By Melita Horvat |
Sun safety tips for mothers and infants |
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Lately, we have been bombarded with disturbing reports detailing the damaging effects of sun exposure or ultraviolet (UV) rays on our skin.
The rising incidence rates of melanoma have triggered an increased fear of sun exposure.
Although caution should definitely be exercised when being exposed to the sun for extended periods, we should also bear in mind that the sun is the ultimate source of life on Earth and a potent natural healer.
Scientific studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of sunlight on human body and its aid in the treatment of various health conditions.
Moderate and controlled sun exposure combined with the use of natural sunscreens will provide your body with all the health benefits of sunlight, without causing harmful side effects.
Choose natural sunscreens
As the first warm sunny days occur, most people tend to roam the drug stores in search of the appropriate broadspectrum sunscreens, with a high sun protection factor. This is due to the widespread fear of harmful UV rays.
However, how much do we really know about the ingredients in the sunscreens we tend to apply so obsessively?
Did you know that many sunscreens actually contain harmful chemicals that are readily absorbed into your bloodstream and body through your skin?
In 2014, the consumer protection organization Environmental Working Group (EWG) issued a report that has significantly helped raise awareness of the importance of using natural sunscreens.
According to the EWG's findings, 75 percent of the tested sunscreens (2000 sun creams and lotions were reviewed) contained harmful and potentially dangerous chemicals.
Some of the dangerous ingredients include: aminobenzoic acid, avobenzone, diazolidinyl urea, ecamsule, methylparaben, cinoxate, oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, sulisobenzone, homosalate, menthyl anthranilate, methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, octocrylene and others.
Many of these chemicals have been proven carcinogenic and increase the risk of developing skin cancer and other forms of this malignant disease.
Some of them may have a negative impact on liver function, brain function, neurosystem and endocrine system.
Others may cause allergic reactions, eye and skin irritations.
Do not trust the commercial sunscreen industry, but rather rely on natural and safe sun care products and ingredients.
A reliable natural alternative to toxic sunscreens may involve :
- raspberry seed oil (SPF 28 to 50)
- red raspberry oil (SPF 25 to 50)
- carrot seed oil (SPF 38 to 40)
- hazelnut oil (SPF 10 to 30)
- wheat germ oil (SPF 20)
- soybean oil (SPF 10)
- macadamia oil (SPF 6)
- jojoba oil (SPF 4)
- sesame oil (SPF 2 to 4)
- shea butter oil (SPF 3 to 6)
- coconut oil (SPF 2 to 8)
- olive oil (SPF 2 to 8)
- avocado oil (SPF 4 to 15)
- ricinus oil (SPF 6)
- almond oil (SPF 5)
Provide adequate sun protection for your children
With the arrival of spring and summer, children are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Their soft and delicate skin is more sensitive to sun damage than the skin of an adult.
It is important to keep younger infants out of direct sunlight. You should also limit your child's sun exposure when the sun's rays are most intense, between midday hours of 10am and 4pm.
It is also essential to apply and reapply natural and safe protective sunscreens.
You may make such a sunscreen at home, following our simple recipe.
Natural sunscreen for kids
Ingredients:
- 100 ml almond oil
- 50 ml coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax (if you don't have any, you may leave the wax out, but in that case the lotion won't possess appropriate density)
- 20 drops carrot seed oil
Directions:
Melt the beeswax, add some oil and stir well. Remove the mixture from heat and let it rest and cool.
Pour it into a glass jar and keep in the fridge.
Homemade after sun moisturizer
Homemade after sun moisturizer is yet another simple but extremely effective and useful natural skin care recipe you may try at home.
Use it as a soothing deep skin care after sun lotion.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon beeswax (for density)
- 40 ml shea butter
- 40 ml coconut oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil or some other oil of your choice
Note: Try to avoid citrus essential oils due to their phototoxicity.
Directions:
Melt the beeswax, add the shea butter and coconut oil and stir well. Remove from heat, let it cool a bit, then add some essential oil and pour into a glass jar. Store in the fridge.
Apply like any other sunscreen.
Use the lotion within six months.
Melanoma prevention guidelines: How to reduce your risk of melanoma
Moderate sun exposure is not only recommended as an effective means of skin protection but it is also crucial in the prevention of melanoma.
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of skin cells and constitutes the most deadly type of skin cancer.
It begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin that colours the skin, hair and eyes.
According to research there are factors that may increase your risk of melanoma. These include:
- having many moles on your body (more than 100 ordinary moles)
- having atypical, unusually shaped moles (irregular, asymetric)
- fair complexion, light hair and light coloured eyes
- excessive sun exposure and solarium use
- sunburn
- a family history of melanoma or some other type of skin cancer
The statistics show that the number of newly diagnosed melanoma cases has been increasing, both in Croatia and worlwide.
This type of malignant tumor affects both sexes equally.
Melanoma usually occurs between 40 and 60 years of age, but it may also develop among children and adolescents.
Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer prevention
Prevention, regular skin self-exams, recognizing changes in your skin and an annual visit to your dermatologist may be vital in the fight against this vicious disease.
Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer prevention involve several steps:
- understanding melanoma risk factors
- comprehending the importance of regular skin self-exam
- adequate natural sun protection
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