Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2011 - (Page 30)

Suncare and uV Protection This time of year the UV Index levels are on the rise. We would like to discuss precautions and practices, starting with sunscreen. For paddling and other performance water sports, use a sunscreen that is a minimum of SPF 15, ideally an SPF 30, is rated at 'very water resistant' and 'very sweat resistant', has zinc or titanium dioxide, and ideally has a combination of organic and inorganic 'active ingredients'. Use a face specific sunscreen for your face; apply approximately 1 ounce of sunscreen, 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours. sunsCreen ingredienTs: ACTive And inACTive There are currently 17 'active' ingredients (the ones that protect you) approved by the FDA for use in sunscreen. Only two, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are natural. These ingredients fall into two broad categories: organic sunscreens, also referred to as 'chemical', work by absorbing UV radiation before it penetrates the skin. inorganic sunscreens, commonly referred to as 'mineral' or 'physical', typically work by reflecting or scattering UV radiation. Inorganic sunscreens, namely zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are insoluble in water, thus making them a good choice for water sports. Selecting a sunscreen with a mix of organic and inorganic ingredients is highly recommended. Combined in the same product, they provide a two-pronged approach to broad UV spectrum protection. Chart 1 lists the 17 active ingredients for use in sunscreens in the US, as well as the UV range they cover. The other, inactive ingredients, typically found in sunscreen are emollients, emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives and those added for nutritional value such as vitamins, minerals, essential oils, etc. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of how well a sunscreen can protect skin from UVB rays. In theory, SPF indicates how much longer it will take your skin to burn, compared to if you were not wearing sunscreen at all. For example, if you skin starts to redden or burn within 10 minutes of exposure, in theory, an SPF 15 product should protect you for about 150 minutes. However the accuracy of SPF to determine a sunscreen's effectiveness is you Will be TesTed, by The sun the amount of UVA protection provided. In light of this, know which active ingredients provide UVA protection, and ensure at least one or more are in your sunscreen. WATer And sWeAT resisTAnCe Gotta have it. The only two claims achievable and allowed for labeling by FDA standards are 'water and sweat resistant', and 'very water and sweat resistant'. In a nut shell, these claims are achieved by testing sunscreens on subjects immersed in water (typically hot tubs, or Jacuzzis) performing moderate activity for 20 minute intervals. A water and 'sweat resistant' rating can be obtained after 40 minutes of immersion, and 'very water' and 'very sweat resistant' after 80 minutes, as long as the claimed SPFs are maintained during and at conclusion of testing. So in theory, a 'very water resistant' sunscreen should protect you for at least 80 minutes in the water swimming, paddling, etc. geT iT on enough And frequenTly One of the biggest issues related to sunscreen’s effectiveness is applying too little, too late and not frequently enough. Here are your application guidelines. Apply approximately one ounce of sunscreen, enough for the whole body including the face, 15-30 minutes prior to going in the sun. Reapply every two-hours. One note on dosage amount, use the one ounce as a good start point, as some sunscreens that are cream or a wax based, require less application amounts compared to a lotion or liquid. About Face? Have you ever had sunscreen run in your eyes? Well that is because you should be wearing a face specific sunscreen on your face. Most body sunscreens, in liquid or lotion form, will run in your eyes once you start sweating or are in the water. On the other hand, most face specific sunscreens typically have a natural or petroleum wax base, and are formulated to not migrate into your eyes. nuTriTionAl vAlue One last thing to consider is the amount of 'good stuff' inside the product that will nourish you skin This is important for people like you who are exposed to the wind, salt water, and other elements for prolonged periods of time. Many sunscreens on the market contain some aloe vera and some vitamin E, but others go well beyond the call. highly dependent on variables including skin type and the environment. Case in point, if you are in the water swimming or sweating excessively, and the sunscreen you are using does not have a water/sweat resistance factor, that theoretical 150 minutes can be reduced significantly. The TruTh in numbers There has been a lot of buzz in the industry about producing sunscreens with SPFs up to 100. In all actuality, SPF 30 is about as good as it gets. Beyond SPF 30, the amount of protection is minute. SPF 15 provides about 93 percent protection from UVB Rays, SPF 30 approximately 97 percent protection, SPF 50 approximately 98 percent protection. Also, the SPF scale is not linear, so an SPF 80 does not provide twice as much protection as an SPF 40. We recommend selecting an SPF 30, and spending more attention on factors such as water resistance, and added nutritional value of ingredients. It is important to note that SPF is only a UVB rating, and does not address effectiveness against UVA rays. At this time, no criteria exist in the U.S. for measuring and labeling the UVA protection a sunscreen provides. The FDA has been working on such standards and plans to introduce UVA standards within the next few years. The FDA’s intent is to use a 'star rating' system with a 1-4 star rating to identify John O'Malley, President, Chief Motivator and Inspirator, Planet Sun Comprehensive Sun care and UV Protection 30 pacific paddler June 2011 http://www.planetsunhawaii.com/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2011

Contents
Kauai World Challenge
Molo Solo
Molokai Relay
Q&A with Kai Bartlett
Kala'iomalulani
OluKai Ho’olaule’a
Battle of the Paddle
SCORA's safety net
Primo Boys wild adventure
Suncare and UV Protection
Got lactate?
Maui to Molokai
Eono Hoe
Calendar
Tavaru Sailing Canoe voyage

Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2011