds-continent-world-highest-rate-deadly-skin-cancer-article-1.1029168

http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/few_ban_tanning_beds.shtml

http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/news/i/government-announces-ban-on-tanning-units-in-nsw

http://www.darksideoftanning.com.au/myths/myths_one.aspx

http://johnkaye.org.au/sunbed-ban-delay-will-cost-up-to-43-lives

http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Banning-Teenagers-from-Tanning-Beds.html

Photo credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatshername/2369269277/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tigris-Australia_location_New_South_Wales.svg

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade Success Stories Wellness Warriors

Doc Learns the Hard Way to Avoid Tanning

Some stories are so powerful they need to be retold.  This blog was written by Dr. Jessica Sparks Lilley, a pediatrician who learned the hard way that the risks of getting melanoma from using a tanning bed are real! Please do not use tanning beds.  Please do not allow your children to use tanning beds.  Help pass legislation to ban the use of tanning beds by minors.

“As a pediatrician, I have dedicated much of my life to improving the health of children—thirteen years of formal training after high school, to be exact.  I’ve worked thirty hour shifts every other day, delayed my dream of having children of my own, and moved across the country for the best learning opportunities.  Amid this grueling schedule, during my second year of residency I noticed in a bleary-eyed post-call shower that a mole on my chest had changed a little.  I recounted the “ABCDs” of skin cancer—asymmetry, borders, color, diameter—and my mole was only a little larger than a pencil eraser with more heterogeneity than I remembered (meaning that it was a mix of brown and black rather than just all brown).  When I finally made an appointment with my internist (again, post-call—can’t be choosy when you work eighty hours a week), he brushed my concerns aside and refused to even look at it, instead writing out a referral to dermatology.  Six months later, the opportunity to see a dermatologist finally arose, and I found myself standing in the specialist’s office that February morning to find that the referral had never made it.  My medical training had kicked in and caused a bad feeling in my gut about the mole, so I called my internist’s office from the waiting room and even cried on the phone to get them to help me.  After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, the referral was processed and the physician’s assistant worked me into her schedule—the suspicious mole was off to pathology within fifteen minutes, and I received the call two days later that I was right to be worried—that mole represented an early-stage melanoma.

I was in my parents’ living room when I got the call.  I had traveled from Philadelphia to Mississippi for vacation.  I will never forget the way my mother cried when she overheard me asking questions about whether sentinel node mapping would need to be part of the diagnostic work-up.  I only required a wider excision, which was done that very week and (praise God!) showed no signs of metastasis.  As I sat in doctors’ waiting rooms and even as I was walking back to the operating room, I mulled over the same regrets—why did I ever step foot into a tanning salon?

The first time I went to a tanning bed, I was fifteen years old and trying to get a little “color” to look good in a dress I found to wear in a beauty pageant.  I bought eight visits, heard nothing of the risks (which were largely unknown at the time), never burned, and actually thought it was fun to have the fifteen minutes of quiet rest.  I had to beg my parents to let me go, and the owner of the tanning salon was quick to tell my mother that indoor tanning was much safer than tanning outside.  The strongest argument against the behavior in high school I heard was a bad urban legend about a girl who “fried her ovaries” by tanning.  You’d think that I would have been hesitant to step inside a device that looked like a coffin, had a dial like an oven, and was cleaned with only a dilute cleaning solution by other tanners.  Alas, I went about ten times a year after that for various reasons—prom, pageants, and even my wedding—despite being able to draw a picture of the pyrimadine dimers I was forming in my DNA as a result of UV radiation!  Strangely, I wore sunscreen and rarely went outside, especially as my training intensified.  The first time I thought seriously about never going back was after my first pathology lecture dealing with melanoma and the strong emphasis on UV radiation as a cause of skin cancer; I considered it again when a friend was caring for a patient with metastatic melanoma during our third year of medical school and lovingly warned me that I was putting my health in danger; but because I started tanning at a young age, the behavior seemed safe to me.  I rationalized tanning in every way imaginable.  After I graduated medical school, I vowed to never return lest I set a bad example as a physician.  My last tanning visit was April 24, 2007, about a week before my wedding…and two years before the cancer diagnosis that changed my life.

I am continuing to devote my life to the health of children now as an advocate to ban tanning in minors, just as we regulate other known carcinogens like tobacco.  We know that younger DNA is more vulnerable to dangerous mutations and that teens don’t yet have the cognitive skills to judge long-term ramifications of their actions.  We also understand now that any indoor tanning before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75%!  I am appalled that I have friends who continue to go, reasoning that tanning “isn’t that bad” and is their “only vice” and “something they do for themselves.”  I’m infuriated that some idiot doctors perpetuate the myth that sun exposure is healthy and the lie that tanning beds are a good source of vitamin D.  That’s absolute hogwash.  I’m a fellow in pediatric endocrinology and know that much better sources of vitamin D are available without the side effect of deadly cancer!

