Sun Safe, Sun Wise

In the first part of this blog we looked at:

·         different types of UV rays emitted by the sun

·         the importance of Vitamin D

·         what SPFs are

Both UVA and UVB rays impair our skin’s immunity and, in combination with the formation of free radicals by UV light, this presents a real danger of skin cancer developing. 

Here we’ll explore what free radicals are and the importance of including antioxidants in our daily defence against them – which means a healthier way to go out in the sun and enjoy it whenever and wherever we can. Despite the lack of English summer!

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage and possibly some diseases. These molecules have lost an electron or don’t have a paired set and this abnormality makes them very unstable; therefore they look to take an electron from another chemical in order to stablise. This sets up a reaction and a snowball effect, which wreaks havoc on healthy tissue, and causes many damaged chemicals. 

The best example of free radical damage is rust on an iron object. Thanks to the work of Dr Denham Harman in the 1950s, we now know humans can also rust!

Dr Harman was the originator of the free radical theory of aging. The concept that free radicals were involved with the deterioration of human biochemistry was the biggest advance since the discovery of germs, and goes beyond the aging process. Free radicals are now known to be involved with cancer, heart disease, arthritis and perhaps as many as 80 diseases not caused by "germs".

Damage by free radicals has been linked to premature ageing and wrinkling. Collagen and elastin are compromised, causing our skin to be less resilient and more wrinkled. Damage to the DNA of skin cells is responsible for mutations altering melanin production.

I should point out that Dr Harman is now in his 90s and still working in his laboratory, whereas many of those who criticised his work are now dead!!!

Sunscreens 

In the first part of our sun safe blog we looked at Environ’s RAD sunscreen and explained it’s broad spectrum (it protects against both UVA and UVB) with a lower SPF to minimise the amount of chemicals needed.

When a sunscreen’s applied, the energy of the UV rays is ‘mopped up’ according to its wavelength. Sunscreens can mop up UVB energy easier than UVA. 

RAD is approximately 80% reflective and 20% absorbent. Reflective sunscreens sit on the top of the skin and reflect UV rays away. Sun reflection is more effective than chemical absorption; however some rays will still penetrate and damage our skin. 

The rays which have penetrated are then absorbed by the chemical sunscreens. During this process the sunscreen itself can, in fact, become a free radical.

Free radicals and antioxidants

Antioxidants form a vital part of our daily defence against free radicals. We should use a brigade of both oral and topical antioxidants to work in different phases so when a free radical develops, the antidote is right there. 

The greatest free radical challenge occurs in our skin every day, as it’s our largest organ and it’s what protects us from our environment (see my first skin blog). Oral antioxidants can’t get high levels directly to the skin so sun-exposed skin needs topically applied antioxidant protection to allow us to stop this free radical challenge as quickly as possible. There’s no time to call in the brigades!

Antioxidants don’t block UV rays entering the skin; they’re beneficial within sunscreens as they stabilise free radicals.

RAD was unique as it was the first sunscreen to contain antioxidants. It was developed in 1991 and it wasn’t until 2011 that another company brought out a sunscreen with antioxidants. The antioxidants will mop up the free radicals created as the chemicals absorb UV rays as well as the free radicals created by UV rays themselves.

Skin Defender from the Advanced Nutrition Programme contains nine separate antioxidants together with immune system support to sustain and speed up growth, repair and renewal, and enhance natural sun protection. Used in conjunction with RAD, Skin Defender protects cells from radiation and protects against sunburn. 

I will talk more about oral antioxidants in my blog on beauty food.

Exercise sunscreen caution

Sunscreen use should be practised with caution. Some chemicals in sunscreens inhibit the release of chemicals responsible for pinkness of the skin following UV exposure, and so people believe they’ve been fully protected. In reality the Langerhans cells (responsible for skin immunity) have been damaged and sunburn cells have developed. 

Worldwide the greatest increase in melanoma has been in countries where sunscreens have been heavily promoted like Queensland, Australia, where the medical establishment has vigorously highlighted sun safety (Garland, Cedric F., et al American Journal of Public Health, April 1992).  Drs Cedric and Frank Garland of the University of California have pointed out that while sunscreens protect against sunburn, there’s no scientific proof they protect against melanoma or basal cell carcinoma in humans.

Finally, the lady responsible for testing and rating sunscreens in South Africa actually uses RAD herself! That in itself is testament for what a great product RAD actually is.

All together, this highlights the importance of adopting a multi-faceted approach – feed your skin with the vitamins and antioxidants it needs, both topically and orally, protect your skin with both RAD and Skin Defender and, of course, practise safe sun! 

Call us or pop in and see us and we’ll explain more about the Environ range of products.

And don’t forget to send us in your favourite sunbathing photos, showing how you’re practising safe sun, via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.