{"id":1202,"date":"2019-06-11T09:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmaids.com\/blog\/?p=1202"},"modified":"2019-11-14T16:15:54","modified_gmt":"2019-11-14T21:15:54","slug":"get-your-summer-essential-kit-ready-sunscreen-and-insect-repellent-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmaids.com\/blog\/get-your-summer-essential-kit-ready-sunscreen-and-insect-repellent-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Your Summer Essential Kit Ready: Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo by <\/span>Shazmyn Ali<\/span><\/a> on <\/span>Unsplash<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Although we enjoy our daily dose of \u201csunshine vitamin D\u201d the use of sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists during all days of the year\u2014even on cloudy days\u2014but especially during the summer it is essential to protect our skin from prolonged UVA, UVB, and reduce the risk of developing sun damage or skin cancer. \u00a0While outdoors, insect repellent is also essential, which prevents us from having the annoying bites and above all to prevent any infected mosquito from spreading a virus such as zika or chikungunya.<\/span><\/p>\n

SUNSCREEN<\/b><\/p>\n

What sunscreen should we use? <\/b><\/p>\n

The <\/span>American Academy of Dermatology\u00a0<\/span><\/a>recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, has an SPF 30 or higher and is water resistant. The SPF is the sun protection factor, it is a relative measure of how well a sunscreen protects against ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. But the intensity and wavelength distribution of UVB rays varies throughout the day and according to the location, this is why no matter what SPF you use, the sunscreen should be applied every two hours or immediately after contact with water or sweat. According to <\/span>Consumer Reports<\/span><\/a>, the SPF factor does not provide information on how well a sunscreen protects against UVA rays. That is why you need to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. However, no sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UVA or UVB rays. The breakdown: SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 blocks 98% and SPF 100 blocks 99%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumer Reports conducted tests in a laboratory to verify the protection of different sunscreens and found that the SPF numbers on the labels are not always a reliable measure of how much protection to obtain. That does not mean that the products are not protective at all, but you may not be getting the degree of protection you think it is. <\/span><\/p>\n

About mineral sunscreens<\/b><\/p>\n

There are reports on the health effects of the chemical ingredients of sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone. Some experts are concerned about the side effects of these chemicals once they have been absorbed through the skin. <\/span>The Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> regulates sunscreens to ensure they meet safety and efficacy standards. To improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of sunscreens, the FDA issued a<\/span> proposed rule on February 21, 2019<\/span><\/a> that describes the proposed updated requirements for sunscreens. Considering the public health benefits of using sunscreen, Americans should continue to use a sunscreen with other sun protection measures (like clothing) as this important regulatory effort advances.<\/span><\/p>\n

In pursuit of a chemical-free lifestyle, it\u2019s highly recommended to use sunscreen without these ingredients and choose one that contains active mineral ingredients, such as non-nano zinc oxide, and also practice other measures of solar protection. However, regarding the Consumer Reports mineral sunscreen tests, those that contain only titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or both as active ingredients, have been found to not provide superior protection against SPF and UVA and have a variation minimum of SPF. <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

How should we use sunscreen properly?<\/b><\/p>\n