New
Service for TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com
readers...roll mouse over, click on
highlighted links in stories to review items
from Amazon
Now, keep up to date
with daily feeds of newly posted stories
about America's Seniors...click on the box
to the left
Outsmart the
Summer Sun at any age
Newswise — The warmer
months entice people of all ages to come
forth from their winter havens - and most
need to be reminded about the importance of
sun protection. From young children to teens
to mature adults, there are dozens of simple
ways to change skin cancer prevention from a
chore into a healthy habit.
Carol Drucker, M.D.,
associate professor in the Department of
Dermatology at The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center and board-certified
dermatologist, knows sun protection is a
lifelong necessity for everyone; the earlier
individuals start, the better. From her
experience at M. D. Anderson, the nation's
top-ranked cancer center, Drucker has
considerable expertise on reducing skin
cancer risk, and has helpful summer skin
care tips for every age.
Parents of Babies and
Young Children
* Sunscreen should not
be applied to babies younger than six
months. Instead, cover babies and limit
direct exposure to the sun to the extent
possible.
* Make applying a
waterproof sunscreen part of a toddler's
routine before getting dressed every day.
"It's important to find a sunscreen that
kids can tolerate - not too heavy or greasy,
so it feels good on the skin," says Drucker.
"Parents may be surprised by how quickly
their child becomes accustomed to this daily
ritual."
* Try not to schedule
outdoor activity between the hours of 10
a.m. and 4 p.m. and seek playgrounds where
shade - from trees or awnings - is
plentiful. If your child has to be outdoors
during these hours, be sure they're
protected from the sun with a hat,
sunglasses, etc.
* Add SPF to the weekly
wash. According to Drucker, relatively
inexpensive products are available to put in
the wash to add SPF protection to normal
clothing for up to 20 washes. "This works
great for kids of all ages, including
stubborn teenagers - they won't even know
it's there."
Teens
* "Teens do especially well with products
that have built in SPF," advises Drucker.
Teen girls who wear makeup should choose
from the variety of products that include
sunscreen. "Since it fits into products they
already use, it's a painless step that
provides valuable sun protection."
* Quit tanning beds.
They emit the same harmful UV rays as
sunlight and are used at dangerous rates.
"For teens who insist on getting color, a
spray-on tan is the only safe tan," says
Drucker.
* Wear hats as a trendy
accessory. Drucker notes sun damage
frequently occurs on the face. "This season
it's easy for teens to stock up on cute,
stylish hats that will also shield their
face in the sun."
Adults
* Be aware that the window glass in cars
does not block all of the sun's harmful
rays, making the driver's left side more
prone to sun damage. Solutions Drucker
offers include applying sunscreen before
long car rides or installing shades or
specialized tinting in car windows.
* Sun-proof hair. The
top of the head becomes increasingly at risk
for sun damage as hair thins or if the hair
is parted. Style using hairsprays, shampoos
and conditioners with SPF.
* Apply sunscreen to
oft-forgotten areas - the top of ears, back
of hands, neck and toes. Drucker warns,
"These are four places that get a lot of
incidental sun exposure."
* It is little known
that wind intensifies sun damage says
Drucker. "People should be especially
careful during water sports or windy days at
the beach when the chapping and burning
effect of the wind acts as an additive to UV
rays and can increase their risk of
burning," she explains.
...
...
...