Six-billion-year-old star: Part Three.

Did you miss the first two posts.

Post number one was about me.

Post number two was about Ultraviolet radiation.

This post, post number three, is about sunscreen.
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Ever wonder what SPF really means?

Let's talk about it.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin.

There are many SPFs to choose from.

What is best for you?

I'll let you decide once I tell you what I learned about SPF.

Let's say it takes you 30 minutes to start getting red out in the sun. If using an SPF 15, it will take you 15 times longer to get red. Meaning it will take you about 7.5 hours.

I like this explanation too. I found it on the Skin Cancer Foundation website.

"SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 99 percent."

Since SPF only blocks UVB rays, what should we do about the UVA rays? Remember, UVA rays penetrate through TWO layers of skin versus UVB which only penetrates the top layer.

Well, there is something called a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

This type of sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays.

I use Ocean Potion Anti-Aging Broad Spectrum sunblock lotion with a SPF 30. It smells absolutely delicious. I love it. It is reasonably priced especially compared to some of the other broad-spectrum suncreens.

I also use Ocean Potion Face Potion for my face. It is made with zinc oxide which is also a broad-spectrum sunscreen by itself.

It is a complete sun blocking system. AND NO, it DOESN'T leave white all over your face. If rubs in and you can't tell you have anything on your face! Ha!

Zinc oxide does not irritate the skin either. The diaper rash creams you use, are mostly made up of zinc oxide! That in itself is proof that it does not irritate the skin.

How about your baby? How do you protect them?

Babies under 6 months of age should get very little sun exposure.

When exposed, babies should be properly shielded from the sun.

The AAP issued a new recommendation a few years ago which stated that "when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands."

Remember though these two very important reasons for not overusing sunscreen in young babies:

1. Infants a high body surface to volume ratio. What this means is that proportionately babies have more skin for the size body as compared to an adult. Obviously, sunscreens are made of chemicals. On the older child and adult, the chemical exposure is relatively minimal because the body surface ratio is smaller than a baby. Therefore, babies get a higher "dose" of sunscreen than older children and adults. While this exposure would most likely not cause any problems, the likelihood of an adverse reaction is greater.

2. Babies have a mildly impaired mechanism to keep cool by sweating. In addition, they have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated due to heat. Sunscreen can somewhat impair effective cooling by perspiration, so placing too much of it on an infant could be detrimental.
(Found at Parenting iVillage)

I also want to mention how to properly use sunscreen.

First, apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.

Then, reapply every two hours.

Typically you should use about 1 oz. of sunscreen per application. 1 oz. is about as much as a shot glass.
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Sources:
Parenting iVillage
Skin Cancer Foundation
Your Baby Today

Six-billion-year-old star.

We call this star the Sun.

A few months ago, I told you guys about two spots on my shoulder.

I wanted them checked and removed before going on our cruise in March.

It had been exactly 17 months since my last yearly full body check.

I was suppose to go back in October 2008 but with Emma being born in September, I couldn't make it. I had too much on my plate at the time and never made my appointment.

After calling and begging, they worked me in. It's good to know people that work in a doctors office with a two month wait time.

I hate going to these appointments. I start sweating when I pull into the parking lot. I try to lie to myself, "I am so ready for my facial treatment. Dr. J is going to make me look just like Jamie Pressly." Who am I kidding? It doesn't work. I am a wreck by the time I actually get to the window to check-in.

This visit was no different. I looked like I had been swimming by the time I made it back to the room. I had to apologize to Dr. J for my over abundance of sweat. He laughed.

Long story short... he took off the two spots on my shoulder and found another on my back.

They were exactly what I thought they were... basal cell carcinomas.

Sounds scary, right? He found 3 and in only 17 months?!

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of skin cancer. They are commonly found on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back... places with maximum sun exposure. Seldom does it spread, or metastasize.

I was lucky. I caught two of mine early and Dr. J caught the one on my back early.

He just took a razor blade and cut them off.

My reason is bringing this up? The month of May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. May is over, you say? Why, yes. Today is the first day of June. I meant to write this post all month and didn't think about it until today. Which got me thinking... every month should be skin cancer awareness month.

Get ready my friends. For the next few days, you will be seeing posts about different facts I have learned in my short 24 years. We need to educate ourselves AND our children.

Some of this stuff is interesting! Think of it as a learning experience!