I shudder to think of what would have happened to me if I hadn’t detected my melanoma early.  Late-stage melanoma is almost always fatal.  Treatments like interferon have horrible side effects and don’t save everyone.  I no longer feel safe in my own skin and feel that the quality of my life has been impacted by the fear that my cancer will recur.  The fact that melanoma is the most common form of cancer death in my demographic (25-29 year old women) is astounding, and it is unfortunately on the rise in association with more young women with a history of indoor tanning.  It’s humiliating to recount my story—I should have known better—but I hope to teach everyone who will listen three important take-home points:

1. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever indoor (or outdoor) tan!  A tan is evidence of skin damage and potential DNA mutation that can lead to cancer.  There is no such thing as a safe tan!

2. If you are worried about something with your health, there may be a reason.  Talk to your physician, and if he or she doesn’t listen, find someone who will.

3. Finally, take time to take care of your health.  We have all made an idol/status symbol out of “busyness” to the detriment of our well-being.  If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will.

As part of my crusade, at least one later stage melanoma has been diagnosed and countless friends and acquaintances have stopped tanning.  I will keep telling my story to anyone who will listen to defeat this often preventable cancer.”

Jessica Sparks Lilley, MD

A post shared by our friends at SunAWARE.

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade Parenting SunAWARE

Should Teens Tan? California Says No.

Should teens be able to decide whether or not to use tanning beds? According to Aim at Melanoma Foundation, using a tanning bed before the age of 20 doubles a person’s risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Even more staggering is that 28 million individuals in the U.S. use tanning beds each year despite the statistics, which includes 2.3 million teens.

On Sunday, October 9, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill making California the first state to prohibit minors from using tanning beds. The only exception is if a minor obtains written consent from a medical professional that they’re tanning due to a medical condition. This law will go into effect on January 1, 2012. Multiple health organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) are praising the governor for taking action.

In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, placed tanning beds in its Class 1 carcinogen category.  Cigarettes, plutonium and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are in the same category. Just like the law protects minors from the negative health effects of cigarettes, this new law in California is a way to protect teens from the negative health effects of using tanning beds. Dermatologist Ann F. Haas, MD, FAAD, past president of the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery says, “Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the last 30 years, with the most rapid increases occurring among young, white women, 3 percent per year since 1992 in those ages 15 to 39. We pushed for this legislation in the hopes of stemming that rise and encouraging other states to follow California’s lead and prohibit the use of tanning devices by minors to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in the U.S.”

Prior to the ban, the state allowed those between 14 and 17 years of age to use tanning beds with parental consent. Thirty-one other states have similar laws restricting minors from using tanning beds without parental consent. The remaining 18 states have no restrictions. This is frightening not only because teens who tan put their health at risk, but also because adolescents choosing to tan are still developing their decision making skills and may make bad or uneducated decisions that will affect their quality of life down the road.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), “based on the stage of their brain development, adolescents are more likely to: act on impulse or engage in dangerous or risky behavior. Adolescents are also less likely to: think before they act, pause to consider the potential consequences of their actions and modify their dangerous or inappropriate behaviors.”

“These brain differences don’t mean that young people can’t make good decisions or tell the difference between right and wrong”, states an article on the AACAP website.  “It also doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions. But an awareness of these differences can help parents, teachers, advocates, and policy makers understand, anticipate, and manage the behavior of adolescents.”

On top of the cognitive development argument, there is a lack of awareness on the dangers of tanning. “Many parents may not be aware that melanoma is the most common skin cancer in children, followed by basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas,” Dr. Thomas Rohrer, Secretary of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Many tanning salons tout that tanning beds are safer than outdoor tanning as they use UVA rays or that it’s good to get a base tan before vacationing in warm regions.  These claims are false. UVA rays (aging rays) are not safer than UVB rays (burning) rays and numerous studies have proven this. Additionally, getting a base tan before a sunny vacation is equivalent to the sun protection of a SPF 3 or less, and the AAD suggests using SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun protective clothing for adequate sun protection.

Based on this information, would you be comfortable having your teen use a tanning bed? For every parent residing outside of the state of California, that’s for you, or your teen, to decide.

Michigan news broadcast with dermatologist insights on tanning beds.

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade SunAWARE Videos

Brain Studies Show Tanning Could Be Addictive

Human Brain

Have you ever wondered why your loved one can’t get enough of the tanning bed?  They are, after all, very health conscious, they don’t smoke, they exercise and eat an organic diet.  Why then would they continue to use tanning beds knowing the potential risks?  Science can shed some new light on the subject.

According to a recent study, tanning beds may have people “hooked” for more than cosmetic reasons.  With risks such as premature aging, skin cancer or even death associated with tanning beds, the scientific community has long thought that tanning could possibly be addictive. Now, new research provides evidence to back-up this theory.

Dr. Bryon Adinoff, professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas South Medical Center and leader of the tanning addiction study featured in journal Addiction Biology, says the brain is responding to UV light. It’s triggering the areas that are linked with reward. The same areas that activate when someone takes a drag off a cigarette or eats a sweet treat.

