FitSugar

What's in a Word? Decoding Sunscreen Terminology

Heather Dale — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:26:58 PDT

While sunscreen companies work on rolling out their new bottle labels - thanks to the new regulations put into place by the FDA - there are still some basic sunscreen terms that are confusing to many. For instance, what's the difference between UVA and UVB? And is water-resistant just as effective as waterproof? Let's get all of our "burning" sunscreen questions answered!

SPF: SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." According to WebMD, SPF is the ability of a sunscreen to block UVB rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which can penetrate skin more deeply. The number, however, doesn't indicate how long a person can be outside in the sun before suffering from a burn. Some doctors argue that ditching your bottle of SPF 30 for a higher SPF may lead to a false sense of security about staying in the sun longer without reapplying. With the new regulations about labeling, the FDA has proposed a rule that would ban companies from labeling its sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. Research suggests that there aren't any additional benefits once the SPF gets that high.

Find out what other sunscreen terms mean.

5 Leave-In Conditioners to Protect Lil Ones' Hair From Summer's Elements

LilSugar — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:35:13 PDT

A child's skin isn't the only thing that needs protecting during the Summer. Their hair needs protection too! The sun, chlorine, and salt water can have a drying, damaging effect on hair (and the scalp) that will last long after those pool parties and family trips to the beach. Protect and nourish your lil swimmer's locks with a leave-in conditioner that adds moisture while reducing fly aways that come out with Summer's humidity.

From left to right:

So Cozy Protective Conditioning Mist with Sunscreen ($14): A leave-in conditioner with sunscreen to protect hair and scalp from the harmful effects of the sun. This hair care product is specially formulated for children 1 to 12-years-old and has a cool coconut scent.
Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner ($11): Made with natural and organic ingredients, it helps protect against sun and environmental damage. It also strengthens and improves hair structure with vegetable proteins and polymers.
Fairy Tales Coco Cabana Leave-In Sun Spray ($11): A rich conditioner in a spray pump to help keep hair conditioned and manageable. It's paraben free and contains coconut oil and jojoba.
California Baby Swimmer's Defense Hair Conditioner ($12): This conditioner contains a botanical blend of herbs, rich emollients, and natural sunscreens that combine to re-balance, repair, and rehydrate hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
Smart Girls Who Surf Care for Hair Leave-in Conditioner ($9): A leave-in conditioner and protein-infused detangler, specially formulated with vitamins and has SPF 7 sunscreen to protect the hair and scalp from the sun. It's paraben and oil free, and has a light kiwi scent.

Skin Saving Protection From Summer's Harsh Rays

LilSugar — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:45:40 PDT

Take cover! A significant percentage of our exposure to sun occurs by age 18, and with Summer in full swing, beaches, pools, and other outdoor activities rule the day. While avoiding the sun completely just isn't an option for most families, Mr. Golden Sun's dangerous UV rays can be avoided with the right accessories. Infants' thin skin and underdeveloped melanin can cause their skin to burn faster than older kids. To celebrate UV Safety Awareness Month, we're looking beyond sunscreen and the rash guard for the best products to protect even the littlest tots' precious skin now, and throughout the year.

Clockwise from top left: Speedo Hydrospex Kids Goggle ($10), Coolibar UPF 50+ Infant Chlorine Resistant Bucket Sun Hat ($19), i play Long Sleeve Rashguards ($12), Julbo Infant Looping Sunglasses, 0-18 months ($30), Breakers UV Sun Protective Two Piece Swimsuit for Infant/Toddler Boys (UPF 50+) ($40), Coolibar UPF 50+ Child Swim Sun Sleeve ($40).

4 Ways to Protect Your Hair From the Summer Sun

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:15:00 PDT

Reader dreamalittledream recently asked for tips on keeping her newly colored hair from fading in the sun in the BellaSugar Q and A group in the Bella Community. It's a great question, because while we're sure you're in the habit of applying sunscreen to your face and body, perhaps the hair doesn't get the SPF protection it might need, too. So, to find out how to help keep your coiffure from fading and frying this season, just keep reading.

