BILL’S RECIPE FOR SMART SKIN HEALTH AND SUN PROTECTION
July 2024
Here are my top 12 tips to keep your skin healthy and protected so you can enjoy the summer sun responsibly. From wearing protective clothing and hats to timing your sun exposure and choosing the right sunscreen, these tips will keep your skin, eyes, and overall health protected while you soak up the sun's benefits.
1. Hats on! Wear a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap. Moms, on first sun exposure get your baby and child used to wearing a hat so their growing brain files the association: “When I’m in the sunshine my head is covered.
2. Wear sun-protecting clothes. In strong sunlight, wear a tight-weaved, fabric shirt, especially one designed to screen-out a lot of the sun’s rays.
3. Reflect on this. While at the beach, appropriately position an umbrella to protect yourself from reflected sun rays off the sand.
4. Lip it. Apply a lip balm or moisturizer with an SPF (sun protectant factor) of 15 to sun-exposed lips.
5. Respect your skin type. Fair-skinned, light complexioned, red or blond-haired and blue-eyed, and freckled persons are naturally more prone to sun damage, and therefore need to be more sun savvy.
6. Time your sun exposure. During the sunnier months, enjoy the healthy outdoors at the least sunny times of the day, usually before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Avoid unprotected sun exposure at peak hours of the day when sun rays are the most intense.
7. Don’t be sun-fooled by cloudy days. Much of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds on a hazy summer day.
8. Use sunscreens and sunblocks that are right for you. Usually an SPF of 15 will block most of the sun’s radiation. Apply the sunscreen around 30 minutes before sun exposure time to give it time to work into the skin and exert its sun-protective effects. Reapply every couple hours.
9. Enjoy short, frequent doses of sun-exposure medicines. Sun exposure is like eating healthfully: small, frequent meals is what your gut likes; short, frequent exposures to sun is what your skin likes.
10. Baby, it’s sunny outside! Excessive exposure to UV radiation can cause wear-and-tear (oxidation) on the sensitive retina and other tissues of the eye. This increases the risk of two vision problems: cataracts and macular degeneration.
11. Avoid toy sunglasses. Babies are especially eye-sensitive. Their relatively large pupils allow more damaging ultraviolet light to get in. Toy sunglasses give you a false sense of security. And, the really dark ones, can actually be even more damaging because the pupils dilate and let even more UV light enter.
- In picking sunglasses for those little peepers ophthalmologists recommend you look for glasses labeled “blocks 99 percent of UV rays” or “meets American National Standard’s Institute requirements.” Don some funky ones yourself and your child will likely want to copy.
-Dr. Bill
References
Natural Astaxanthin, Hawaii’s Supernutrient by William Sears, M.D., 2015
The UV Advantage and The Vitamin D Solution, books by Dr. Michael Holick
Yamashita, et al. (2006). “The effects of a dietary supplement containing astaxanthin on skin condition,” Carotenoid Science, Vol. 10, pp 91-95
Tominaga, K., et al. (2017). “Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration,” J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr., 61:33-39
The Neuroscience Supporting Movement in Nature (2024) by William Sears, M.D., (Nutrex.com/articles)
|
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
Consult your healthcare provider before starting a new diet, exercise, or health program. Results may vary.
Dr. Sears is a Nutrex-Hawaii ambassador.
_________________________________
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Bill Sears has been practicing medicine for over 40 years. He received his medical degree from St. Louis University and medical training at Harvard University, the University of Toronto and the National Institute of Health. Dr. Sears has been a clinical professor at the University of South Carolina, University of Southern California School of Medicine and University of Irvine School of Medicine.
Dr. Sears is the author of 45 books including nutrition and wellness titles, including The T5 Wellness Plan, Prime-Time Health, The Family Nutrition Book, The Omega-3 Effect, The Inflammation Solution, The Healthy Pregnancy Book, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, L.E.A.N. Kids, among others. He has spoken at numerous scientific conferences all over the world and has successfully motivated others to make positive health behavior changes through practical applications of simple and science-based strategies. Dr. Sears has been featured on 20/20, Dateline, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, PBS, CNN, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and Oprah.
