FitSugar

Tomatoes For Sunburn?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Tomatoes might just be my favorite "veggie that is really a fruit." And now I have yet another reason to love them. It appears that eating tomatoes can improve the skins ability to protect against UV rays, which can cause premature aging of the skin as well as skin cancer. Although the study was quite small, involving only 20 volunteers, the results are promising. Ten volunteers ate 55 grams (just shy of two ounces) of tomato paste with 10 grams of olive oil daily, while another 10 volunteers ate 10 grams of olive oil daily. After three months, the tomato group had 33 percent more protection against sunburn (like wearing a very low factor sunscreen) and considerably higher levels of procollagen, which gives the skin its structure and keeps it firm.

Researchers believe that the antioxidant lycopene gives tomatoes their healthy edge. Good news is that concentrations of lycopene increase when tomatoes are cooked. So bring on the red sauce!

Source

Get in Gear: Bolle Sport Sunglasses

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Sunglasses are a must anytime of year, but especially in the summer when we spend so much time outdoors. If you run, hike, bike, or spend time on the water, you need a pair that will stay on your face even if you're sweaty, wearing sunscreen, or it's windy.

I found a line from Bolle called Serpent - it's a wrap around style so they fit snug against your face. They also have non-slip thermogrip material on the ends by your ears that prevents them from slipping off, and the same rubbery material on the nose pads. You can choose to have polarized lenses or not, but all the lenses are made of polycarbonate. This means they are lightweight, thin, offer UV protection, are durable and scratch-resistant.

This Serpent style comes in many different color combinations, so if you don't like the ones shown, you can choose a different variation. While I think most polarized sunglasses are overpriced, but you can get a pair of these from Bolle for under $100.

How to Solve 3 Common Beach Photography Problems

Anna Monette Roberts — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:12:12 PDT

A day at the beach is the perfect chance to capture carefree memories, but the brightness of the sun reflecting off the sand and water doesn't often yield the best photographic results. Before you start snapping away, take a look at three common beach photography problems and simple ways you can avoid them.

The photos are overexposed: Auto mode can overexpose photos, making them appear washed out. Experiment with the camera's manual setting. First set the camera's ISO (the setting that controls the camera's sensitivity to light) to a low number, like 100. A low ISO setting is best for bright lighting. Set it to a higher number, like 400, when shooting moving objects. Next, change the white balance, and set it to daylight, shade, or cloudy-twilight-sunset, depending on the weather.

The pics are boring: Transform a shot of the sea by finding a point of interest to focus on, whether it's a rock, crashing wave, setting sun, or flying bird. The object breaks up an otherwise basic-looking landscape. Frame the pic using the rule of thirds, and include the horizon of the beach in the background to give the photo depth.

The pics have a weird bluish lighting: Try attaching a few filters to the camera. A UV filter will remove the fog effect that is caused from UV rays, and it helps protect the lens from sun damage. Experiment with a polarizing filter to reduce the glare from water and to darken the bright blue hues of the sky. It can be used occasionally, depending on the effect you are hoping to achieve.

Don't Be Shady! How to Choose the Right Sunglasses For Eye Health

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:19:22 PDT

Sunglasses aren't just for complementing your bikini while you lounge on the beach. They're a must for protecting your eyes from UV damage. Sunglasses also shield the eyelids and the skin around your eyes, helping to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer. But before you run out and drop a small fortune on a pair, here are some things to consider.

UV protection is most important: UV rays can damage the eyes causing cataracts, benign growths on the eye's surface, and snow blindness, a temporary and painful sunburn of the eye. As mentioned above, it can also lead to skin cancer around the eye, so make sure your pair guarantees 100 percent UV protection.
Polarized lenses have nothing to do with UV protection: Polarized lenses act as a filter to absorb light waves, which helps to reduce glare that bounces off smooth surfaces like pavement or water. While they're great for offering clearer vision in extreme sun, being labeled "polarized" has nothing to do with how well they protect the eyes.

Keep reading to find out what else to think about when buying sunglasses.

What We're Sweet On: The Gloss That Looks Good on Everyone

Jaime Richards — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:32:00 PDT

Some lip glosses are so waxy, your lips feel as if they're suffocating, while others are so shiny, they practically blind the person standing next to you. Such is not the case with Intelligent Nutrients' Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss in Pink Hibiscus ($24). Free of synthetic waxes and oils (and fragrance and colorants), the subtly tinted gloss lends just a hint of sheen to the lips. And the touch-of-pink hue is the perfect shade to reach for when you want a more minimalistic makeup look - or when you want low-key lips to complement an intensely heavy smoky eye.