To reach this conclusion, Dr. Adinoff and his team assembled a group of frequent tanning bed users and monitored their brain activity during tanning bed use. The users were split into two groups: group one used beds with real UV rays; and group two, without being told, used tanning beds with fake UV light. The results were clear. The subjects in the real UV tanning beds showed brain activity in the reward and addiction areas.

So now, just like in the 80’s, we can repeat the slogan “Just Say No.”

Just Say No – To Tanning!

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade SunAWARE

This Spring Break, Take a Break from Tanning

Spring Break Panama City Beach, FL

Each year high school and college students around the U.S. take off for sunny destinations around the world to celebrate Spring Break. While these vacations can be a necessary escape from the stress of school, they also spur an increase of unnecessary tanning bed use among teens and young adults trying to obtain a ‘base’ tan prior to their departure.

There are numerous myths created by the tanning industry regarding the supposed benefits of tanning. Last year, the American Academy of Dermatology released results from a survey they conducted to determine if people can separate sun protection facts from myths. One question in the survey asked respondents if it was a fact or myth that getting a base tan is a healthy way to protect skin from sun damage. Only 48 percent of respondents knew the statement was false.  A base tan offers the equivalent of an SPF 4 or less, so very little to no protection. The fact is that a tan is a sign of damage to the skin from UV radiation. Every time a person tans, the skin becomes damaged and this damage accumulates over time, which accelerates the skin aging process and increases a person’s risk for skin cancer.

The damage caused by the UV radiation emitted by the sun and tanning beds is often irreversible. Premature skin aging caused by UV exposure includes fine wrinkles, deep grooves, blotchiness, sagging and a leathery texture in the skin. Some of these changes may appear as early as the age of 20 in anyone who has spent a great deal of time exposing their skin to UV radiation during childhood and teen years.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization, has undeniably linked tanning bed use among young people to skin cancer including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. They found the link between youthful tanning bed use and melanoma was “prominent and consistent”— a 75 percent increase in risk of melanoma among those who first used tanning beds in their twenties or teen years. The study also found no positive health effects of using a tanning booth, contradicting what tanning salons have used as a selling point.

So, would you like some alternatives to getting a base tan for sun protection during your Spring Break? If you still desire a tan look, get a spray tan or use a self-tanning lotion or spray. But remember that using these methods to create a tan look does not mean you’re immune from sun damage. You should still apply a SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen for UV protection. Otherwise, wear sun protective clothing if you don’t want to worry about reapplying sunscreen frequently. 

Our recommended sun protection beach packing list:

– Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to cover exposed skin

Lip balm with SPF

– Wide brim hat (at least three-inches) to protect the head and neck

– UV-blocking sunglasses to protect the eyes

Swim cover up for extra coverage when desired

Beach umbrella to help you seek the shade

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Avoid UV & Seek Shade SunAWARE Videos

Natural Skin Tones are Totally on Trend

Editorial

Each year we observe President’s Day on the third Monday in February. For some reason, this particular President’s Day got me thinking about the days of old (or the days when George Washington was President) when pale skin was in. In fact, women before the 1920s used to use skin whitening methods to keep as much of a milky white tone as possible. This symbolized a high social status as outdoor workers, who were considered lower class, carried a tan appearance.  So why did this change over the years, and where are we now?

It’s argued that Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (pictured above), a revolutionary French fashion designer of the 20th century, started the tanning trend by mistake. While visiting the French Riviera in the 1920s, she accidentally got sunburn. In doing so, bronzed skin became a symbol of glamour rather than peasantry as her large following instantly adopted this look. By the end of the decade, the poor had left the fields for factories, and, helped along by Chanel, the trend for tan skin began.

Between Chanel, the industrial revolution, women’s magazine advertisements encouraging tanning in the 1940’s, the premiere of the bikini in 1946, the introduction of tanning beds in the late 70’s early 80’s, tan skin became, what seemed, acceptable, fashionable and easily obtainable. Years later, we know better.

This trend of the past century has left us with skyrocketing skin cancer rates and many with prematurely aging skin.  Currently, more people seem to be wising-up, protecting their skin, and “going with their own glow”.

For the past few years now, we’ve been seeing more natural toned celebrities on the red carpet, and pale, yet glowing, models on the runway. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, teen idols from the popular Twilight movies, have set a new trend for the younger crowd. Both sport a pale complexion yet glow with natural beauty.  Jane Larkworthy, recent Beauty Director of W magazine even claims tanning is just not in fashion anymore. “I can’t remember the last time I saw a tanned model in my magazine or on the runway.”

If you were once a part of the tan fad that is now out, you may not be able to reverse the damage that has been done. But the good news is that you can take action now. Start protecting your skin from the sun and get back your natural glow.

So how do you keep that natural skin tone glowing? 

First, avoid unprotected UV exposure as much as possible. Second, wear sun protective clothing, including a hat with a three-inch brim or greater, along with UV sunglasses. Then apply a generous amount of sunscreen, with SPF 30 or higher, 20 minutes before heading outdoors. Try a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Soleo Organics, SolBar, or Vanicream. Do this, and your skin will be naturally glowing in no time!

“Tanning is Out of Style” Video by the Skin Cancer Foundation

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