Did You Get Sunburned This Memorial Day Weekend?

Heather Dale — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:35:48 PDT

Did you know that last Friday was "Don't Fry Day"? Created by health experts, the Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend has been dubbed this punny name to raise awareness about the hazards related to overexposure to sunlight, since the three-day weekend marks the "unofficial beginning of Summer."

The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. And according to Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Air and Radiation, "Many people still do not realize that unprotected sun exposure can lead to skin cancer and other health problems." Skin cancer affects more than two million Americans each year. That's more than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined, says the EPA.

Knowledge is power so brush up on the four warning signs of skin cancer, and also note that the use of tanning beds before the age of 30 can increase your risk of skin cancer by 75 percent.

To protect yourself from harmful UV rays, you should try to stay out of direct sunlight during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; cover up by wearing hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved-shirts; wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher; and stay in a shaded spot or take an umbrella with you to the beach. And if you do happen to get burned, in the latest issue of The Oprah Magazine, Dr. Oz says you can sponge your burn with cooled chamomile tea, since it contains great anti-inflammatory properties.

Find Your Skin's Famous Twin

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:00:27 PDT

Here's a fun and easy way to learn a little bit more about your skin type: the Skin Cancer Foundation has come up with a short Facebook quiz to help you determine which celebrities are your "skin twins," or have undertones and sun care needs most like yours.

The quiz uses the Fitzpatrick skin sensitivity scale to determine your skin type. (Fitzpatrick isn't our preferred measure, because it doesn't offer as many options for deeper skin tones, but it's still the industry standard.) After you answer a few questions, it then tells you which stars have skin that resembles yours, along with info on what you should be doing to protect yourself from skin cancer risk. It only takes a few seconds to fill out, and who doesn't want to be told that she has something in common with Penelope Cruz?

Do You Really Need SPF 100 Sunscreen?

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:35:37 PDT

When it comes to exercising, there's strength in numbers, but that's not necessarily true about sunscreen. When comparing your bottle of SPF 50 to one that's labeled SPF 100, you might get the impression that your sunscreen is inadequate. Florida dermatologist and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) spokesman James M. Spencer, MD, explained to Web MD "SPF is not a consumer-friendly number. It is logical for someone to think that an SPF of 30 is twice as good as an SPF of 15, and so on, but that is not how it works."

To find out if sunscreens with higher SPF offer more protection

read more. According to WebMD, SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block UVB rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which are linked to skin damage. The number doesn't indicate how long a person can be outside in the sun before suffering from a burn. To give you an idea of what the numbers mean, an SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 94 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, SPF 50 blocks 98 percent, and SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. No sunscreen is a 100 percent guarantee, and some doctors argue that ditching your bottle of 30 or 50 for a higher SPF could lead to a false sense of security about staying in the sun longer without reapplying. Dermatologists suggest that rather than becoming obsessed about the SPF number, it's more important to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen (one that protects against both UVB and UVA rays), and to focus on wearing enough. A full shot glass of the stuff should do the trick. Lube up 20 to 30 minutes before heading out and be sure to reapply every two hours.

What Do You Know About Treating a Sunburn?

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:01:35 PDT

When it comes to sunburn, the best advice is to avoid getting one in the first place. But if you do get overexposed, what's the best way to deal? There's a lot of advice out there about sunburn, but not all of it's accurate. Do you know how to minimize your pain and redness after a burn? Take this quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

5 Ways to Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:30:43 PDT

You might like being golden brown from a tan, but prolonged sun exposure can have serious risks that go beyond a sunburn. The most common form of cancer is skin cancer, which is a shame since it's highly preventable. Fortunately it's also very treatable, although deaths still do occur from the disease. In honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, here are five easy ways to keep yourself safe from the disease.

Protect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself - With Cheap Sunblock!

BellaTV — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:20:56 PDT

Using SPF is a no brainer, but before you splurge on that expensive sunblock, consider buying drugstore brands as well. Annie shares insider information in this video on why it's just as important to use cheap sunblock on a daily basis. This is a summer tip-off you won’t want to miss!