Certified organic, Lip Delivery is loaded with antioxidant-rich cranberries, purple corn, and blueberries. Beeswax, carnauba wax, and cocoa butter ingredients moisturize, while shea butter lends a bit of natural protection from the sun's UV rays. A built-in brush makes application all the more smooth, but perhaps the biggest treat is its sweet and tart flavor, a blend of caramel, vanilla, raspberry, agave, and coconut. You'll keep going back to this smooth operator again and again.

Be Wary of Chemicals: The Safest Sunscreens on the Market

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:42:05 PDT

It's hard enough to remember to put on sunscreen when you leave the house, but now you also need to make sure your sunscreen is safe to use. The Environmental Working Group has just released its 2012 Sunscreen Guide, and in order to make the list, a sunscreen must be free of oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate, not have an SPF above 50, and must be broad spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays).

What's wrong with oxybenzone? Although it does a great job of absorbing ultraviolet rays, some studies show that it can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. The Environmental Working Group and toxicology experts believe this can disrupt hormones, damage cells, and potentially lead to skin cancer. Other experts disagree, like the American Academy of Dermatology, and oxybenzone has been FDA-approved since 1978 for use in children older than 6 months.

Keep reading to find out what else you need to consider when buying sunscreen, and for a list of the safest sunscreens on the market.

Do You Go to Tanning Salons?

Leta Shy — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:08:12 PDT

We all know tanning is bad, but that doesn't stop many Americans from soaking up the sun. A new survey from the Centers for Disease Control shows that a high number of people either visit a tanning salon regularly or have experienced a sunburn within the past year.

The study found that one-third of white women between 18 and 21 years old said they tanned at least once in the last year, on an average of 28 times during the past 12 months. And even if they're not seeking out UV rays indoors, many Americans aren't adequately protecting themselves from the sun; the report also said that half of adults under 30 said they got at least one sunburn within the past year, meaning that many people take a more casual approach to protecting themselves from the sun.

Getting enough vitamin D is important, of course, but so is protecting yourself from the harmful rays, no matter if you're on the beach or on your lunch break. Tell us, are you a tanner?

What We're Sweet On: Hard-Core SPF For Daily Makeup Wearers

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

Algenist's Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 ($38) packs all the punch of a heavy-duty sunscreen, but without the tacky texture or the telltale scent. Chock-full of alguronic acid (the brand's magic ingredient), skin is regenerated at a cellular level and protected against environmental stressors. And thanks to its easy-to-spread consistency, the weightless fluid is ideal for under-makeup wear. Plus, it's oil-free, so you don't have to worry about it making you shine for all the wrong reasons. Finally, you can get daily UVA and UVB coverage, all while avoiding an unfortunate T-zone oil slick situation.

You Really, Really Need a Cool Hat This Spring . . . Here's Why

Hannah Weil — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:06:58 PDT

A cool hat is a necessity this Spring, judging by the plethora of celebs donning them and the breathtaking variety you'll find in stores. There's also the functional bonus of skin protection, as a good hat will be your best friend in keeping those UV rays at bay. Whether you're seeking shade with a wide-brimmed topper à la Beyoncé or polishing off your city-slick style with a fedora like Elizabeth Olsen, the effect is easy to pull off and incredibly chic. Click on for 10 trendsetting stars who make a great case for wearing hats this season.

Caffeine Combined With Exercise Reduces Skin Cancer Risk, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:20:25 PDT

Warm, sunny weather is not too far away, and with it means spending more time outdoors. Of course protecting yourself from UV rays is your best defense against skin cancer, but a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) suggests exercise combined with caffeine consumption could cut your skin cancer risk. This news couldn't come at a better time considering sunburns coupled with indoor tanning has made skin cancer more prevalent than ever among young adults.

The exercise and caffeine study was conducted using mice bred to be at high risk of developing skin cancer. After being exposed to UV radiation, the mice were split into four groups. One group was given plain water and no exercise wheel (the controls), another group had water mixed with caffeine and no exercise wheel, a third group had plain water and an exercise wheel, while the fourth group had water mixed with caffeine and an exercise wheel.

The results? After 14 weeks of treatment, the mice given both exercise and caffeine had 62 percent fewer nonmelanoma skin tumors, and the tumors they did have were much smaller than the mice in the other groups. Exercise and caffeine on their own did have positive effects, but not as much as when the two were combined.

This is not the first study to illustrate the benefits of caffeine combined with exercise. Previous studies have already suggested drinking caffeine can improve your endurance when working out - perhaps another reason to grab a cup of joe before hitting the gym.